WORDS OF COVENANT PROMISES (3)

“And I will bless her and also give you a son by her; then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall be from her” – Genesis 17:16

GOD reaffirmed His WORDS of COVENANT PROMISES not only to Abraham, but also concerning Sarah: “Then God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. And I will bless her and also give you a son by her; then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall be from her” (Gen.17:15-16). God’s promises are never partial or incomplete. He makes all things perfect in their time. His promise of a son through Sarah was a key component of the Abrahamic Covenant.

GOD restated the promise of a son to both Abraham and Sarah, along with a change of name from Sarai to Sarah (vv.15-16). Sarai, meaning my lady or my princess, confined her dominion to one family; while Sarah signifies “the princess of a multitude” – absolutely without restriction. God’s emphasis on the word “her” – “I will bless her” – made it plain that this son would not come about by another surrogate-mother situation (as with Hagar and Ishmael). Sarah herself would give birth, even though it was past her time in life to do so (about 90 years old at this time).

Abraham’s response to God’s promise was intriguing: “Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, “Shall a child be born to a man who is one hundred years old? And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” And Abraham said to God, “Oh, that Ishmael might live before You!” (vv.17-18). His laughter didn’t seem to be one of cynical doubt, but instead of rejoicing in something he knew was impossible by all outward appearance, but that God could perform. Abraham knew both he and Sarah were well past the time people normally have children. Yet Abraham believed, as Paul in Romans 4: 18-22 wonderfully described his faith in this promise:

“Who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness”

At the same time, Abraham didn’t really understand God’s promise completely. He exclaimed: “Oh, that Ishmael might live before You!” (v.18b). He thought God simply meant Ishmael would be Sarah’s spiritual son. Abraham – like all of us – found it hard to trust God for the naturally impossible. God had to repeat the promise and even named the child that Sarah would bear (vv.19-21). He’ll be named Isaac (laughter) because he would be a Joy to his parents, but also to always remind Abraham he laughed at God’s promise to give him a son through Sarah at such late age. God assured Abraham that He had answered his prayer for blessing on Ishmael, making him fruitful and multiplying him exceedingly. Nevertheless, the covenant and its promises would pass only through the Son of Promise, Isaac!

Faithfully obedient Abraham promptly executed God’s command of circumcision (vv.23-27). Abraham’s obedience was: complete (every male among the men of his house); prompt (that very same day); and daring (to virtually incapacitate all his fighting men at the same time). Abraham didn’t need to pray or consult a committee about this. GOD SAID IT, and HE DID IT – a wonderful example of obedience and faith. Abraham’s belief in the covenant was proved by his obedience to the command. Christians are not obligated to be circumcised except for social or hygienic reasons; it doesn’t get us any closer to God (Gal.5:6). The Lesson is: What we really believe will show in our actions!