Genesis 17:1-275. Fifth Manifestation of God to Abraham (Genesis 17:1-27) This appearance of God to the patriarch is for the sake of emphasizing the promised blessing of a seed and a land, particular reference being made to the seed. There was need of just such encouragement as was conveyed in this theophany to Abraham, for over twenty years had passed since the covenant in Genesis 15:1-21, and thirteen years since the birth of Ishmael. There had apparently been no word from God regarding his promised son and heir during these years, and Abraham is now about ninety-nine years old. Naturally the obstacles in the way of fulfillment of the promise of a seed that should be as numberless as the sands and the stars were bigger than ever. Satan himself would be very active in seeking to put doubt into the mind of Abraham, especially in connection with the line of the promised seed. It is for this reason, doubtless, that the name “El Shaddi,” which means the “ all-sufficient, self-sufficient, almighty God,” is the name given to Jehovah in this manifestation. The promise in this vision includes multitudes of people (Genesis 17:6), kings and princes (Genesis 17:16; Genesis 17:20). God would have Abraham know that His power and ability to fulfill His promise is absolutely unlimited. This is a lesson we, too, need to learn. There are seven things of which God is independent: First-Of numbers. One with God is a majority. One shall chase a thousand, and two shall put ten thousand to flight (cf. Leviticus 26:8; Deuteronomy 32:30; Judges 7:4-7; 2 Kings 7:3-7). Second-Of money, wealth, and property. The silver is His and the gold is His (cf. 1 Kings 17:12; Haggai 2:8). Third-Of time. What it would take a man a hundred or a thousand years to accomplish, God can do in a moment or a day (cf. Psalms 90:4; Isaiah 66:8; 2 Peter 3:8). Fourth-Of man’ s wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:20-21; 1 Corinthians 2:6-8). Fifth-Of human power (Psalms 2:1-12; Jeremiah 32:17; Zechariah 4:6; Daniel 2:20-22). Sixth-Of natural law, that is, of the ordinary operation of natural forces (Exodus 14:22 -The Red Sea; Daniel 3:19-25 -The fiery furnace; Daniel 6:22 -The lions’ den). Seventh-Of all ordinary means (2 Corinthians 7:6; 2 Corinthians 13:3-5). The previous promise in connection with the Promised Land is increased-it is to be an everlasting possession. The covenant is not only with Abraham and his seed, but with their children forever. A sign of circumcision is given, not only for Abraham and his children then living, but as a sign for the children not yet born. Here is another call for faith, for Abraham himself was almost a hundred years old. This promise sets a time for the birth of Isaac (Genesis 17:21; cf. Genesis 21:2), and names Sarah as the mother of Isaac (Genesis 17:15-21). Both Abraham (Genesis 17:17-18) and Sarah (Genesis 18:11-15) laugh at the announcement of so great and glorious a promise, but the laugh of credulity passed into the laugh of faith: “ By faith even Sarah herself received power to conceive seed when she was past age, since she counted him faithful who had promised; wherefore also there sprang of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as the sand, which is by the seashore, innumerable” (Hebrews 11:11-12, R.V.). Isaac’ s name, which means “ laughter,” the change in Abraham’ s (Genesis 17:5) and Sarah’ s name (Genesis 17:15) are indications of their faith in God (cf. Romans 4:13-22). What need there is of such faith today! What is more scarce in Christianity than faith? “ When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” How do we treat God’ s promises? Devoutness is common; piety is plentiful; contempt for evil is abundant; righteousness is everywhere manifest; but faith-“ Who hath believed our report?” “ Is anything too hard for the Lord?”