_The Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God: walk before Me, and be thou perfect_ WALKING BEFORE GOD In a certain sense we must all walk before God, whether in solitude or among the haunts of men. But it is open to us to realize His presence, or to dismiss it from our mi... [ Continue Reading ]
_My covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations_ THE SECOND STAGE OF THE COVENANT Already Jehovah, the Covenant God, had appeared thrice to Abram. 1. Simply to assure him that he should be blessed, and become a blessing Genesis 12:7). 2. To give him the promise of a numerou... [ Continue Reading ]
_Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee_ SPIRITUAL PARENTAGE I. The change of name here made was founded on a change of character. II. His fatherhood of Isaac was in consequence of special Divine interposition; and the fact is c... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will establish My covenant between Me and thee, and thy seed after thee_ THE FAITHFUL COVENANTER The communion and fellowship of man with God, was first founded on a covenant of works made with Adam in Paradise. But this fellowship being placed in man’s own freedom, and having so weak a foundat... [ Continue Reading ]
_Every man child among you shall be circumcised_ THE COVENANT SEAL I. ITS SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE. 1. It taught the natural depravity of man. 2. It taught the necessity of purification. 3. It taught regeneration. 4. It taught that God’s people are to be distinguished from the children of this w... [ Continue Reading ]
_As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah_ THE CLEARER REVELATION OF COVENANT BLESSINGS In God’s spiritual dealings with mankind the patience of faith is rewarded by a clearer discovery of His will. Obedience is the way to knowledge. The darkness in which faith commenc... [ Continue Reading ]
_My covenant will I establish with Isaac_ ISAAC, A TYPE OF CHRIST 1. He is born in a miraculous manner. He was the child given by promises, and came not in the ordinary course of nature. So Christ was long promised and miraculously born. 2. He was the son of the house, while all others were his... [ Continue Reading ]
_In the self-same day was Abraham circumcised, and Ishmael his son_ OBEDIENCE TO THE DIVINE VOICE I. PROMPT. 1. To delay is to despise God’s authority. 2. It is safest to act upon moral impulses immediately. II. UNQUESTIONING. God’s will is both law and reason. III. COMPLETE. A particular and... [ Continue Reading ]