Explanation - Covenant's Mark (Genesis 17)

 

Explanation

Covenant's Mark

(Genesis 17) 

Genesis 17 is a chapter in the Book of Genesis in the Bible. It focuses on the covenant between God and Abraham and introduces the rite of circumcision as a sign of this covenant.

In Genesis 17, God appears to Abram (later known as Abraham) when he is 99 years old and reaffirms His covenant with him. God promises to make Abram exceedingly fruitful and establish a covenant with him that will result in numerous descendants. Abram falls on his face in reverence to God.

God changes Abram's name to Abraham, which means "father of many nations." This change reflects the promise of God to make him the father of a multitude of nations.

God promises to bless Abraham and make him the father of many nations, with kings coming from him. The land of Canaan is also promised as an everlasting possession for Abraham and his descendants.

As a sign of the covenant, God establishes the practice of circumcision. Every male child, including those born in Abraham's household and future generations, is to be circumcised on the eighth day of their lives. This physical mark is to serve as a sign of the covenant between God and Abraham's descendants.

God also renames Abraham's wife Sarai to Sarah, promising that she will bear a son and that nations and kings will come from her.

Abraham, astonished by God's promise, falls on his face and laughs. He asks if Ishmael, his son with Sarah's maidservant Hagar, can be the one through whom the covenant is fulfilled. But God reaffirms that Sarah herself will bear a son, who will be named Isaac, and the covenant will be established through him.

God assures Abraham that Ishmael will also be blessed and will become a great nation. However, the covenant and the promised blessings will be established through Isaac.

Abraham immediately obeys God's command and circumcises himself, his son Ishmael, and all the males in his household, including his servants.

Genesis 17 highlights the covenant between God and Abraham, the change of names, the promise of numerous descendants, and the establishment of circumcision as a sign of the covenant. It sets the stage for the future events involving Abraham's descendants, as the fulfillment of God's promises gradually unfolds.

Covenant's Mark

 

In ancient days, a promise made,

A covenant with Abraham laid.

Genesis 17, the sacred scroll,

Unveiling truths, a story to extol.

 

God appeared to Abram, old and wise,

With blessings vast that would arise.

"Abraham," He said, a name reborn,

"Father of nations, your legacy adorned."

 

A multitude of descendants, God foretold,

Kings and nations, a future to unfold.

The land of Canaan, forever their own,

A promise eternal, seeds yet unknown.

 

To seal this bond, a rite was assigned,

Circumcision, a mark divinely designed.

On the eighth day, sons would bear,

A symbol of faith, a sign to declare.

 

Sarai, now Sarah, her name transformed,

A mother of nations, her destiny adorned.

Laughter erupted from Abraham's lips,

As Isaac's birth came with miraculous flips.

 

Ishmael, too, would receive God's grace,

A great nation, his destined place.

But through Isaac, the covenant revealed,

Generations blessed, the truth unsealed.

 

Abraham, obedient, took the knife,

Circumcising all, his household's life.

With faith unwavering, he followed through,

The covenant marked, a commitment true.

 

Genesis 17, a tale profound,

Of promises given, of blessings unbound.

Circumcision's significance, the covenant's art,

A testament to faith engraved in every heart.

Explanation

Verses 1 to 10 of Genesis 17 provide a detailed account of God's appearance to Abram (later known as Abraham) and the establishment of the covenant between them.

 

Verse 1: "When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, 'I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless.'"

At the age of ninety-nine, Abram receives a visitation from the LORD. God introduces Himself as "Almighty God" and instructs Abram to walk before Him and be blameless. This emphasizes the importance of living a righteous and faithful life in the presence of God.

 

Verse 2: "And I will make My covenant between Me and you and will multiply you exceedingly."

God assures Abram that He will establish a covenant between them. Within this covenant, God promises to multiply Abram's descendants significantly, indicating that he will become the father of many nations.

 

Verse 3: "Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying:"

Overwhelmed by God's presence and the promises He is making, Abram humbly falls on his face before God. This position reflects his reverence and submission to God. God continues to speak to him.

 

Verse 4: "As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations."

God reaffirms His covenant with Abram, emphasizing that it is a covenant directly between Him and Abram. God reiterates that Abram will indeed become the father of many nations, emphasizing the fulfillment of this promise.

 

Verse 5: "No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations."

God changes Abram's name to Abraham, which carries a significant meaning. The name "Abraham" means "father of a multitude" or "father of many nations," symbolizing the fulfillment of God's promise to make him the patriarch of numerous descendants.

 

Verse 6: "I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you."

God further emphasizes the magnitude of His promise to Abraham. Not only will Abraham have many descendants, but nations will also arise from him, and kings will emerge from his lineage. This demonstrates the future importance and influence of Abraham's descendants.

