Genesis 17:1-14 // Set Aside for God
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I am God Almighty (verse 1-2)
I am God Almighty (verse 1-2)
99 years old – now 24 years since God first called I’m from his home and made His promise to him.
El Shadday – I am God Almighty
First time name used in the Bible. (focuses God’s might and power.)
Title but explains His nature.
Two commands to Abram
Walk before me – keep a continued relationship with God
Be blameless – Life a holy and righteous life
These commands show the nature of a relationship with God.
In a time where we understand that righteousness comes through faith. We tend to discount the importance of living righteously before the Almighty God.
Father of a Multitude (verse 4-5)
Father of a Multitude (verse 4-5)
“As for me…”
As begins to God introduce the terms of this covenant, He starts His part.
I am giving you a new name.
Change you name to Abraham
Abram: “exulted father” pointed back to Terah.
Abraham: “father of a multitude” look ahead to the promise (descendents)
Imagine the looks this must have created.
99 year old man with one child,
Then changing his name to “father of a multitude”
Sometimes we live in obedience leaning on the promise of Psalm 37:5-6
Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act.
He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
and your justice as the noonday.
· We are a part of what God is doing:
God reveals His glory through the lives of His servants.
The Sign of Circumcision (verse 6-14)
The Sign of Circumcision (verse 6-14)
· The terms of the covenant led by the “I will” statements
“I will make you fruitful…” (v6)
“I will make nations of you” (highlights the grand scale of the promise”
“Kings will come from you” (Highlights the honorable nature of this promise.)
“I will establish my covenant” (v7)
“as an everlasting covenant.”
Pointing to Christ. (everlasting)
“Between me and you and of your descendence after you.”
Pointing to the nation of Israel (Ex 1:7)
But the people of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them.
Also pointing to all those in Christ (Gal 3:16)
Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ.
“I will give to you and to your offspring after you” (v8)
The land of your sojourning
For an everlasting possession.
“I will be their God”
God Almighty (el shadday) promises to be their God.
Blessings and peace & promise
Many people boast of their gods
But there is only ONE true, living God
This was in invitation to be a part of His family
“As for you.” (verse 9)
You shall keep my covenant
You and your offspring after you
The instruction (though simple) are extremely deep
just ad the command to “Love you neighbor”
This is my covenant:
Circumcision
What is it?
Cut off the foreskin of flesh.
After 8 days.
Not only for Abraham’s direct lineage
Not a racial designation
Not a social designation
What is the purpose of circumcision?
What is the purpose of circumcision?
To the Israelites:
A sign of the covenant relationship between them and God.
To the New Testament Church:
In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,
Also a sign of the covenant relationship with God.
Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.”
Then (as now) we have been given the option to reject God’s offer. (v 14)
Those who do will be cut off