Repeated phrase:
(1) God gave multiple blessings to Abram. "I will confirm my covenant" v.2, 7, "I will give you a multitude of descendants" v.2, "I will make you the father of a multitude of nations," v.5, "I will make you extremely fruitful" v.6, "I will make nations of you" v.6.
God's blessings to Abram was one-sided. He did not ask anything from Abram. He keeps giving different blessings to Abram. He only asked him to walk before Him and be blameless.
v.1 b I am the sovereign God. Walk before me and be blameless.
(BDB) Walk before me (live constantly in my presence) and (so) be perfect"
(NET) 1) If it simply refers in a neutral way to serving the LORD, then the second imperative is likely sequential. (2) But if it has a positive moral connotation (“serve me faithfully”), then the second imperative probably indicates purpose (or result).
(2) God's blessings are perpetual. "my covenant as perpetual covenant" v.7, "I will be your God and the God of your descendants" v.7, "I will give the whole land...as a permanent possession" v.8.
Question:
God is so good to Abram then what is the expectations to Abram?
(3) "As for you, you must keep the covenantal requirement" v.9, "This is the requirement that you...must keep," v.10. That requirement is the circumcision, the sign of the covenant
v.13 b "The sign of my covenant will be visible in your flesh as a permanent reminder."
The theme of permanent is repeating. The blessings will be permanent and the sign also is also permanently present in their body. God does not like short term relationship. He loves Abram and He loves us. His loving is long term to show His determination. He does not move.
Audrey
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