this promise, inscribing it on their hearts in ineffaceable cha-
racters, and how their longing was constantly directed to its
fulfilment, is shown by the saying of Noah's parents on his
birth, Gen. v. 29. They hoped that the son who was given to
them should be the instrument by which God would realize His
promise of the blessing which was to follow the curse, if not in
its full comprehension, yet in its beginning. And they were
not deceived in this hope. In the grace which God showed to
Noah and his race the promise certainly did not fail, but re-
ceived a beginning of its fulfilment, which was at the same time
a pledge and prediction of a far more glorious accomplishment.
An indication of this was contained in the prophetic announce-
ment of Noah, Gen. ix. 26, 27. God promises to enter into a
close union with the race of Shem ; and the descendants of the
other son, Japhet, are also at some future time to participate
in the fulness of this blessing. This was the extent of the
glimpse into the future at the time when Abraham appeared.
An entirely new basis was now given to the hope, even apart
from the verbal renewal and more exact determination of the
promise. In the leadings of the patriarchs, the living God
manifested Himself in a way never anticipated before. The
heavens which had been closed since the fall re-opened, and
the angels of God again ascended and descended. What God
promises for the future, gains significance only in proportion as
He makes Himself known in the present. Promises heaped
upon promises float in the air, and do not come nigh the heart.
