Abraham's Life of Faith before God, Part 2

Genesis 17: God revisits the earlier covenant.
Following Abram's sin in the last chapter, We have no evidence that there was any communication between God & Abram during this time. It is quite possible that Abram did not realize that Ishmael was not the promised son. The 2nd half of 16, an Angel tells Hagar to go back, and that her son will be a great nation.

Chapter 16:15-17:8

Note God's faithfulness to Abram, in not changing His promise because of Abram’s failure. The first two discussions of a covenant between God & Abram (Chapters 12 & 15) don’t have any stipulations on Abram’s part. God confirms that covenant here, but note how God introduces the subject: "Walk before me, and be blameless."

Chapter 17:9-27

Here we have the first stipulation of God’s covenant with Abraham. It is an outward sign, a physical reminder of God’s covenant with Abraham. Much like believers baptism, but closely tied with what the promise was focused around, fertility.

Newly renamed Abraham has Three responses
1. Laughter:
Abraham’s first response is doubtful laughter. Later, Sarah is rebuked for the exact same thing. I identify with Abraham here. It's difficult to hear that a 99 year old man is going to impregnate his 90 year old, infertile wife. Life simply doesn't happen that way.

2. Intercession for his Son:
Despite his laughter, he doesn’t specifically question God, he intercedes for his current son. This is good, in that he is interceding for his son, demonstrating love. He cares for Ishmael, who is 13 by now. But it is bad in that God just told him that Ishmael wasn’t the one. It could be that Abraham was doubting God, or questioning the wisdom of having Sarah be the mother. In addition to his had misgivings about his wife’s ability to conceive, he has a son already. Imagine having God reject your child just as they begin to make significant strides toward adulthood.


3. Obedience:
Ultimately, Abraham obeys. He obeys immediately. On the same day God gives him the command, something we rarely do. He obeys completely. Every man in the house, without exception, including his (just rejected) son. He obeys despite pain. This is a 99 year old man doing surgery on himself. Very delicate surgery.

God never promised obedience would be easy. At this point, Abraham has been walking with God for 23 years. To show for that:

• He lives in a tent in the boondocks, despite God’s promise of a land for his descendents
• An old and infertile wife, despite God’s promises for her to have a son
• A son by a concubine who God has rejected
• A large amount of physical pain.

Do you want to know why you’re going through something? Honestly, I have no idea. I can say, though, that God has a much broader perspective than we do. He knows our troubles, and there is a purpose. We may not see it in this life, but ultimatly, God is in control.