Walking with Abraham pt. 5 - Covenant Further Defined

Define covenant - a solemn agreement that is binding on all parties. In this case the parties are God and Abram. In this chapter, God provides Abram with more detail about the nature of their solemn agreement. What God agrees to do for Abram and what Abram agrees to do for God particularly the latter (Abram.)

Genesis 17:1-8

1. How old is Abram? 99. The event in this chapter takes place 13 years after the Hagar incident. The promised son still has not been born. Abram once again needs a booster shot of faith from God. God appears to Abram in his time of need.

2. How does God refer to Himself? God Almighty. In the Hebrew, translated El Shaddai. Define almighty – unlimited power. Why does God refer to Himself this way to Abram at this time? Abram is 99. Sarai is 90. It’s going to take a God with unlimited power to enable them to have a child.

3. What requirement does God give to Abram in relation to the covenant? Walk before me and be blameless. This is the spiritual requirement of the covenant. Why? God emphasizes the importance of Abram being obedient/holy particularly after the Hagar incident. What did God mean by “walk before me”? Abram was to be God’s herald to a world dominated by sin. In order to carry out that call, Abram had to be blameless/holy. He didn’t do a good job of it during the Hagar incident.

4. vs. 5 – What significant moment happens to Abram? God changes his name to Abraham. Why? To better reflect the promise made in the covenant (multitude of descendants.) Abram – “exalted father”; Abraham – father of multitude/many. The name change could also be God’s way of offering Abraham a fresh start after the Hagar incident. Abraham has clean slate.

Genesis 17:9-14

5) What is the second requirement God gives to Abraham in relation to the covenant? Circumcision. This is the physical requirement of the covenant. What was its purpose? Outward/physical expression of obedience to God. See vs. 11 – Finalizing/sealing of the covenant between Abraham and his descendants and God. Circumcision would be a constant reminder of the covenant agreement. Read Romans 2: 28-29. Unfortunately, over time the Jews placed more emphasis on the physical requirement of the covenant than they did on the spiritual requirement. Today, physical circumcision is no longer required. Christ fully met the physical requirement of the covenant when he shed his blood at Cavalry. Spiritual requirement still valid today. Are Christians guilt of the same thing? Emphasize the external and deemphasize the internal.

Genesis 17:15-22

6) What all did God say in reference to Sarai? Name change. See answer to quest. 4. Point out that this is the first time God says that Sarah will be the one to bear the promised son.

7) What is Abraham’s response? Laughter. Why did he respond this way? He and Sarah were now 99 and 90.

8) What did Abraham petition God? Let Ishmael be the promised son. Why? Perhaps impatience. Ishmael already born and is now 13. Wouldn’t be long before he’s married off and taking over the family business and having children. Abraham and Sarah have a child now … they’ll have to wait longer for the child to grow up. Moreover, Abraham loved Ishmael. He was his firstborn son.

9) What was God’s response to Abraham? No. What else did God tell Abraham? He’ll have a son by Sarah and will name him Isaac – “He laughs” Why? Perhaps as a constant reminder to Abraham of his reaction to God’s almighty power. Emphasize that God said “My covenant” not “our covenant” or “Abraham’s covenant”. God is the sole author of the covenant. Attempts by Abraham to make edits to a covenant God had written (ex. Hagar incident) only led to pain/failure. There is a lesson there for us.

10) When will the child be born? One year. God finally gives Abraham a date. Also, God reassured Abraham that he will not forget Ishmael.

APPLICATION

God does not tell us everything He is going to do for us up front/at the beginning. Why? For one thing our limited brain would not be able to comprehend it all. More importantly, we would be less dependent on God during the journey. We would have no need of faith. That’s a dangerous place to be. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. What God does during our journey is tell us what we need to know at that time/moment so that we can mature. Result – we are better able to comprehend the journey.