Genesis17_1-3

Genesis 17:1-3

And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.

And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,

There were thirteen years for Abram without communication with God after he bore Ishmael in the flesh. It was a difficult period for Abram, who had followed the commands of God by leaving his hometown for an unknown place. God was with Abram all the way to the land He had pointed out. However, Abram offended God and His plan by relying on his fleshly power. Even though God had told him that he would bear seed from his own body, Abram still used his own strength to fulfill God’s word. Hence, God had to hide Himself for thirteen years until Abram’s fleshly strength was exhausted.

At this time, God revealed Himself to Abram as the Almighty God. This led Abram to know the Almighty One in his life, for he was ninety-nine years old and had little vitality left to sustain him. With his strength running out, Abram perhaps felt deeply weakened — especially for a strong man who had once fought for his brother Lot and overcome powerful enemies. God was righteous, for He also disciplined His dear friend Abram, who had offended Him, by withdrawing His presence from him. Meanwhile, God commanded Abram to walk before Him and be perfect, meaning that God required Abram not to repeat the same mistake but to do his utmost to live blamelessly before God.

Later, God mentioned the covenant between Himself and Abram, declaring that Abram would be multiplied exceedingly. God cared for the covenant above all other matters at that time, reminding Abram of the promise He had once made to him. Abram fell on his face, indicating that he had reflected deeply on himself during those thirteen years without God. Abram humbled himself to receive God’s word and listened to Him carefully.