Repeated phrase:
(1) Name changing
v.5 No longer will your name be Abram. Instead, your name will be Abraham because I will make you the father of a multitude of nations.
(NET) The renaming of Abram was a sign of confirmation to the patriarch. Every time the name was used it would be a reminder of God’s promise. “Abram” means “exalted father,” probably referring to Abram’s father Terah. The name looks to the past; Abram came from noble lineage. The name “Abraham” is a dialectical variant of the name Abram... The new name would be a reminder of God’s intention to make Abraham the father of a multitude.
v.15b “As for your wife, you must no longer call her Sarai; Sarah will be her name.
he name change seems to be a dialectical variation, both spellings meaning “princess” or “queen.” Like the name Abram, the name Sarai symbolized the past. The new name Sarah, like the name Abraham, would be a reminder of what God intended to do for Sarah in the future.
As I remember, there is no other woman that God gives them a new name, except, Sarah. He would also make Abraham the Father of all nations. The way to become the Father of all nations was provided by God, not by human effort. God would give a son to the 100 y.o. and the 90 y.o. He is the God that make impossible possible.
Reflection: We went through born again when we believe. With the new life in Christ we can live according to the Spirit. We do not make those changes in our lives, but we believe God is the One who can change us as He can make the 100/90 y.o. to have a son.
I have couple nights woke up and hard to go back to sleep. Therefore, last night I prayed that I would have a good night sleep. I told God that I was willing to follow the Holy Spirit. Then at 3pm I woke up again at my usual time to do so. I tried to go back to sleep and suddenly I thought about something that made me worry. Then I said to myself, I would listen to the Holy Spirit and committed to do so. The next thing I know is I woke up this morning with perfect rest. I thank God for this experience. I dont know how the Holy Spirit works in my heart. I only know that it is not me who try to manipulate my feeling, but God helps me!
(2)Sarah's son, Isaac, was the person that inherit the covenant from Abraham, not Ishmael.
v.19b I will confirm my covenant with him as a perpetual covenant for his descendants after him
v.21 But I will establish my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this set time next year
v.20 As for Ishmael, I have heard you. I will indeed bless him, make him fruitful, and give him a multitude of descendants. He will become the father of twelve princes; I will make him into a great nation
There is a difference between Ishmael and Isaac. Ishmael only had the blessings, but Isaac would have the covenant. The difference is that a covenant indicate a relationship. Just like God gave the new name to Abraham and Sarah to remind them of their new relationship with God.
Reflection: What about us? Do you always remember your new relationship with God? Becoming a Christian does not just mean we have the blessings of eternal life. Rather it is a new relationship with God. Do we enjoy the fellowship with God? Or do we enjoy God?
Audrey
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