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I. THE GROUND OF ABRAHAM'S FAITH — the promise of God. (Genesis 12:3; Genesis 22:18). To open this promise we must inquire —

1. What was this seed? We must distinguish of a two-fold seed; that to whom the blessing was promised, and that in whom both Abraham, his seed, and all nations were to be blessed (Genesis 17:7). Now this promise was either to his carnal seed or to his spiritual seed (Galatians 3:7). But then there was another seed — the Messiah.

2. What was this blessedness? All the good which results to us from God's covenant.

(1) Our reconciliation with God consisting of —

(a)  remission of sins (Psalm 32:1, 2), which is included in the blessing of Abraham (Galatians 3:8).

(b)  Regeneration (Acts 3:25, 26).

(2) Eternal life.

(a)  The patriarchs sought it by virtue of this promise (Hebrews 11:18-15).

(b)  Unless this had been included God could not act suitably to the greatness of His covenant relation (Hebrews 11:16; Matthew 22:31, 32).

II. THE STRENGTH OF HIS FAITH.

1. His clear vision of Christ. "He saw my day." Three things argue the strength of bodily sight.

(1) When what we see is far off. Thousands of years intervened, yet they went to the grave in full assurance. The nature of faith is that it can look upon things absent and future as sure and near, but without it man looks no further than present probabilities.

(2) When there are clouds between. Now when the promise was made it was impossible in the course of nature for Abraham to have a son; but when the son was miraculously given he was commanded to sacrifice him. Now to strive against these and other difficulties argues strong faith (Romans 4:18).

(3) When there is little light to see by. The revelation was obscure; the patriarchs had only Genesis 3:15; Abraham's was a little clearer, but it was a small glimmering compared with what we enjoy. Yet they could do more with their faith than we with ours.What, then, is this clear vision of Christ to us? How shall we judge of the strength of our faith by this? Ans. —

(1) As to Christ there is a sight of Him —

(a)  Past. To see Him whom we have not seen, as if we had seen Him in the flesh, is the work of faith (Galatians 3:1).

(b)  Present. To see Him so as to make Him the object of our love and trust (John 6:40; Acts 7:56).

(c)  Future. We must be assured of His second coming and that we shall see Him (Job 19:25-27).

(2) As to the glory and blessedness of the world to come. Faith is the perspective of the soul, by which it can see things distant as present (Hebrews 11:26; Hebrews 6:18; Hebrews 12:2).

2. His deep affection or rejoicing in Christ.

(1) No other affection will become Christ but great joy (Luke 2:10; Luke 19:6; Acts 13:48; Acts 8:39; Acts 16:34).

(2) The reasons for this joy.

(a)  The excellency of the object in Himself and His work (John 3:16); in His necessity to us (Micah 6:6, 7; Psalm 49:7, 8; Job 33:24); in His benefit (1 Corinthians 1:30, 31).

(b)  The subjects are delivered from their misery and find their happiness in God.

(c)  The causes — the Holy Ghost and faith as His instrument (Romans 14:17; 1 Thessalonians 1:5; Romans 15:18; 1 Peter 1:8).

(3) The nature of this joy and its solid effects.

(a)  It enlarges our hearts in duty and strengthens us in the way of God (Nehemiah 8:10; Psalm 119:14).

(b)  It sweetens our calamities (Hebrews 3:17, 18).

(c)  It draws us off from the vain delights of the flesh (Psalm 4:7; Psalm 43:4).

(T. Manton, D. D.)

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KJV: Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.

WEB: Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day. He saw it, and was glad."