Genesis Chapter 17 marks a significant moment in the covenant relationship between God and Abram, as God reaffirms His promises and establishes the covenant of circumcision.
God Renames Abram and Sarai:
When Abram is 99 years old, God appears to him and declares that He is God Almighty (El
Shaddai). God tells Abram to walk before Him faithfully and be blameless.
God changes Abram’s name to Abraham, meaning “father of many nations,” signifying the
promise that he will be the father of a multitude of nations.
God also changes Sarai’s name to Sarah, meaning “princess,” and promises that she will
bear a son, who will be named Isaac.
The Covenant of Circumcision:
God establishes a covenant with Abraham, promising that He will make him exceedingly
fruitful and that nations and kings will come from him.
As a sign of this covenant, God commands Abraham and his descendants to practice
circumcision. Every male among them, including those born in the household or bought with
money, must be circumcised on the eighth day after birth.
This act of circumcision serves as a physical reminder of the covenant between God and
Abraham’s descendants.
God’s Promise of Isaac:
Abraham expresses disbelief at the idea of having a son at his age and questions God about
Ishmael, his son with Hagar. God reassures Abraham that Sarah will bear him a son, Isaac,
and that He will establish His covenant with Isaac and his descendants.
God acknowledges Ishmael and promises to bless him, making him fruitful and multiplying
him greatly, but emphasizes that His covenant will be established with Isaac.
Abraham’s Obedience:
Following God’s instructions, Abraham circumcises himself and all the males in his
household, demonstrating his obedience to God’s command.
Genesis Chapter 17 is pivotal in the narrative of Abraham and the establishment of the covenant that shapes the identity of the Israelite people. It underscores the themes of faith, obedience, and the unfolding of God’s redemptive plan.