27. The Sign of the Covenant Given to the Doubtful (Gen 17:1-14)

After 13 years of silence, the Lord appeared to Abram and confirmed that He would surely accomplish His promise. And also, the Lord changed his name and ordered circumcision not to forget the promise of the Sovereign God.

Read Gen 17:1-14 

Questions for Observations

What were God’s first words, after 13 years of silence, to Abram after he had taken Hagar as his wife? (v1)

 

How many times does the Lord confirm that the Lord Himself will accomplish his promise? (find expressions ‘my’ or ‘I will' in verses 4 – 8) 

Eight

After the Lord confirmed what He would do, He asked what Abram should do. What is it? (v9)

 

What is the purpose of circumcision? (v11, 13)

 

 Meditation for Application

13 years of silence tells God's disapproval of Abram's taking Hagar.

What's wrong with Abram's act in chapter 16? If Abram were an ordinary husband, his act might be commendable because he needed to maintain his family line. However, Abram had received the promise of descendants from God. He was supposed to reveal God's power who would make a barren woman the mother of nations. Through Hagar, he got a son but failed to reveal God's glory.

It is the same for us. Not waiting for God's time, when you ought to, is a lack of faith.

The Lord confirmed again and again that He Himself will accomplish the promise. That means, there is nothing for Abram to do. God changed his name to Abraham, the father of nations. Because he had been childless with this name, he needed to explain God's promise to his friends. 

When your friends are cynical at your new title, Christian, you can introduce God's plan that He will make you a mature Christian. And they will see God's glory.

What is to be blameless (verse 1)? It is to believe in His promise. The Lord ordered Abram to do circumcision, which would help his faith. Circumcision was the only requirement for Abram to stay in God's covenant. It reminded him of his failure in seeking human methods for descendants. 

God will accomplish our salvation in Jesus Christ. We need to believe His promise and wait for His time. The only requirement from us is the circumcision of our hearts. Humble yourself and accept Jesus.


ANSWERS

I am the Sovereign God

eight times. God emphasizes that He will surely fulfill it.

to keep the covenantal requirement: circumcision. -> to believe God's promise. to recognize oneself as the covenant people of God.

It reminds them of the covenant of God.


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