Genesis 17:1-6 – God’s Covenantal Relationship
Abram is 99 years old, it is 13 years after the birth of Ishmael, and God appears to him. Abram falls on his face before God when he is confronted with how glorious God is and how sinful and unworthy he is. God is making a covenant with Abram, not just a covenant of children and land, but a covenant of a relationship between God and Abram. As Abram believes in God, God will take care of him and save him. God will be Abram’s God, and Abram, and his children, will be God’s people.
God is Almighty – mighty to destroy and mighty to forgive and save. He is self-sufficient – needing nothing else. Abram is to have a faith in God that makes him want to walk before God in obedience. We are to walk before God – to set God always before us, to do everything as under His watchful eye, and to do all in obedience for His glory.
God is going to make Abram a father of many nations. Not only will Abram have many biological descendants in different nations, but also all who believe in Jesus Christ, from all over the world, are spiritual children of Abram. God changes his name from Abram, meaning exalted father, to Abraham, meaning father of many. His name will be another encouragement that God will keep His promises.
Questions
- How old is Abraham when God appears to him this time?
- How do we walk before God?
- What does Abraham’s new name mean?
Prayer Points
- Pray for the preaching and hearing of God’s Word tomorrow.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters