Genesis 17

Genesis 17

17:2 Abram was 99 years old by now. Thirteen years had passed since the birth of Ishmael. That means it was at least 23 years since God first made the promise that He was about to confirm.

17:5 This is the first time God renames someone, and it becomes a trend for those who are called by God. In ancient times, when a man was purchased as a slave, the new master would give the slave a name, which signified ownership. In the same way, Abram was renamed Abraham, and thus became God's chosen servant.

17:7 Here is a point of contention these days. Is this promise still binding? If it is, then Israel is much to be blessed, nations should support them in their claim on the land in question. On the other hand if it is not binding, as some would suggest that the covenant was redirected at Christ to the church, then there is no point in blessing Israel at all. It is still a very relevant question that needs to be answered by each who consider themselves to be Christians.

17:9 There is this criteria here that some claim was broken. Israel must keep the covenant and be faithful. What is the covenant?

17:13 Sometimes it's hard to think about this passage and make it applicable. The question comes up whether we are still to circumcise our children, or converts for that matter. Back then, it was said that yes they must do that, but it was specifically for Judaism as a sign of being in the covenant with God. On this purpose, since we are not under the same law we shouldn't need to do this. I would submit that indeed it is not meriting salvation, but it is still a sign of the covenant; we are still to do it but not rely on it as a requirement. Additionally, since God created the form of man and then told him to circumcise the foreskin, that means it was designed for this purpose. And it is only around once and when you cut it off it is gone and that's it. This is a MAJOR thing God was asking Abraham and his men to do, it could not be undone, and it was a sign of covenant relationship with God. We must not think of it as this covenant, but covenant in general. Since we have this revelation, it is proper to follow it.

17:14 Does this mean that we are all cut off from our people from birth? I think this idea has merit.

17:15 Once again, not only is Abraham chosen and given a new name, but now Sarah is as well. Men weren't the only gender to have special office.

17:16 Prior to this, I really wonder if Abraham was thinking that God would bless him through Ishmael. If so, a lot of the following verses make sense. But seriously, think about a 90 year old woman giving birth to a son. Who other than God could orchestrate such a miracle??

17:17 Was Abraham just in having this reaction? I don't know about just, but it is at least understandable. But faith sometimes requires blindness to obvious physical boundaries because God is not limited by rules of the physical world.

17:19 God gives Isaac his name as well.

17:20 It's unfortunate that the Muslims take this man as their line to Abraham. It may very well be true, but in many minds it is justifiable to think of the Bible as being right in lots of other way except in verse 21. Everything else looks so similar, such as the twelve rulers and be a great nation. But the blessing and covenant goes with Isaac, truly.

17:22 Notice that Abraham doesn't get a chance to say anything else. How would you feel if you were blessed with a personal visit from God and the last thing you said was riddled with unfaithful thoughts.

17:23 Maybe after that last conversation with God Abraham really got serious. He was eager to show God his commitment by following the covenant demands immediately. This is the kind of response we all should take to heart when we read Scripture and are confronted with an imperative.