I will make of thee a great nation, &c.— In these two verses the twofold covenant, or promise, is comprised. See note on ch. Genesis 9:9. 1st, The temporal one, in which God promises to make of Abram a great nation, "to multiply his posterity, and to render them famous; and by that means to make his name great, and himself both blessed and a blessing to others:" particulars, which have been eminently fulfilled, as in others of Abram's descendants, so peculiarly in the Israelites; while he was himself peculiarly prosperous. His name has been, and is famous throughout the world, among Jews and Gentiles, among Christians and Mahometans. Nay, God promises to espouse his interest, and enters, as it were, into a league with him, to have the same common friends and enemies, I will bless them that bless thee, &c. Hence, Abram has that high and honourable title, the Friend of God, Isaiah 8:2 nd, But farther still, as to the spiritual covenant, God promises, that in him, not only his immediate descendant, and posterity, but all families of the earth shall be blessed; which the apostle, Galatians 3:16 has referred to Christ, in whom alone indeed it can be fulfilled, and in whom it is eminently fulfilled. "This part of the promise," says Bishop Warburton, "is remarkable, as containing the proper end of God's choice and separation of him and his posterity, and so is very fitly made, by the sacred writer, the foundation of the history of God's dispensations to him, and a mark to direct the reader to what they are all ultimately to be referred."
Thus was Abram required and encouraged to cast himself wholly upon God's providence, by removing, at God's command, from his country and kindred, to an unknown, distant land, which God would shew him, assuring him of his presence and special blessing. Thus the Lord took him under his immediate care and protection. In this strange land he wandered about as long as he lived, but God was with him every where; God appeared to him and conversed with him, frequently and familiarly; by extraordinary interpositions and express declarations, from time to time, encouraging, directing, prospering, and guarding him. He became very rich, great, and honourable; but all was most visibly the gift and operation of God! What could be more engaging than all these circumstances! What more proper to excite in a man duty, affection, and confidence towards the Almighty!
REFLECTIONS.—Observe, God appeared unto Abram in Ur of the Chaldees, and warned him out of that land. In obedience to the heavenly vision, he had come as far as Charran or Haran, where his father died, and now he must proceed on his journey. Though not knowing whither he went, he followed God, and then he knew he was safe. Note; God will not suffer his people to take up their rest any where short of heaven: if they are making a home of the house of their pilgrimage, he will warn them to remove. We have here,
1. God's command to Abram; and a trying one it was: to leave his country, to part with his dearest friends, and to follow God, without so much as asking him whither he would lead him: but it was a matter become highly necessary. He dwelt in an idolatrous house; it was time for him to fly, lest he should be infected with their sins. Now must he prove his faith in, and love of God, by an implicit obedience, and a cheerful forsaking all to follow God. Behold, in the conduct of Abram, the duty of every faithful soul. (1.) To give himself entirely to be guided by the word of God. (2.) To renounce his dearest relations, and to become strange to his own house, when the glory of the Redeemer requires it. (3.) To part with the world always in affection, and to live in it with a disposition to leave it, or lose it cheerfully, whenever God calls. (4.) To forsake the ways of sin, and the companions in sin, and to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. (5.) To make no hesitation about the consequences, but to leave them in God's hands.
2. God's promise to encourage him. He requires nothing from him, but he will amply repay him for it: but for this he must be trusted. Accordingly, here is every imaginable blessing set before Abram. (1.) He should become a great nation. (2.) God would make his name great: though he was a stranger and unknown, his fame should rise above the kings of the earth. (3.) He should be a blessing to all around him; and the latest ages should call him blessed, and be the better for him. (4.) God would bless his friends and curse his enemies; so that the Lord would, as it were, share his weal and woe with him, and be his portion and shield. And, (5.) Above all, from him should the Messiah come, to bless all nations.
Note; 1. The heirs of Abram's faith shall inherit his blessing. (1.) They shall be great, made kings unto God. (2.) Their name shall be written in the Lamb's book of life. (3.) God will be the friend of their friends, and the enemy of their enemies. The enemies of the people of God little think against whom they sport themselves. (4.) He will make them blessed in Jesus to all eternity, and sharers with Abram in the Canaan of everlasting rest. 2. The salvation of the gospel is a common salvation for all families and all nations; God excludes none, who do not exclude themselves: whoever will, let him come. 3. When we reckon up our losses and gains for God, we shall find the one nothing, and less than nothing, and vanity: the other, a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.