 

Verse 7: "And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you."

God clarifies that the covenant established with Abraham is not limited to him alone but extends to his future generations. It is an everlasting covenant, indicating that it will endure throughout the generations. God promises to be their God and the God of their descendants, signifying a continuous relationship and divine protection.

 

Verse 8: "Also, I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession, and I will be their God."

God designates the land of Canaan as an everlasting possession for Abraham and his descendants. Canaan is the promised land, a place of inheritance for Abraham's descendants. In addition to the land, God reiterates His commitment to be their God, emphasizing the close relationship between Himself and Abraham's lineage.

 

Verse 9-10: "And God said to Abraham: 'As for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations. This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male child among you shall be circumcised.'"

God instructs Abraham to fulfill his part of the covenant. Both he and his descendants are to keep the covenant throughout the generations. The specific command given is the practice of circumcision, where every male child among Abraham's descendants is to be circumcised as a physical sign of their participation in the covenant. This act symbolizes their separation and dedication to God and serves as a constant reminder of their covenant relationship.

Verses 11 to 20 of Genesis 17 continue the conversation between God and Abraham, focusing on the significance of circumcision and the promise of a son through Sarah.

 

Verse 11: "And you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you."

God reiterates the command for Abraham to undergo circumcision. The circumcision of the flesh of the foreskin is to serve as a visible and permanent sign of the covenant between God and Abraham. It distinguishes Abraham and his descendants as participants in the covenant relationship with God.

 

Verse 12: "He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised, every male child in your generations, he who is born in your house or bought with money from any foreigner who is not your descendant."

God provides instructions for the application of circumcision. Every male child, whether born into Abraham's household or acquired through purchase, is to be circumcised on the eighth day of their lives. This command applies to future generations as well, emphasizing the enduring nature of the covenant and its sign.

 

Verse 13: "He who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money must be circumcised, and My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant."

God emphasizes the universality of circumcision within Abraham's household. Both those born into the household and those acquired as slaves or servants must undergo circumcision. The covenant marked in their flesh serves as an everlasting reminder of their relationship with God.

 

Verse 14: "And the uncircumcised male child, who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant."

God establishes a serious consequence for neglecting circumcision. Any male child who is not circumcised and thus not marked by the covenant is to be cut off from his people. This exclusion from the community signifies a severance of the covenant relationship and highlights the importance of obedience to God's command.

 

Verse 15: "Then God said to Abraham, 'As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name.'"

God now turns the conversation to Abraham's wife, Sarai. He declares that her name will be changed to Sarah. This change signifies a shift in her identity and role, as she is about to receive a specific promise from God.

 

Verse 16: "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."

God reveals His plan to bless Sarah and grant her a son. He assures Abraham that through Sarah, he will have a son, and Sarah herself will be blessed. Furthermore, God promises that Sarah will become a mother of nations, and kings will arise from her lineage. This affirms the significance of Sarah's role in the fulfillment of God's covenant promises.

 

Verse 17: "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?'"

Upon hearing God's promise, Abraham reacts with a mix of astonishment and humor. He falls on his face and laughs, contemplating the idea of having a child at his advanced age of one hundred and Sarah's age of ninety. Abraham's response reflects both a sense of awe at God's power and a touch of doubt regarding the feasibility of the promise.

 

Verse 18: "And Abraham said to God, 'Oh, that Ishmael might live before You!'"

Abraham expresses his desire that Ishmael, his son born to Hagar, might be the one through whom the covenant is fulfilled. He offers Ishmael as a possible candidate to God, seeking assurance that his firstborn will not be overlooked or excluded from God's blessings.

 

Verse 19: "Then God said: 'No, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his descendants after him.'"

God responds to Abraham's plea and affirms that the promised son will come through Sarah. God specifies that the child's name will be Isaac. Furthermore, God assures Abraham that His covenant will be established with Isaac and his descendants, emphasizing the everlasting nature of this covenant.

 

Verse 20: "And as for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall beget twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation."

God addresses Abraham's concern for Ishmael and assures him that Ishmael will also receive blessings. God promises to bless Ishmael, making him fruitful and multiplying his descendants greatly. Ishmael will become the father of twelve princes, and a great nation will arise from him. Although the covenant will be established through Isaac, God shows His favor and care for Ishmael as well.

 

In these verses, God provides instructions regarding circumcision, changes Sarai's name to Sarah, promises a son through her, clarifies that the covenant will be established through Isaac, and assures Abraham of blessings upon Ishmael. This dialogue solidifies the details of God's plan and reaffirms His faithfulness to fulfill His promises.

Verses 21 to 27 of Genesis 17 continue the narrative of God's interaction with Abraham and the implementation of circumcision. Here is an explanation of each verse:

 

Verse 21: "But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this set time next year."

