Genesis 18:20-21 "God Will Go Down"

Genesis 18:20-21: And the Lord said, “The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave. I will go down, and see if they have done entirely according to its outcry, which has come to Me; and if not, I will know.”

Since God decided in the previous verses that He would let Abraham in on His plans for Sodom and Gomorrah, He now shares what is about to happen. First, He indicates that He has heard an “outcry” from the two cities. The Hebrew word used here is ‘za’aq’ and it normally refers to a cry for aid. Whether this actually came from the more God-conscious citizens of Sodom and Gomorrah or whether it came from the heart of God Himself is not known at this point in the text although later evidence points to the fact that it was more likely the latter. In fact, this crying that God reacts to may be something similar to what was referenced in Genesis 4:10 when God, after Cain killed Abel said to him “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground.” Yet another interpretation may be that since verse 21 refers to “its outcry”, there is an implication that the outcry originated from the inanimate cities themselves, and perhaps not the people in the cities. In any case, God had to do something.

As we watch the world today we cannot help but wonder how much more God’s eyes and heart can withstand as truly our own generation’s “sin is exceedingly grave” as was that of Sodom and Gomorrah. God will act in due time. In the case before us here, God indicated that He personally would go down to the cities to see if indeed the facts match His sensed outcry. And He added that He would not be fooled. He would know whether or not it does. Man does not ultimately get away with sin.

His “going down” may refer to God simply moving along from Abraham’s place to Sodom and Gomorrah, since these words seem to have been uttered as God was leaving Abraham’s tent. On the other hand, the Hebrew words seem to indicate a translation that includes some descending from above or on high. Either way, God finds His way to where inequities abound and He deals with them.

But before we leave these verses there is one slight glimmer of hope. God still wants to check out if indeed there is any chance that it is not as bad as He has heard or felt. Perhaps there are some there that have not partaken in the great sin of the two cities. God always looks for those wherever trouble or unrighteousness abounds.

It would be great if you would share your thoughts or questions on this blog in the comments section below or on social media.

Genesis 18:16-19 On Gaining God's Confidence

Genesis 18:16-19: Then the men rose up from there, and looked down toward Sodom; and Abraham was walking with them to send them off. And the Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, since Abraham will surely become a great and mighty nation, and in him all the nations of the earth will be blessed? For I have chosen him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice; in order that the Lord may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him.”

God had the final word and then He and the men with him left Abraham’s home. When God speaks, He does not sit around to argue with you or me. It is up to us to decide what to do with what He has said. Sarah was left with God’s final word on her actions.

Abraham’s visitors looked down toward Sodom and moved in that direction. Again, like a model host, Abraham walked with them part way to see them off. Abraham was exhibiting the honor his guests deserve. And it is because of this honor and love that he extended to them, that clearly God paused long enough to consider whether or not He should share with Abraham what was about to happen with respect to Sodom. God takes those that love Him dearly into His confidence on certain matters. That is why sometimes we hear devoted people say, “I have a peace in my heart about what God is going to do here.” In Abraham’s case, the Lord speaks again, but it is not clear whether he spoke to Himself or to those that were with Him, or openly so that Abraham could hear Him. Nevertheless, because of who Abraham is and what he will be, God decides to let him in on the future of a land that is dear to Abraham, if only for the fact that his nephew Lot and his family had settled there.

Part of God’s reasoning in sharing the future with Abraham was the phrase, “For I have chosen him.” When God chooses us, He has great plans for us and He works with us on those plans if we let Him. He was doing that earlier with Abraham with respect to an heir and here in this passage, He is about to do it with respect to Sodom’s future. But tucked away in these verses is part of the on-going relationship requirement between God and His chosen ones. The text says God chose Abraham “in order that” he “commands” his children and household (which included Abraham’s business in those days) to keep God’s way by doing what is righteous and just. But it does not stop there, it continues to say, that all this is required “in order that” God brings to Abraham the blessings or covenant He has made with him.

This passage certainly gives rise to questions. What does the word ‘command’ mean here? What if Abraham does his part, but the children do not? What about God’s promise to Abraham? Why won’t God help Abraham if the children or household do not live righteously and justly? And so on.

