vv. 1-14
1. context: 13 years after the birth of Ishmael, and right before the conception of Isaac
2. R.W. the promise now became a covenant=it is confirmed v. 2, with expansions v. 4-14
a. father of multitude nations ch 12 blessed all nations
b. perpetual covenant V. 7, 8, 13
C. Keep the covenant requirement v.9 10, 13 i.e. circumcise, a visible sign of a cut in the reproductive organ and related to be clean
3. Reflection
multiplying, perpetual are impotent in a covenant. those will make a good covenant. God wants this kind of blessed with Abram. He is a generous and gracious God. He is also generous and gracious to me.
The purpose of the sign of covenant was meaningful to those who are under the covenant. God also wants me to remember what He promised to me in a meaningful way, i.e. the communion. Let the meaning of communion remind me the sacrifice of Jesus and the hope of future fills my heart every day.
v.15-27
1. Abraham laughed v.17 as he heard God saying that Sarah would be blessed and bore a son v.16. Laughing was a sign of unbelief, because right after that he asked God to bless Ishmael v.18.
But God was very firm about Sarah being the mother of Isaac, the one God would confirm His covenant with v.19, 21.
Abraham did not laugh anymore after v.21 (in ch 18, only Sarah laughed, no more from Abraham). That means, what God said from v.19-21 changed Abraham's faith.
Reflection: Did God's word change my unbelieving heart? Is my heart open and soft to receive the seed and grow in faith? Or I am stubborn and my heart is dry, weed-infested?
2. When God went up from Abram-R.W. in v.23-27
every male in his household...circumcised them v.23
All the men of his household...were circumcised with him v.27
on that very same day, just as God had told him to do v.23
on the very same day v.26
3. Summary and Reflection: Abraham was 99 and circumcision was not very easy for an elderly man, but he did not waste 1 day to contemplate about whether he should obey or not. When every male in his household was undergoing the pain of circumcision it was also the most vulnerable time to enemy's attack. All this factor did not swing Abraham's heart to obey God. How about me? Do I see my problem larger than obedience? Do I calculate all the possible risk and be paralyzed by them?
4. Questions
1) v.1 I am the Sovereign God
2) v.2 a multitude of descendants, v.4 the father of a multitude of nations, perpetual covenant V. 7, 8, 13
v.8 the whole land of Canaan
3) KEEP THE covenant requirement v.9 10, 13 i.e. circumcise, a visible sign of a cut in the reproductive organ and related to be clean which is related to the covenant of descendants and also it is perpetual. (v.11 This will be a reminder of the covenant between me and you)
4) First have doubt, after God confirmed, then he obeyed. He walked by faith.
5) ?? Before ch 17, they might think that Ishmael was the promised son.
6) God promised me salvation in Jesus Christ; He dwells in me, and will never leave me alone. I should not live in doubt but obeyed His command.
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