Genesis 17

-The Sign of the covenant

-Ross’s summary statement: “God requires a sanctified believing life (involving proper use of the ritual and a perfect walk before Him) of those who walk in anticipation of the promise and keep the rites of the covenant.”

-Divine appearance (1-3a)

13 years following the birth of Ishmael (waiting for fulfillment)

Ishmael reaching “adulthood”

Oh, how hard it is to wait. Do you remember how long and excruciating it would be as a child to wait for Christmas, even when it was a few days away. Now Abram and Sarai have lived in the land for about 24 years, waiting for the Lord to fulfill his promise to them. It is no surprise that there would be lingering doubts on behalf of both (Oh’ that Ishmael might live before You...18).

The Lord appeared in their waiting and declared himself, “I am the Lord, Almighty” (El Shaddai). In the face of a situation that seemed a mountain too high to climb. The Lord, Almighty, appears to Abram with a twofold command.

“walk before me”-

The Message of Genesis 12–50: From Abraham to Joseph Walk Before me, and Be Blameless (Genesis 17:1–27)

Though no divine law was formulated as yet, God required those who were in covenant with him to live in such a way as to please him. The verb ‘walk’, used already of the Lord God in the garden (3:8), of Enoch, who ‘walked with God’ (5:24), and of Noah (6:9), is a reminder that all of life is an ongoing pilgrimage. There can be no ‘once for all’ formula for instant holiness, because life’s circumstances and demands keep changing, like the different phases of a journey. In all of them the Lord wants his people to please him by walking before him, that is, in his presence, with nothing to hide from him.

ii. “be blameless”-tammim the appropriate quality of the sacrificial animal, ie healthy, sound, without blemish. Also means complete or whole

that I may make my covenant before you and may multiply you greatly

Abram’ response-”Then Abram fell on his face.”-appears in various contexts in ancient literature as well as religious texts. Used when facing a human judge, associated with worship, symbolizes the overwhelming nature of encountering God’s glory, also seen in the mediation of Moses for the people.

-Divine discourse (3-21)

Reminder of the Covenant with name change (3-8)

Father of nations

Exceedingly fruitful (Adamic)

Nations and Kings (royal emphasis)

Generational affect including land promise

Command of obedience with a rite (9-14)

Circumcision-existed before; Egyptian priests were subject to this rite; Pharoah as King-Priest as well.

Every male-Irrespective of age

A “sign” of the covenant

At eight days old-perhaps an allusion to creative order...new creation. Adamic parallel

Not only by birth but anybody that comes into his household (under the promise) whether born or bought

An everlasting covenant

Failure to comply meant exclusion from the people (promise)

Another reminder with a name change (15-21)

This one include Sarai-Sarah (meaning of the name)

Specified that the promised son would come through her

She would be blessed, become nations, kings would come from her.

Abraham responded

Fell on his face and laughed

Much dispute as to his reaction. The falling on his face harkens to his response in verse 3 as a response of reverence. The inclusion of laughing brings about the connotation of doubt or mocking. What I see here is a very real picture of the fact that doubt and reverence are not mutually exclusive. Doubt in the context of reverence is not mocking, its honest.

Abraham’s comment about Ishmael seems to indicate that e still suspects that the promise may be filled in Ishmael. They are not getting younger and natural means of bearing children has become physically unlikely, if not impossible.

God reiterates his intention

He names the child Isaac (means he laughed)

He restates his promised blessing to Ishmael

fruitfulness and multiplication

12 princes (he will father nations also)

His covenant though will be through Isaac and he will be born in a year. (outside of the possible response due to knowledge of pregnancy)

-Divine departure (22)

Provided a book end to the conversation

God went up from him. This indicates an actual appearance and not just a vision experience.

-Divine obedience (23-27)

Abraham’s obedience began with his own son, Ishmael

His obedience was immediate, “that day”

It was according to what God had said

It was marked with their ages (99 and 13)