Today we may use the word command in two ways, both to order others to do something (as in “I command you to leave”) or to take charge and be responsible for the operation of something (as in “he was in command of the ship”). The Hebrew word used in our current text is tsavah and translators seem to favor the first of our two modern uses of the word. I know I will be in contentious waters here, but I believe God wants us as parents and heads of households and businesses to command those under our authority to follow God’s way but only as long as they want to remain in our authority. We cannot allow our children living at home to do things that are unrighteous or unjust. They cannot break the laws of God or the laws of the land. Employees in our employ and our entire business must be run in a righteous, fair, and ethical manner. But at the same time, we must also note that doing righteous things and acting justly does not constitute a total relationship with God. God wants us to love Him and desire Him as a God and Father.

Based on those two ideas then, a parent or a business owner can only expect that in his household and business, those under his authority will act righteously and justly. He cannot control their hearts or minds. Once they leave his authority, as children get older and get married, as employees leave the business, etc., the father or owner is no longer responsible for them. Clearly, should they continue to live righteously and justly, it will stand the head of the household well, but I believe it is not a requirement for him to receive his promised blessing from God.

It would be great if you would share your thoughts or questions on this blog in the comments section below or on social media.

Genesis 18:13-15 God Knows When You Scorn

Genesis 18:13-15: And the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, when I am so old?’ Is anything too difficult for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” Sarah denied it however, saying, “I did not laugh”; for she was afraid. And He said, “No, but you did laugh.”

These three verses are packed with lessons. First, we notice that the “Lord” asks Abraham “Why did Sarah laugh?” This very question explains the significance of Sarah’s laughing “to herself” as we read in verse 12. If she had laughed out loud, the question would not be as surprising. But only the “Lord” could have been able to hear an internal laugh and also the thinking behind the laugh, so as He could say Sarah was “saying, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, when I am so old?’” Clearly, there’s no escaping the fact that God knows our every thought and feeling.

Secondly, further to our thoughts on the earlier verses, this verse definitely says, “And the Lord said…” Now again, there are two possibilities here. The most likely one is that the Lord God was indeed one of the visitors. The less likely is that He joined the discussion at that point and spoke to Abraham as He done before. I find this is what happens in our own lives. God uses others to direct and guide us, even to test us and grow us. But He is always present. Yet there are times, when He Himself directly enters the process and speaks to us, perhaps not like He spoke to Abraham that day, but certainly clearly enough so that if we were listening for His voice, we would hear it.

And what did God say when He spoke. “Abraham (and maybe Sarah), what’s too difficult for me?” Well, of course, God knows the answering is “Nothing.” But He wants to know what we think. He wants us to believe the answer. The Bible is silent on any direct answer that Abraham or Sarah gave God on His direct question. Was the answer too obvious? Were they too ashamed to state it? Did they not believe the answer? How much more insight would we have into the character of both Abraham and Sarah if we were provided a direct answer to that question. Yet, sometimes, in similar circumstances we behave the same way. We stay silent and do not give God the answer He wants to hear.

Instead of getting upset with our behavior and silence, God reaffirms. In this passage He indicates to Abraham (and to Sarah listening at the side of the tent) that He will return in exactly one year’s time and then, or by then, Sarah will have a son. That’s the loving God that we have.

Now you would think Sarah would have learned her lesson, got the message God was trying to give both of them, and have a change in heart that would result in praising God. Instead, she takes on behavior similar to Eve’s in the garden and denies what God told her she had done. “I did not laugh.” Wow. That takes a lot of guts. How do you deny something God has said you have done? Of course He knows. He would not be saying you did it, if you had not. And why would anyone deny something like that? Well, the Bible tells us she did because she was afraid.

Fear is an emotion that God built into our nature as human beings. In fact, I would venture to say that all of God’s creatures to my knowledge have the emotion of fear. It was intended as a means of helping us survive. Yet, it sometimes causes us to take inappropriate actions and make poor decisions, as it did here in Sarah’s case. It is interesting to note that God (capital He in our text) does not accept it as an excuse and He says, “No, but you did.”

Having lived over six decades at this point, I have come across at least three people that I can clearly say, “there’s no point in arguing” with them. I just cannot win and trying to is not worth it. Once in a while very early in any discussion, I may get a point across to each of them and there may be a momentary concession on their part. It’s very frustrating. I’ve also learned that when it comes to my own life, there is absolutely no purpose in arguing with God. But in the case of God, I would not have it any other way.

It would be great if you would share your thoughts or questions on this blog in the comments section below or on social media.

Genesis 18:11-12 Why Sarah Laughed

Genesis 18:11-12: Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; it had ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. And Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I have become old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?”