God reiterates that His covenant will specifically be established through Isaac, the son who will be born to Sarah. God specifies the timing, stating that Sarah will bear Isaac at the appointed time, which is set to be within the coming year. This reaffirms God's plan and timeline for the fulfillment of His promise.

 

Verse 22: "Then He finished talking with him, and God went up from Abraham."

Having completed the conversation and the imparting of His message to Abraham, God concludes His direct communication with him and departs. This signifies the end of their encounter and the completion of the revelation.

 

Verse 23: "So Abraham took Ishmael his son, all who were born in his house and all who were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's house, and circumcised the flesh of their foreskins that very same day, as God had said to him."

Abraham immediately acts in obedience to God's command. He gathers Ishmael, his son, as well as all the males born in his household and those acquired through purchase. On that very day, in accordance with God's instruction, Abraham proceeds to circumcise the flesh of their foreskins. This demonstrates Abraham's prompt response and commitment to fulfilling God's command.

 

Verse 24: "Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin."

The verse states Abraham's age at the time of his circumcision, emphasizing that it occurred when he was ninety-nine years old. This detail highlights Abraham's obedience and willingness to undergo the physical sign of the covenant, despite his advanced age.

 

Verse 25: "And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin."

The verse specifies the age of Ishmael at the time of his circumcision, noting that he was thirteen years old. Ishmael's circumcision marked his inclusion in the covenant and demonstrated his participation in the covenantal sign along with Abraham and the other males in their household.

 

Verse 26: "That very same day Abraham was circumcised, and his son Ishmael;"

The verse reiterates the immediate action taken by Abraham and Ishmael. Both Abraham and his son were circumcised on the same day, emphasizing the simultaneous adherence to God's command and the unity of their participation in the covenantal sign.

 

Verse 27: "and all the men of his house, born in the house or bought with money from a foreigner, were circumcised with him."

The verse concludes by noting that all the males in Abraham's household, whether born into the household or acquired through purchase, underwent circumcision along with him. This inclusivity underscores the fulfillment of God's command and the establishment of circumcision as a shared mark of the covenant for all the males within Abraham's household.

Important Points

 

·      God appears to Abram (later Abraham) when he is ninety-nine years old and establishes a covenant with him.

·      God promises to multiply Abram's descendants exceedingly and make him the father of many nations.

·      Abram's name is changed to Abraham, signifying his role as the father of a multitude.

·      God promises to give Abraham and his descendants the land of Canaan as an everlasting possession.

·      The covenant is marked by the practice of circumcision, with every male child in Abraham's household to be circumcised on the eighth day.

·      Circumcision serves as a sign of the covenant between God and Abraham's descendants.

·      God promises to bless Abraham's wife Sarai (later Sarah) and assures him that she will bear him a son named Isaac.

·      God establishes that the covenant will be established through Isaac, not through Abraham's firstborn son Ishmael.

·      Ishmael is also promised blessings, including becoming a great nation with twelve princes.

·      Abraham immediately obeys God's command and circumcises himself, Ishmael, and all the males in his household.

·      Abraham's age and Ishmael's age at the time of circumcision are specified.

·      The chapter emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's commands and the faithfulness of God to fulfill His promises.

 

These key points highlight the establishment of the covenant, the change of names, the practice of circumcision, the promise of Isaac's birth, and the distinction between the roles of Ishmael and Isaac in the fulfillment of the covenant. The chapter showcases Abraham's obedience and God's faithfulness in carrying out His plans.

Quotable Quotes

 

"I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless." - Genesis 17:1

This quote highlights God's introduction to Abram (Abraham) and sets the expectation of walking before God with blamelessness, emphasizing the importance of living a righteous life in God's presence.

 

"I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you." - Genesis 17:6

God's promise to Abraham emphasizes the magnitude of blessings that await him. This quote expresses the assurance of abundant descendants and the future rise of kings from Abraham's lineage.

 

"Every male child among you shall be circumcised." - Genesis 17:10

This command from God introduces the practice of circumcision as a physical sign of the covenant between God and Abraham's descendants. It emphasizes the importance of obedience and commitment to the covenant relationship.

 

"I will bless her [Sarah] 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

In this quote, God assures Abraham that Sarah will bear him a son. It highlights the significance of Sarah's role in the fulfillment of God's promises, proclaiming her as a mother of nations and the source of future kings.

 

"Is anything too hard for the LORD?" - Genesis 18:14

Though this quote is from a subsequent chapter, it captures the essence of God's power and ability to accomplish the seemingly impossible. It serves as a reminder of God's limitless capabilities and invites trust and faith in His plans and promises.

 

These quotes encapsulate key themes and promises from Genesis 17, reflecting God's sovereignty, faithfulness, and the expectations He places on Abraham and his descendants.