FRIDAY, June 19, 2009                                                       READ: Genesis 17: 1 - 27                                                                                                        

GOD’S COVENANT WITH FATHER ABRAM

MEMORIZE: ‘When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.”         Genesis 17: 1, 2

It would have been fourteen years since Abram had Sarai, his wife proposed that he have sexual relations with Hagar, her maid, as if she were his wife, in the hope of obtaining the son which God had promised to give them, through her. That situation quickly became inflamed and abusive. Sarai, in her distress at being disrespected by Hagar, not only was harsh to Hager, but also decided to let Abram know that she was blaming him for things turning out the way they did. This looks like the same blame game Adam and Eve played in the Garden. It would have been thirteen years since the baby conceived was born and named Ishmael.

Here in our text, Genesis 17: 1 – 27, when Abram was ninety-nine years old, God Almighty appeared to him and spoke to him. In v. 1, God identified Himself as the Ultimate One, the Almighty God. He then commanded Abram to “… walk before Me and be blameless.” How do you think those words would have impacted Abram, who was bearing the brunt of the blame? God calls upon us, His children, to live and be blameless in the world today (cf. Philippians 2: 15; 3: 6; 2 Peter 3: 14). In v. 2, God then informed him that “I will make my covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly” (cf. Genesis 15: 18). In other words, My program is still on track. How did Abram respond? In v. 3, he fell on his face. What was that about? You could say, he felt blown away by the fact that God had not written him off because of his sin and error. In vv. 4 – 8, we can see how God spoke of His covenant with Abram and his descendants after him. It was an everlasting covenant. He was giving them the land as an everlasting possession and would be their God. A quick question for you. Who are the people known as the Palestinians? How did they come to have a right to the land which God gave as part of the covenant, to Abram and his descendants? Has God’s plan been frustrated? Observe how, in v. 5, God changed Abram’s name to Abraham. What’s in a name? He was going to be made “a father of many nations.” Every time he would hear that name, he would be able to think of God’s promise – “Yes, I am a father of many nations.” What would our lives be if we were to learn to trust in God? In vv. 9 – 14, God established a sure sign by which Abram and his descendants were to indicate their participation in this everlasting covenant. He gave, or, established the circumcision of every male child eight days old as that sign by which the participation would be indicated. In vv. 15, 16, God indicated that, as part of this entire arrangement, He was also changing Sarai - “my princess,” to Sarah – “princess.” She would be the mother of nations and kings of peoples. Look at vv. 17, 18! What was happening to Abraham? In vv. 19 – 22, we can see how God responded to Abraham. Sarah will bear a son whose name will be Isaac. The everlasting covenant will be with and through him and his line. I was told by someone in the Nation of Islam that Ishmael was the true heir of Abraham. They claim that their religion goes back to Ishmael, not to Isaac. Can you figure why? God made His point and Abraham got it. So, in vv. 23 – 27, Abraham rose up and circumcised the members of his household, so that they would conform to God’s will.

It is safe to conclude that faith, true faith, might very well not be instant. Once it is called upon, it needs to give an account of itself. Every father needs to know that God is counting on him to be the man and father in his children’s lives. Despite blame, justified or not, God is not finished with us yet. So, we need to trust Him and keep on doing the right thing.

PRAY:LORD, God Almighty, You are the God and Father of our LORD, Jesus Christ. You are righteous and trustworthy. Help me, and fathers everywhere to take a stand as father, for You and for what is right. Help me to live as Your child. I want to spend eternity in Your house. Thank You, LORD. I bless You in Jesus’ strong name. Amen.