In the previous chapter, we learned that Abraham was ninety-nine years old. We may assume that his bride was younger, but not necessarily decades younger than himself, although at this point, we do not know. We also do not know the length of time between chapter 17 and this chapter. The Bible simply states that both Abraham and Sarah were “old, advanced in age” at this point in time. To be perfectly frank, Sarah was no longer menstruating and thus, under normal natural circumstances, she was not capable of having any children. In chapter 16 when she suggested that Abraham sleep with Hagar, Sarah knew God was somehow not blessing her with a child, although it may have been possible for her to become pregnant. But here we get the added knowledge that, for all intent and purposes, it would take a miracle for Sarah to conceive. Now imagine yourself in that situation. The one illustration that comes to mind is this: Imagine Prince Phillip (now eighty-seven years old) and Queen Elizabeth of England (now almost 75) had no children to succeed the Queen on the throne. And along come a few dignitaries from somewhere, get entertained at the palace, and after dinner, as it is the custom for men to hang around and enjoy a drink and swap stories while the women retire to the parlor to do likewise, the Queen in passing by the dining room overhears one of the guests informing Phillip that she will have a child this time next year.

Can you imagine the reaction? Having been in some old palaces in England, I can assure you that you would have been able to hear the Queen’s hysterical laughter throughout the royal abode. If you don’t believe the reaction would be thus try telling an elderly matron at a party that she will be pregnant next year and see what happens.

What I find interesting is that Sarah could have laughed out loud herself. But she did not. The scriptures say she “laughed to herself”. We do not know why, except that she did. She was still thinking straight, however, as she was able to logically talk herself out of any possible belief in the suggestion. She asked herself a logical question, but one to which she already thought she had the answer. “Is there any chance that Abraham who is old could possibly, physically, give me the natural pleasure of intercourse, at my age?” “No way!” she thought, “That would take a miracle.”

It would be great if you would share your thoughts or questions on this blog in the comments section below or on social media.

Genesis 18:9-10 Who Visited Abraham?

Genesis 18:9-10: Then they said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” And he said, “Behold, in the tent.” And he said, “I will surely return to you at this time next year; and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door, which was behind him.

Consider the situation. Visitors are at your place enjoying some well-prepared food. You’re standing by ready to serve them should they need anything. As they’re eating, it occurs to them that there may be something wrong with this picture. “Where in the world is your wife?” may be a very reasonable question. What may be less reasonable to expect is that these guests, believed to be perfect strangers to this point, know Abraham’s wife by name and call her thus. It is possible that these were not mere ordinary strangers. Now here is where the text gets a little complicated, at least for the layman.

To begin with Scripture indicates that the enquirers of that question were plural in number for it says, “they said to him (or asked him).” At face value of the text, we would think that all the visitors asked the question. Alternatively, it is possible that a spokesman was identified and that he asked on every guest’s part, thus “they asked”. The singular Abraham replies with the truth, “Why, she’s in the tent.” It is possible that Abraham’s tone was one of surprise in that most guests should know that the women of those days were in fact always waiting, on the sidelines, in the tent. And it is possible, given who these strangers might be, and where they are from even if just ordinary people, that they knew that as well, and that their question was only facilitative in nature, enabling them to get to the point of the news they wanted to share.

And here’s the tricky part, the text next says “And he (singular) said, ‘I will surely return to you….’” Is this the spokesman on behalf of everybody? Or is it someone else speaking on his own initiative? Clearly, the response is “I will surely return….” The question for us then is who exactly the “he” in this phrase refers to. Who can be so certain that he will surely return at the same time next year and that Sarah will have a son? Some would argue only God could say that. They are backed by the fact that it is God who has been having the discussion with Abraham about the promise prior to this visit, so this may very well be Him again.

To make matters more complex, in my New American Standard Bible (NASB) that I consider quite strong in direct word translation, the word “he” here is not capitalized. NASB capitalizes the pronoun He in both the Old and New Testaments when it refers to God. Yet, here it is not capitalized. Further the singular visitor replies that “he will return at the same time next year and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” As a layman, there is no clue in the Hebrew translation that can help us either. In fact, most commentators simply assume that one of the visitors was God and stay clear of the issue of number in the text. Clearly, the text does not tell us that for sure.

