God renews the covenant with Abram. (1–6)
Circumcision instituted. (7–14)
Sarai's name changed, Isaac promised. (15–22)
Abraham and his family are circumcised. (23–27)Verses 1–6
The covenant was to be accomplished in due time. The promised Seed was Christ, and Christians
in him. And all who are of faith are blessed with faithful Abram, being partakers of the same
covenant blessings. In token of this covenant his name was changed from Abram, “a high father,”
to Abraham, “the father of a multitude.” All that the Christian world enjoys, it is indebted for to
Abraham and his Seed.
Verses 7–14
The covenant of grace is from everlasting in the counsels of it, and to everlasting in the
consequences of it. The token of the covenant was circumcision. It is here said to be the covenant
which Abraham and his seed must keep. Those who will have the Lord to be to them a God, must
resolve to be to him a people. Not only Abraham and Isaac, and his posterity by Isaac, were to be
circumcised, but also Ishmael and the bond-servants. It sealed not only the covenant of the land of
Canaan to Isaac's posterity, but of heaven, through Christ, to the whole church of God. The outward
sign is for the visible church; the inward seal of the Spirit is peculiar to those whom God knows to
be believers, and he alone can know them. The religious observance of this institution was required,
under a very severe penalty. It is dangerous to make light of Divine institutions, and to live in the
neglect of them. The covenant in question was one that involved great blessings for the world in
all future ages. Even the blessedness of Abraham himself, and all the rewards conferred upon him,
were for Christ's sake. Abraham was justified, as we have seen, not by his own righteousness, but
by faith in the promised Messiah.
Verses 15–22
Here is the promise made to Abraham of a son by Sarai, in whom the promise made to him
should be fulfilled. The assurance of this promise was the change of Sarai's name into Sarah. Sarai
signifies my princess, as if her honour were confined to one family only; Sarah signifies a princess.
The more favours God confers upon us, the more low we should be in our own eyes. Abraham
showed great joy; he laughed, it was a laughter of delight, not of distrust. Now it was that Abraham
rejoiced to see Christ's day; now he saw it and was glad, Joh 8:56. Abraham, dreading lest Ishmael
should be abandoned and forsaken of God, put up a petition on his behalf. God gives us leave in
prayer to be particular in making known our requests. Whatever is our care and fear, should be
spread before God in prayer. It is the duty of parents to pray for their children, and the great thing
we should desire is, that they may be kept in covenant with Him, and may have grace to walk before
him in uprightness. Common blessings are secured to Ishmael. Outward good things are often given