Genesis 17

God appears again to Abram 13 years after the birth of Ishmael. God reasserts His covenant with Abram. God announces Himself as “El Shaddai” or “God Almighty.” God requires Abram to “walk before me and be blameless.” God desires His people to walk before Him. Obviously, the covenant is not based upon Abram being perfect because his lack of faith appears often. What I like about Abraham is his ability to get better after his failures. It is important to get up after we stumble, and continue walking with the Lord.

Abram fell facedown. This is an act of faith. As God has revealed Himself to Abram with a new name “El Shaddai” God gives Abram a new name. God changes Abram’s name to Abraham. Abram means “exalted father” while Abraham means “father of many.” God then proclaims His covenant with Abraham again. In v. 8 the promise of land is given, but don’t miss the last part of that verse, “I will be their God.” That is the most significant part of the promise. Abraham is told to circumcise the males as a sign of the covenant. Symbolism has always been big with God. Today Baptism and Lord’s Supper are symbols that our Lord set up that should be practiced with reverence. We need to always be on guard that observance of these ordinances is not to be done lightly or flippantly.

After hearing God speak Abraham again questioned the covenant. With a laugh he tried to tell God that the promise would be through Ishmael. God again has to correct Abraham that though Ishmael has been promised a blessing the ultimate promise will come through a child that will be born to Sarai (Sarah). Yes, a child being born to a man 100 years of age and a woman who of 90 years of age is humanly impossible but not with God. Abraham and Sarah’s child was to be named Isaac, but the ultimate fulfillment of the promise will come much further down the linage line when a more miraculous birth occurs at the birth of Jesus.. Though I never want to applaud doubt and a lack of faith I must admit that reading of Abraham’s slips into unbelief encourages me that when I backslide I can get right back on the path with my journey with God. Walking by faith is always an exciting adventure.

“Today, help us to walk before You, O Lord, by being faithful and blameless in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.”