On the other hand, however, the news shared by this stranger is very much in keeping with what we believe only God knew at that point. The story continues to unfold with the text’s next revelation; simply that Sarah heard all this as she was listening at the tent door (and one assumes out of sight behind the tent canvas). Now imagine a very old woman who had been barren all her life hearing from some perfect stranger that she would have a son in a year’s time. As far as scripture shows us up to this point, we have no proof that Abraham had in fact shared God’s earlier promise to him with her. In Chapter 16, verse 1, all we have is that she clearly talks about her thinking God would not give her children. How she reacts to hearing this incredible, or rather, unbelievable news in the verses that follow, support the notion that she was hearing it for the first time. On the other hand, there would be many who would argue that there is no way even a man like Abraham could keep such a secret from his wife. And while we have no knowledge of God saying not to tell anyone, we also have no proof that Abraham had told Sarah.

It would be great if you would share your thoughts or questions on this blog in the comments section below or on social media.

Genesis 18:6-8 -- "Hospitality cont."

Genesis 18:6-8: So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah, and said, “Quickly, prepare three measures of fine flour, knead it, and make bread cakes.” Abraham also ran to the herd, and took a tender and choice calf, and gave it to the servant; and he hurried to prepare it. And he took curds and milk and the calf which he had prepared, and placed it before them; and he was standing by them under the tree as they ate.

We have no record of Abraham’s actual inner thoughts, reaction or feelings in response to the agreement of his guests to stay a while and take him up on his offer. We do know that sometimes people offer things just to be polite and secretly hope that the offer is not accepted. Coming from a European background, expected to be hospitable by society, I have often extended an invitation at the spur of the moment relying heavily on the great probability that the offer would not be accepted. I am usually right. My wife on the other hand will not play those games. She argues if you really do not want people to accept, do not offer. I suppose some people, like Chrysogon, are free of ‘desired appearances’ and some of us are still bound by them. As I get older, I do feel freer to follow my wife’s approach. I think, however, that God would have us be both hospitable and sincere. Nevertheless, in Abraham’s case, all we know is that he acted right away to please his guests and deliver the goods he promised in his offer. So, like a good, or perhaps, wise husband, Abraham hurried into the tent and engaged Sarah in helping him.
She would take care of the baking. Abraham himself selected the young calf that was to become the steaks for their guests. He gave up the opportunity to be recorded as the world’s first ‘backyard griller’ however when he asked his servant to prepare the meat. Once cooked, all the food was presented to the guests by the host himself and with great respect to them, he stood as they ate.

At one of SCA International’s (the Mission I have the privilege of serving), I remember my wife and I being hosted for dinner by two of our missionary families that originated from Fiji. The ladies, after working very hard to prepare an incredible meal, proceeded to stand by the table serving us, their families, and at least one other couple. It was not until we had finished eating, that they decided to have something themselves in the kitchen. I tried unsuccessfully to object. I was simply informed this was their custom and it had to be that way. At his advanced age, Abraham simply stood by as his guests ate.

Perhaps one lesson for us from these verses is to learn the importance of hospitality and serving others, including perfect strangers, and hopefully with true sincerity. If God brings them to us, He wants us to engage with them and to offer whatever we can in accordance with His blessing of us.

It would be great if you would share your thoughts or questions on this blog in the comments section below or on social media.

Genesis 18:4-5 -- Giving & Receiving Hospitality

Genesis 18:4-5: “Please let a little water be brought and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree; and I will bring a piece of bread, that you may refresh yourselves; after that you may go on, since you have visited your servant.” And they said, “So do, as you have said.”

There are several indications here that this is a very “physical” visit and that the visitors are plural in number. The Hebrew words referring to the visitors are translated as “yourselves” twice and as “they” once in the two-verse passage. Water for washing their feet was to be brought either by Abraham himself or his servants. No further reference is provided later in the chapter as to what actually happened. However, the direct translation implies that he himself was going to get some of the victuals for the visitors and later verses support this as being what actually happened although the servants were also involved, under his direction. What is interesting is that the visitors agreed.

Here we have not only the gift of hospitality so wonderfully displayed by Abraham, but also the complementary gift of gracious acceptance displayed by his visitors. God would have us at times be hospitable and at other times be accepting of hospitality. Some of us find it easier to be hospitable but struggle with accepting the hospitality of others, especially if it is not what we are used to. Others find it to easy to receive the hospitality of others, but very reluctant to offer it. I believe God wants us to exercise both well, according to what material means He has granted us. We are not to use our lack of means as an excuse for not extending hospitability, as He will provide; and we are not to use our over-abundance as a sub-conscious reason for avoiding the hospitality of those who have much less yet offer what they have with such humility. In short, it may be best that all of us, regardless of our standing in life, should be mindful of the fact that every good thing comes from God – the abundance He gives us is His, so is the scarcity!

