“And when Abraham 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.'” Genesis 17:1
Why is it that God, when Abraham was so old, would reveal Himself to him in such a manner as to call forth a deeper devotion, a more perfect walk? It has to do with the fulfilment of a covenant with Abraham and his descendants, the repercussions of which would not only affect the blessing of God upon his family, but that “…all nations of the earth shall be blessed in him.” (Gen. 18:18) God had already spoken to Abram when he was seventy-five years old concerning His blessing upon him, and how far this blessing would reach, when He said, “…and in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed.” (Gen. 12:3) How would God do this, and what would He require of Abram in order for Him to be free, and at liberty, to do it? This is where singular devotion to God, and the response of faith and obedience is so essential.
From the very earliest accounts of Abram, whose name was later changed to Abraham, we find that he was characterized by a heart-felt determination to believe and obey the God who revealed Himself to him. Even when we first discover Abram living in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Caanan, “…the God of glory appeared unto him.” (Acts 7:2) In response to that revelation, and the words of God telling him to leave his present country, his relatives, and his father’s house, Abraham obeyed, and left Mesopotamia, with its idolatrous practices. The first step was taken, although incomplete, yet the formation of this man of faith had begun. As Abraham proceeded on the path of obedient faith in response to the revelation of God to his heart, God would bless him, and open up before him a vision of greater blessing. God’s promises were very great, certainly much greater than Abram could have ever imagined, for God had declared to him: “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great: and thou shalt be a blessing.” (Gen. 12:2) After a brief stay in Haran, on the way to Canaan, Abram came into the land of promise, that of Canaan. Here, because of a great deliverance which God operated through Abram when Lot, and his family, were saved from being the slaves of an enemy, God would again reveal Himself to Abram an expanding vision of Himself, and also, make a covenant with Abram, saying, “Unto thy seed have I given this land.” (Gen. 15:18) The vision of God at this time was essential because it dealt with Abram’s enemies, God’s sovereign power, and the “exceeding great reward” promised. (15:1) What was this great reward? It was the knowledge of God, a deeper knowledge of his Creator, and Redeemer, also revealing Himself to be Abraham’s shield, his protector. Again, it was as Abram was obediently faithful to God in the circumstances of His choosing, that God would reveal something more of Himself, that Abram needed to see.
As time progressed, when Abram was eighty-four years of age, even though God had given Abram a promise of an heir which would “come forth out of thine own bowels,” God would test Abram’s obedience and faith, and also that of Sarah. Apparently, Abraham would not know “how” God would provide his choice of an heir, specific to God’s purposes. Both he and Sarah, his wife, would need to be brought in their faith to absolutely depend upon the Lord alone to do that which He promised, in a manner that would prove it was God, and for His glory.
When Abraham was ninety-nine years old, and Sarah about ten years younger, the time had come when Abraham and Sarah would need to trust God only to do His work. God’s revelation and calling was to deeper devotion, deeper faith: “I am the Almighty God; walk before Me and be thou perfect.” (17:1)
Dear Father, Give abounding grace to believe. In Jesus’ name, Amen.