Genesis 17: Abram is Named Abraham (NLT)
In Chapter 17, the Lord appeared to Abram and said, "I am the God Almighty; serve me faithfully and live a blameless life. I will make a covenant (there's that word again) with you, by which I will guarantee to make you into a mighty nation." At this Abram fell face down in the dust. Then God said to him, "This is my covenant with you: I will make you the father of not just one nation, but a multitude of nations! What's more, I am changing your name. It will no longer be Abram; now you will be known as Abraham, for you will be the father of many nations. I will give you millions of descendants who will represent many nations. Kings will be among them! I will continue this everlasting covenant between us, generation after generation. It will continue between me and your offspring forever. And I will always be your God and the God of your descendants after you. Yes, I will give all this land of Canaan to you and your offspring forever. And I will be your God."
Let us recap what God is saying to Abram.
The Lord told Abram, "I am God Almighty; serve me faithfully and live a blameless life." God has the same message for us today. We are to obey the Lord in every respect because he is God--that is reason enough. If you don't think the benefits of obedience are worth it, consider who God is--the only one with the power and ability to meet your every need.
Here's a question. Why did God repeat his covenant to Abram? He mentions it twice in chapters 12 and 15. So why again. Here, however, God was bringing it into focus and preparing to carry it out. He revealed to Abram several specific parts of his covenant: (1) God would give Abram many descendants; (2) many nations would descend from him; (3) God would maintain his covenant with Abram's descendants; (4) God would give Abram's descendants the land of Canaan.
God also changed Abram's name to Abraham, which means "father of many" shortly before the promised son was concieved.
Let's continue, because the Lord isn't done talking to Abraham.
God told Abraham, "Your part of the agreement is to obey the terms of the covenant. You and all your descendants have this continual responsibility. This is the covenant that you and your descendants must keep: Each male among you must be circumcised; the flesh of his foreskin must be cut off. This will be a sign that you and they have accepted this covenant. Every male child must be circumcised on the eighth day after his birth. This applies not only to members of your family, but also to the servants born in your household and the foreign-born servants whom you have purchased. All must be circumcised. Your bodies will thus bear the mark of my everlasting covenant. Anyone who refuses to be circumcised will be cut off from the covenant family for violating the covenant."
Okay, let's recap.
What is circumcision? Merriam-Webster's definition is: a Jewish rite performed on male infants as a sign of inclusion in the Jewish religious community
Okay, so why did God require circumcision? (1) As a sign of obedience to him in all matters. (2) As a sign of belonging to his covenant people. Once circumcised, there was no turning back. The man would be identified as a Jew forever. (3) As a symbol of "cutting off" the old life of sin, purifying one's heart, and dedicating oneself to God. (4) Possibly as a health measure.
Circumcision more than any other practice separated God's people from their pagan neighbors. In Abraham's day, this was essential to develop the pure worship of the one true God.
Almost done. Let's continue...
Then God added, "Regarding Sarai, your wife, her name will no longer be Sarai; from now on will call her Sarah. (means Princess) And I will bless her and give her and you a son from her! Yes, I will bless her richly, and she will become the mother of many nations. Kings will be among her descendants!"
Then Abraham bowed down to the ground, but he laughed to himself in disbelief. "How could I become a father at the age of 100?" he wondered. "Besides, Sarah is 90; how could she have a baby?" And Abraham said to God, "Yes, may Ishmael enjoy your special blessing!"
But God replied, "Sarah, your wife, will bear you a son. You will name him Isaac, and I will confirm my everlasting covenant with him and his descendants. As for Ishmael, I will bless him also, just as you have asked. I will cause him to multiply and become a great nation. Twelve princes will be among his descendants. But my covenant is with Isaac, who will be born to you and Sarah about this time next year."
That ended the conversation. So Abraham did what God had commanded him to do. Took every other male including him and his son Ishmael in the household and circumcised them.
Okay, let's recap....
Abraham made a valid point, when God told him that Sarah will bear a son. Abraham laughed because he was 99 years old and his wife was 90. That age now is retirement and ready to rest in peace and be with the heavenly Father. Abraham was doubting God. So he laughed. It seemed incredible that Abraham and Sarah in their advanced years could have a child. Abraham, the man God considered righteous because of his faith, had trouble believing God's promise to him. Despite his doubts, however, he followed God's commands.