One more thing to note: While Abraham acknowledges his guests and invites them to join him Sarah remains in the tent, silent. We have no knowledge as to how big Abraham’s tent really was and whether or not there were compartments in it, which is very possible. His invitation to the guests was made unilaterally even though his wife might have a significant role to play in fulfilling what Abraham offered. I grew up in a household where that was the norm. Mother was always ready to supply what father had offered. I married into a household where my wife was willing to do so, but would much rather have preferred advance warning or knowledge that I was going to offer something requiring her presence and involvement. Even as I write this, I am aware of those that will examine every single word to see where I may fall on this issue. I think a lot depends on the culture and the society in which one lives. I also believe that a husband and wife, living for God, should be in tune with and sensitive to each other that one does not make such unannounced expectations unnecessarily and that in the event they are made for good reasons, the other spouse will rise to the occasion. Hospitality is often ministry and husbands and wives should do much of their ministry together, having worked out necessary signals, arrangements, or understandings in advance, not only for the sake of their ministry, but also for the purpose of being blessed.

It would be great if you would share your thoughts or questions on this blog in the comments section below or on social media.

Genesis 18:2-3 "Who is in your tent's doorway today?"

Genesis 18:2-3: And when he lifted up his eyes and looked, behold, three men were standing opposite him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the earth, and said, “My lord, if now I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass your servant by.”

The beginning of this short passage when compared to the first verse of this chapter may well present some challenge to the student of scripture who prefers to take things literally. In verse one we read that “Now the Lord appeared to him….” When one analyzes this phrase, he/she is faced with several options of interpretation. What is the intent of the word “Now”? We need to note that the word “Lord” is singular in nature. Thirdly, does the word “appeared” imply a physical visual appearance or one that resides more in the eyes of the mind?

When we get to verse two, we need to decide if it occurred subsequent to verse one or is it simply an amplification of verse one. Taking the more literal approach based strictly on the words we have before us, leads us to believe that the Lord (singular) appeared to Abraham in the eyes of his mind in verse one. (The phrase “And when he lifted up his eyes and looked” found at the beginning of verse two further supports this.) And then in verse two, Abraham visually saw in a physical way “three men (were) standing opposite him”.

Up to this point in scripture, the word ‘man’, the singular of ‘men’, has been used strictly to refer to the man that God created – Adam, and those that came after him. And for our particular study of scripture as it unfolds to us, we have no basis on which to give these two words any other interpretation at this time as some may be led to do.

We are not told exactly how these three men got to stand opposite Abraham that day. Certainly the word ‘behold’ which has as one meaning the idea of looking or listening to something amazing or unexpected, adds to the possibility that God placed them there Himself. What we may surmise is that this was in the heat of the day as Abraham had been sitting at his tent’s door and actually ran from there to meet them. In fact, this along with his very running may help us understand his first comment to the men.

Certainly Abraham had, at least that day, an eagerness to serve and be hospitable. While it is likely in his nature to be thus, it is also possible that his action was as a result of seeing God or feeling that somehow the appearance of the men was related to what occurred in verse one. It may also have been as a result of visitors being a rare occurrence where Abraham’s tent had been set up, and especially at that time of day. Nevertheless, Abraham bowed to the men and uttered, “My Lord, if now I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass your servant by.”

The last part of his statement may simply have been a hospitable gesture imploring his guests to stay and be refreshed – probably a most common custom in those days and in that region. It simply refers to that fact that he did not want them to move on without stopping. The second part, that of “if now I have found favor in your sight” is a little more complex. Again, it may simply have the same kind of meaning that a restaurateur of today may have in mind when he says to those considering eating in his/her establishment after browsing the menu in the window, “if you like our décor and our menu, won’t you please come in and eat here?” On the other hand, it may again have been related to what had happened between the Lord and Abraham in verse one. We have no basis for making a determination either way from the words before us.

The part of his statement that is most puzzling is the first two words, “My lord”. In the particular version of the Bible that I use for studying, when the word ‘lord’ refers to the ‘Lord’ God Almighty it is capitalized and in this particular verse that word is not capitalized. The difficulty arises as to why it is singular in number. Why didn’t Abraham say “My lords” when he had three men before him? This may be the reason that some people today believe that these three men were in fact ‘not just men’ but God in some form. Such a position cannot be arrived at from scripture itself and, in fact, later in the chapter I believe there is more evidence that it was not. I am more likely to go with the interpretation that while we would today say “my lords”, it was perfectly acceptable to address all present with the singular form of that word – that is, collectively “you are my lord” and I am your servant.

