Genesis chapter 17th opens with a covenant conversation between God and Abram. As the story unfolds, we will meet our Heavenly Father in a new way. Verses 1-4 “When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, I am God Almighty walk before me faithfully and be blameless. Then I will make my covenant between you and me and will greatly increase your numbers. 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.” God reaffirms his covenant with Abram, and in verses 5-6, Abram undergoes a divine name change. It states, “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.” Abram means exalted father-whereas Abraham means Father of a multitude of nations. Verses 7-8 are even more telling. Here is where God states that this covenant is everlasting, “I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between you and me; 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.” The word everlasting further solidifies that the nation of Israel is the nation that will introduce the one true God to all other nations.
As Abraham receives a new name, he also receives a word from God that will set apart the nation of Israel, and subsequently, all of God’s people. Verses 10-11 require something from Abraham. It states, “This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep; every male among you shall be circumcised. You are to undergo circumcision, which will be a sign of the covenant between you and me. For the generations to come, every male among you, who is eight days old, must be circumcised, including those born to your household or bought with money from a foreigner-those who are not your offspring.” These verses are the groundwork for our salvation; we are called to be separated from the world to be a peculiar people (1Peter 2:9) as Christians. Deuteronomy 30:6 sums it up beautifully. “The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants; So, that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul and live.” God continued his bond with the family, as one man, one woman, and children (Genesis 2:18-25); Sarai also received her name change to Sarah (vs. 15.)
Although the world may accept the things that God has not blessed, as His people, we must stand by His truth as stated in His word. And remain a peculiar people. Let me encourage you to continually turn to God for the truth, not the world. I encourage you to read Genesis chapter 17 and allow the word of God along with the illumination from the Holy Spirit to help you walk in His truth.
Remember, God loves you, and so do I.