When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly. Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him.” (vv.1-3a)
Abram was 75 years old when he left Haran (Genesis 12:4). He was 86 years old when the son Ishmael was born of Hagar, the servant girl (Genesis 16:15-16). He had waited some 25 years for the fulfilment of God’s promise to give a son through Sarai. It had been some 13 years since his last recorded word from God. Undoubtedly, this was another appearance of God in the person of Jesus, who took on a temporary human appearance before His incarnation on earth (as with Hagar in Genesis 16:7-9).
God’s first words to Abram made an introduction and a declaration of His being. By His name El Shaddai (God Almighty), God revealed His Person and character to Abram, “I am God all-sufficient.” From shadah, to shed, to pour out. I am that God who pours out blessings, who gives them richly, abundantly, continually. After the proclamation of His name El Shaddai, God then told Abram what was expected of him, “Walk before Me and be blameless.” The word blameless literally means “whole.” God wanted all of Abram, a total commitment.
God also reminded Abram He had not forgotten the covenant. Though it had been some 25 years since the promise was first made, and though it maybe seemed to Abram God forgot, God didn’t forget anything. The last time we are told the LORD communicated with Abram directly was some 13 years before (Genesis 16:15-16). Seemingly, Abram had 13 years of “normal” fellowship with God, waiting for the promise all that time. It would be understandable if, at times during those 13 years, Abram felt that God forgot His promise.
However, in the waiting, Abram was becoming a great man of faith. This does not occur overnight, it takes years of God’s work, years of almost mundane trusting in God. So when God appeared to Abram, he fell on his face, showing submission and giving honor to God. Then God, to encourage Abram’s faith in the promise of descendants through Sarai, changed Abram’s name from Abram (father of many) to Abraham (father of many nations).
There are many wonderful name changes in the Bible, such as when God changed Jacob’s name to Israel (Genesis 32:28), and when He changed Simon’s name to Peter (Mark 3:16). We also read in Revelation that God also promises a wonderful new name to every overcomer in Him (Revelation 2:17). But for now you and I are called His saints, chosen by Him, sons of God, to do His will until He comes, or takes us home to His glory and gives us our “new name.”
Therefore, be steadfast in your faith in Him and do not wavier at the promises of God. Serve the LORD with your whole heart even in the times of silence, for He is making each of you great servants of faith for His kingdom.
The Truth: “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” (Romans 4:18-21)