Regardless of what general interpretation one makes of these two verses, it behooves us to be hospitable people eager to serve and meet the needs of those that God puts in our paths, or as in Abraham’s case, in the doorway of his tent.

It would be great if you would share your thoughts or questions on this blog in the comments section below or on social media.

Genesis 18:1 -- Just When You Least Expect Him

Genesis 18:1: Now the Lord appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, while he was sitting at the tent door in the heat of the day.

I love this verse. I love the way it is written. I love the details it provides and the picture it paints. The “heat of the day” depicts for me a sense of discomfort. “Sitting at the tent door” implies a resolve that not much can be done about life at this point in time – perhaps even a sense of reflection on days past. Perhaps there’s a yearning for the company of God, but clearly no expectation that He will show up. Just when Abraham least expects Him, God “appeared to him”. What a change in the scene and its mood. What a life-change moment – God reappeared to him. And He did so in a familiar place – the oaks or trees of Mamre that were part of the plain to which Abram had moved his tent to as we read in Genesis 13.

God has this amazing record of appearing to us when we least expect Him, when we have exhausted our resources, and we’re struggling under the ‘heat’ of life. As we reflect on the relationship we once had with Him, he appears to give us new life, new hope, a fresh start, or additional direction. But He comes when He needs to and He’s never late.

It would be great if you would share your thoughts or questions on this blog in the comments section below or on social media.

Genesis 17:24-27 "Household Responsibility"

Genesis 17:24-27: Now Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. In the very same day Abraham was circumcised, and Ishmael his son. And all the men of his household, who were born in the house or bought with money from a foreigner, were circumcised with him.

These few verses give us an example of total obedience and total commitment. There was no turning back in those days. The field of medicine had not yet mastered the surgery of circumcision reversal or foreskin restoration. There was no doubt that the males in Abraham’s household so operated on that day would remain circumcised the rest of their lives.

I remember my teenage son wanting to get a tattoo on his back. In addition to giving him my best arguments on why I believed that was inappropriate for him, I indicated that once acquired, it could not be easily removed. For all intents and purposes, he would be stuck with it. As a courtesy to me he waited until he was much older to get one. Needless to say that even if he did want to remove it now, the cost and pain involved in so doing would be great. The tattoo will likely remain in place. My son is committed to its presence. [By the way, as I got older and wiser, I learned to accept it and while it is no longer anything that comes between us, I would still have a tough time condoning it.] The male segment of Abraham’s household made a decision that day to carry the sign of the covenant between God and Abraham and between God and Abraham’s descendants, for ever.

From before the days of Abraham, through the beginning of the Christian era, and on to today, the person of faith has to make a decision to yield full obedience and commitment to the One he says he believes in. That is the ultimate goal and following that goal until one’s life ends, is what warrants the ultimate prize in eternity. Yet, a great majority of us have failed to either fully comprehend this or have decided to totally ignore it. Today, many Christians are what William Wilberforce in his book, Real Christianity, would call “social Christians”. They want the social benefits of membership, but they have no real clue as to what a genuine relationship with Christ really means and demands of them.

In the early years of her marriage, my eldest daughter and her family lived in Dallas, Texas. She described for my wife and I the events that she and her husband attended and said they were surprised to find out that just about everyone there was a “Christian”. Several years later after getting to know many of them more intimately, she admitted the following on the telephone one day: “Dad, everybody down here is a ‘christian’. Why, you can’t get a job in the Bible belt without being one!” Commitment to God requires much more than wearing a cross on a chain around one’s neck.

Finally, I believe this passage of scripture also talks to us that are heads of households – whether as fathers in a traditional family unit, or as a man or woman who is a single parent. God asked Abraham to carry out His wishes on his entire male household. I believe that had the request involved something equally applicable to both males and females, God would have expected him to carry it out on both sexes. Except for those under eight days old, age was not a discriminatory factor either. And if Abraham was ninety-nine years old, I am sure we can surmise that he had some long-time trusted servants that were close to his age.

The point I want to make is undoubtedly part and parcel of a very complex area and I know that I may step on many toes in trying to express my position. I do, however, believe that heads of households have always had, as a key priority, the responsibility of seeing to it that all members of their households observe and maintain a faith in God. I am not convinced that God has changed His mind on that. I believe the Enemy can take those of us that would not feel any guilt if a child denies the faith and make us feel guilty. Similarly, he would take those of us that feel some personal remorse or regret in such outcome and try to tell us that it “wasn’t your fault at all, after all your son/daughter is an adult and has to make his/her own decision.” The Enemy will play us whatever way he needs to.

