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a helpful study. We have the beginner in mind in this series, and nothing is worse than
never to allow the beginner the opportunity of searching the scriptures and receiving the
training which results from exercise.
Hagar had a wonderful experience. If Hagar was to wander later in the wilderness of
Beer-sheba (the well of the oath) she is first of all to know Beer-lahai-roi (the well of
living after seeing). Another interpretation of this name is The well of the living and the
visible One, and when we remember the revelation of Christ to a fallen woman of
Samaria (John 4:), the possibility of this equally wonderful revelation being made to the
outcast Hagar is not to be dismissed.
When Ishmael was born Abram was eighty-six years old. Faith had yet to be
strengthened by longer waiting, for chapter 17: opens with a childless Sarai, when
Abram had reached ninety and nine years of age.
We shall continually meet with these examples of failure because of not waiting. May
the lesson be not wasted upon ourselves. "Wait, I say, on the Lord." "Which worketh for
him that waiteth for Him" (Isa. 64: 4, R.V.).
#30. Circumcision and its relation to being "perfect"
(Gen. 17:).
pp. 161 - 165
Abram has had several trials of faith. We see his progress much like the climbing
record on the meteorological chart. Not one straight undeviating line does Abram's
record leave. He falls a few degrees, and advances a few more, but it is to be thankfully
noted that he does advance. One, and One only, ever walked the straight path of perfect
faith, and while Abraham may twice figure in the list of those who received a good report
through faith, Christ Himself alone is the Author and Perfecter of faith (Heb. 11:, 12:).
Nevertheless, Abram is a follower of the Lord, and to him as to all believers comes the
call to go on unto perfection:--
"And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram and
said unto him. I am El Shaddai; walk before Me and be thou perfect.'
When He was revealed as Abram's shield and reward, Abram believed Him unto
justification and inheritance. Something fuller and deeper lies before Abram now. Up to
this point Abram is the father of all that believe. Every believing child of God is justified
and will receive a share of His inheritance. Not all believers, however, "go on unto
perfection". Even Paul, sure as he was of his justification and of his fitness for the
inheritance in the light, yet says, "Not as though I were already perfect". When Abram is
called upon to "be perfect", a fuller revelation of God is made to him. It will be helpful
to observe the different titles of God that appear in the various phases of Abram's walk of
faith.