Genesis 17
Genesis 17 contains the account of God making a covenant with Abram once again and commanding circumcision as the sign of the covenant. This chapter begins when Abram is 99 years old, and it is also a turning point in which his name is changed to "Abraham" and Sarai's name is changed to "Sarah."
1verseWhen Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty. Walk before me and be blameless.
2verseI will make my covenant between me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.”
3verseAbram fell on his face. God talked with him, saying,
4verse“As for me, behold, my covenant is with you. You will be the father of a multitude of nations.
5verseYour name will no more be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham; for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.
6verseI will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you. Kings will come out of you.
7verseI will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God to you and to your offspring after you.
8verseI will give to you, and to your offspring after you, the land where you are traveling, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession. I will be their God.”
9verseGod said to Abraham, “As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations.
10verseThis is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you. Every male among you shall be circumcised.
11verseYou shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin. It will be a token of the covenant between me and you.
12verseHe who is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every male throughout your generations, he who is born in the house, or bought with money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring.
13verseHe who is born in your house, and he who is bought with your money, must be circumcised. My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.
14verseThe uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that soul shall be cut off from his people. He has broken my covenant.”
15verseGod said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but her name shall be Sarah.
16verseI will bless her, and moreover I will give you a son by her. Yes, I will bless her, and she will be a mother of nations. Kings of peoples will come from her.”
17verseThen Abraham fell on his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, “Will a child be born to him who is one hundred years old? Will Sarah, who is ninety years old, give birth?”
18verseAbraham said to God, “Oh that Ishmael might live before you!”
19verseGod said, “No, but Sarah, your wife, will bear you a son. You shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him.
20verseAs for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He will become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation.
21verseBut I will establish my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this set time next year.”
22verseWhen he finished talking with him, God went up from Abraham.
23verseAbraham took Ishmael his son, all who were born in his house, and all who were bought with his money: every male among the men of Abraham’s house, and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the same day, as God had said to him.
24verseAbraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
25verseIshmael, his son, was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
26verseIn the same day both Abraham and Ishmael, his son, were circumcised.
27verseAll the men of his house, those born in the house, and those bought with money from a foreigner, were circumcised with him.
Repetition and Expansion of the Covenant
God had already made a covenant with Abram in Genesis 12 and 15. In chapter 17, this covenant becomes clearer and more specific, and the promise of "father of many nations" is confirmed. God's promise is not limited to Abraham alone; it is expanded into an eternal covenant for his descendants as well.
The Meaning of Circumcision
God commands circumcision as a sign of the covenant. This is a ceremony that must be carried out when Abraham and his descendants (male children) are eight days old, and it is a symbolic act that shows belonging to the covenant community with God. Circumcision is only an outward sign, but it causes us to think about the importance of obedience of the heart and inner faith.
A Change of Names and a New Beginning
In this chapter, Abram (high father) is renamed "Abraham" (father of many), and Sarai is renamed "Sarah" (princess). The change of name signifies God's promise and a new calling, showing the scope of what God will accomplish through them.
The Promise Concerning Ishmael and Isaac
Abraham already had a son named Ishmael, but God makes it clear that through Sarah, the promised son Isaac will be born. Ishmael also receives blessing, but it is emphasized that the heir of the covenant is Isaac. This shows that God's promise is fulfilled entirely according to God's sovereignty and plan.
Reflection Points
- Consider how God's covenant is repeated, expanded, and fulfilled faithfully.
- You can also reflect on the balance between outward signs (circumcision) and inward faith.
- Just as with the change of names, let us think about what new identity and calling God has brought into my life.
Personal Application
- Could you live a life of trust by checking God's covenant every day?
- Let us also review whether you are ready to accept the new calling and role God has given you and to obey.
- Pursue not only outward religious acts, but also sincere devotion of the heart and obedience.
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