Furthermore, I do not want to imply that it is us that make all the difference as to whether or not one of our children grows up to “keep the faith”. Clearly, that is a matter between the child and the Holy Spirit. Yet, I do not want us to believe that what we do, or do not do, does not matter at all. From my own personal life, I can tell you that I compromised my faith where I should not have when it came to the upbringing of my children, my relationships with them, and my general modeling of the Christian life. Thankfully, God still chose to intervene in their lives and they are walking with Him as married adults today. But what if He had not or what if I had compromised or failed them much more than I had, to the point that the Enemy capitalized on their feelings and they rejected the God of their father? Would I have had no responsibility for what I modeled? I believe I would have and I believe I still do. My point, especially to parents of young children, is simply this – you can and do make a difference in how your children react to the God you believe in. You cannot take the approach that if they are meant to be Christians, they will be, regardless of how you behave. Having said that, I also know that if, for whatever reason, the Holy Spirit has not yet called them unto Himself, regardless of your exemplary behavior, there is nothing you can do about it but trust His ultimate wisdom.

It would be great if you would share your thoughts or questions on this blog in the comments section below or on social media.

Genesis 17:23 -- The Psychology of Obedience

Genesis 17:23: Then Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all the servants who were born in his house and all who were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham’s household, and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the very same day, as God had said to him.

God says His bit, and then leaves us alone to act. The human will kicks in right at that point. In the verse before this we learned that when God had finished speaking to Abraham, He “went up from” him. Abraham now had a choice – do what God asked for in verses 9-14 of the same chapter and trust God for the rest, or once again rely on his own strength and wisdom. The decision was not an easy one for any man to make. It seems that where and when God chooses to interfere in our lives so directly, it never is. But for Abraham, a decision to obey would be difficult to carry out as well as have social implications. Oftentimes for us, the decision to obey is weighed more by its social implications rather than the physical request itself. I don’t know what was worse for Abraham -- the pain of circumcising adult males, never mind young children and babies in those days or the social cost of actually asking his household to be circumcised – all for a covenant that had been made directly to him and still with no evidence of its being delivered that could be seen by others.

Yet Scripture says that Abraham started with his son Ishmael first and then all his servants who born in the house or bought, and then every other male in his household, and circumcised them that very day. He decided to obey. Today’s social scientists would find this a fascinating study in risk-taking psychology. They would wonder what probability theory he used to decide to obey. Did the chances of God delivering His promise far outweigh His potential not to do so? Were the consequences of what Abraham was about to do in order to obey not seem as costly to him in the ‘event’ God did deliver? Was there any other explanation?

I think to best answer these questions one needs to go back to Abraham’s own personal experiences with God. I believe that while he still had his free will, he had no sane choice but to rely on his knowledge that God was indeed God, and that if he walked before Him, he would be blessed. Many psychologists today do not understand that. Perhaps it is best to say that they do not wish to accept it as a rational method for arriving at one’s decision.

[Some reader my wonder “what about Abraham, was he circumcised?” The answer comes in the verses that follow this.]

There are three interesting aspects to what Abraham did in this verse. First, there is an implication, although not conclusive, that he himself carried out God’s wishes in performing the circumcisions. At the very least, as head of the household, he saw to it that they were carried out. When God speaks to us and tells us to do something, He intends for us to either carry it out or by our means, see to it that it is accomplished. We cannot leave it to someone else, hoping God will speak to him or her as well. It’s His requirement of us and we can’t lose sight of that. [Today I took my two-year-old grandson, Elijah, for his second haircut with me – it’s our monthly ‘date’. On the way, when we were stopped at an intersection, an Asian woman in her late thirties approached our car and opened a folded sign that revealed her need for help. I had been taken before and was not about to be taken again. I shook my head indicating I would not help. Every argument for and against helping a young mother in distress who would beg on the streets of an affluent Toronto community came to mind. I won’t list them here. But the bottom line was that once again I felt this terrible empty feeling of not obeying. As I drove on I promised myself I had to deal with this issue of poverty for myself, once and for all. I decided that I have to find out not so much “what would Jesus do?” because I could never claim to have that wisdom or the audacity to think that I could predict exactly what He would do in any given case, but rather “what would Jesus have me do?” And I will as soon as I can. The point here is that failure to obey causes great emotional tension in our minds, especially if the obedience were for good or in response to God. On the other hand, obedience to evil has the same effect as disobedience for good or to God. Interestingly, this became evident to me last night as I was flicking through the channels on the television. I managed to see a few minutes of the movie Ella Enchanted. I don’t know the story at all, but I do know that Ella (I presume she was the main character I was observing) was enchanted by evil to obey it and her emotional tension was released when she at last felt free from having to do so.] Living a life of disobedience to good and God is a terrible way to live.