Even people with great faith may have doubts. When God seems to want the impossible and you begin to doubt his leading, be like Abraham. Focus on God's commitment to fulfill his promises to you, and then continue to obey.
God didn't forget about Ishmael. Although he was not to be Abraham's heir, he would also be the father of a great nation. Regardless of your circumstances, God has not forgotten you. Obey him and trust in his plan.
Let us recap what God is saying to Abram.
The Lord told Abram, "I am God Almighty; serve me faithfully and live a blameless life." God has the same message for us today. We are to obey the Lord in every respect because he is God--that is reason enough. If you don't think the benefits of obedience are worth it, consider who God is--the only one with the power and ability to meet your every need.
Here's a question. Why did God repeat his covenant to Abram? He mentions it twice in chapters 12 and 15. So why again. Here, however, God was bringing it into focus and preparing to carry it out. He revealed to Abram several specific parts of his covenant: (1) God would give Abram many descendants; (2) many nations would descend from him; (3) God would maintain his covenant with Abram's descendants; (4) God would give Abram's descendants the land of Canaan.
God also changed Abram's name to Abraham, which means "father of many" shortly before the promised son was concieved.
Let's continue, because the Lord isn't done talking to Abraham.
God told Abraham, "Your part of the agreement is to obey the terms of the covenant. You and all your descendants have this continual responsibility. This is the covenant that you and your descendants must keep: Each male among you must be circumcised; the flesh of his foreskin must be cut off. This will be a sign that you and they have accepted this covenant. Every male child must be circumcised on the eighth day after his birth. This applies not only to members of your family, but also to the servants born in your household and the foreign-born servants whom you have purchased. All must be circumcised. Your bodies will thus bear the mark of my everlasting covenant. Anyone who refuses to be circumcised will be cut off from the covenant family for violating the covenant."
Okay, let's recap.
What is circumcision? Merriam-Webster's definition is: a Jewish rite performed on male infants as a sign of inclusion in the Jewish religious community
Okay, so why did God require circumcision? (1) As a sign of obedience to him in all matters. (2) As a sign of belonging to his covenant people. Once circumcised, there was no turning back. The man would be identified as a Jew forever. (3) As a symbol of "cutting off" the old life of sin, purifying one's heart, and dedicating oneself to God. (4) Possibly as a health measure.
Circumcision more than any other practice separated God's people from their pagan neighbors. In Abraham's day, this was essential to develop the pure worship of the one true God.
Almost done. Let's continue...
Then God added, "Regarding Sarai, your wife, her name will no longer be Sarai; from now on will call her Sarah. (means Princess) And I will bless her and give her and you a son from her! Yes, I will bless her richly, and she will become the mother of many nations. Kings will be among her descendants!"
Then Abraham bowed down to the ground, but he laughed to himself in disbelief. "How could I become a father at the age of 100?" he wondered. "Besides, Sarah is 90; how could she have a baby?" And Abraham said to God, "Yes, may Ishmael enjoy your special blessing!"
But God replied, "Sarah, your wife, will bear you a son. You will name him Isaac, and I will confirm my everlasting covenant with him and his descendants. As for Ishmael, I will bless him also, just as you have asked. I will cause him to multiply and become a great nation. Twelve princes will be among his descendants. But my covenant is with Isaac, who will be born to you and Sarah about this time next year."
That ended the conversation. So Abraham did what God had commanded him to do. Took every other male including him and his son Ishmael in the household and circumcised them.
Okay, let's recap....
Abraham made a valid point, when God told him that Sarah will bear a son. Abraham laughed because he was 99 years old and his wife was 90. That age now is retirement and ready to rest in peace and be with the heavenly Father. Abraham was doubting God. So he laughed. It seemed incredible that Abraham and Sarah in their advanced years could have a child. Abraham, the man God considered righteous because of his faith, had trouble believing God's promise to him. Despite his doubts, however, he followed God's commands.
Even people with great faith may have doubts. When God seems to want the impossible and you begin to doubt his leading, be like Abraham. Focus on God's commitment to fulfill his promises to you, and then continue to obey.
God didn't forget about Ishmael. Although he was not to be Abraham's heir, he would also be the father of a great nation. Regardless of your circumstances, God has not forgotten you. Obey him and trust in his plan.
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