John Calvin Commentary Genesis 17:22

"And he left off talking with him, and God went up from Abraham." — Genesis 17:22 (ASV)

God went up from Abraham. This expression contains a profitable doctrine: namely, that Abraham certainly knew this vision was from God; for the ascent mentioned here implies this. And it is necessary for the pious to be fully assured that what they hear proceeds from God, so that they are not carried here and there but may depend on heaven alone.

And although God, now that He has spoken to us, does not openly ascend to heaven before our eyes, this should not in any way diminish the certainty of our faith. This is because a full manifestation of Him has been made in Christ, with which we should rightly be satisfied.

Besides, although God does not daily ascend visibly, His majesty is no less resplendent in this: that He raises us up by transforming us into His own image. Furthermore, He gives sufficient authority to His word when He seals it on our hearts by His Spirit.