SCRIPTURE: GENESIS 17
BIBLE VERSES:
“Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram, your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. The whole land of Canaan, where you now reside as a foreigner, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God.” (Genesis 17:3-8)
“For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner—those who are not your offspring. Whether born in your household or bought with your money, they must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh is to be an everlasting covenant” (Genesis 17:12-13)
God also said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah. I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.” (Genesis 17:15-16)
“Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised, and his son Ishmael was thirteen; Abraham and his son Ishmael were both circumcised on that very day. And every male in Abraham’s household, including those born in his household or bought from a foreigner, was circumcised with him.” (Genesis 17:24-26)
THE COVENANT OF CIRCUMCISION (vs. 1-27)
When Abram was 99 years old, God confirmed his covenant with Abram to become the father of many nations. He changed his name to Braham and ssured him to be his God and god of his descendants for the generations to come. He also gave the whole land of Canaan as an everlasting possessions for him and his descendants.
God also made a covenant for Abraham to keep. That is : Every male who is 8 days old must be circumcised. This is an everlasting covenant in flesh. God also changed the name of Sarai to Sarah. He promised to bless her a son and she will be mother of all nations. Kings of people will come from her.
Abraham was laughing because he could not believe to have a son when he was 99 years old and his wife 90. But God affirm his everlasting covenant to bear him a son to be called Isaac. He also promised to bless his son Ishmael and make him fruitful and become a great nation. That very day, Abraham took his son Ismael including all those born in his household to be circumcised. Abraham was 99 years old while Ishmael was 13.
THOUGHTS:
In Bible history, a new man means a new beginning. God revealed himself as “God Almighty – El Shaddai”. Abram meaning exalted father to Abraham meaning “father of a multitude” Sarrai meaning contentious became Sarah “a princess”. And the long awaited son would be “Isaac-laughter”.
God never fails in his promise. It was impossible for Abraham (100 years) and Sarah (90) years to have a baby. But for God, nothing is impossible. When you encounter problem, hardship, trials or unanswered prayer, cling on the the miracle of faith. Remember these promises from God. Luke 1:37 – Nothing is impossible for God / Gen. 18:14 – “Is anything too haaaaard for the Lord?” / Jer. 32:17-“There is nothing too hard for the Lord / Eph. 3:20 – “God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think” / Phil. 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthen me”
God required circumcision as a sign of obedience to Him. It is a symbol of cutting off the old life of sin, purifying one’s heart and dedicating oneself to God. Today, believers’ circumcision implies the inward circumcision of the heart that accompanies true salvation through the death of Christ.