Secondly, Scripture says that Abraham did all this “the very same day.” Abraham did not obey in steps, a little at a time, just in case God would change His mind, or God would take mercy on him and say, “That’s enough, you’ve proven yourself.” No, Abraham carried out what God had required of him totally in that same day. He was serious in his obedience. And there was no turning back. [I often wonder how much flack he had to take from Sarah or to other women in his household who may have been married to some of the men he had to circumcise. Yet the Bible says he did what he had to do at all costs.]

Thirdly, the verse ends with a phrase that is possibly the most “personally emotional and mental peace-guaranteeing” phrase in the Bible. It is simply this, “[he did] as God had said to him.” Many years ago Billy Graham wrote a book that impacted millions, for eternity. It was called Peace With God. If I only had a few words to paraphrase that great work of a man of God, I would simply say, “Peace With God comes in actually doing as God says to us to do.” Understanding that simple principle can be as easy as pie for some, or as difficult as man trying to bring about total global harmony these days for others. I believe God has given us the ability to make it the former.

It would be great if you would share your thoughts or questions on this blog in the comments section below or on social media.

Genesis 17:22 (The Deafening Silence)

Genesis 17:22: And when He finished talking with him, God went up from Abraham.

There comes a time when God concludes His discussions with us. He says His piece and then leaves it to us to decide. Sometimes the silence is deafening. Other times we have to deal with the perception, false as it may be, that we are alone without Him. In reality, He has only “gone up from” us, as He did with Abraham. He leaves us “our space” to act with our will. He does not leave the scene, but is still watching from above. This reminds me so much of what a good parent does. I cannot count the endless times I missed the opportunity to share my thoughts with my children, and then step back (or up) to watch what happens and still be there if needed, ready to step in. I know my father did not do that with me either and maybe that is where I modeled my unwise behavior in this regard. But by His grace, and perhaps out of necessity, I’ve changed my approach and can enjoy watching my adult children learn and make their own decisions. God, on the other hand, has been consistent in His approach with us from day one. Never take His silence as a forfeiture of His love and desired relationship with you.

It would be great if you would share your thoughts or questions on this blog in the comments section below or on social media.

Genesis 17:21

Genesis 17:21: “But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this season next year.”

In this verse, God seems to be clearly establishing a hierarchy of reward (from man’s perspective) and interaction (from His own perspective). Ishmael will be blessed but Isaac will enjoy a covenant with God. One gets blessed, for the sake of his father in this case, the other gets the full goods.

Whatever the intent of Abraham’s request of God for Ishmael, this is how God chose to respond. Man has the right to request, but God has the right to choose how He responds and what will actually happen. Sometimes we forget His right to do that. Our joy comes in believing that no matter what we think is right and what we seem to yearn in our hearts, God’s choice and decision is ultimately, in the bigger picture, the far more superior election. The Christian who learns that lesson well and early, has much to gain.

And then God gets more specific with Abraham. He repeats that Sarah indeed will give him a son, but now He adds “at this season next year.” I am writing these thoughts in a Winnipeg, Manitoba hotel room. Tomorrow I am facilitating a seminar for pastors on various aspects of church leadership. It occurred to me that in the secular world, oftentimes leaders are expected to just hold on to the big picture, leaving the details to subordinates. We often speak positively of those leaders that are always thinking and working at 9,000 feet rather than the clerks or technicians who only see a small part of a process or project. How different this is from the way God, who is indeed the Master Leader in every respect, operates. Yes, He has the big picture in mind. But He knows all the details and where appropriate, He shares them with His people. He is a God of preciseness.

As we study God’s communication with Abraham on the promise of an heir, we may well ask ourselves, “What is God trying to tell me? How many times does He have to tell me? What details do I need to have or can I just trust Him to do what is ultimately the best for me?” This is a Leader I cannot live my life without!

It would be great if you would share your thoughts or questions on this blog in the comments section below or on social media.

Genesis 17:20

Genesis 17:20: “. . . And as for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I will bless him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation.”

God’s goodness continues. He heard Abraham’s plea for Ishmael and responds kindly. This is another one of those incredible pieces of scripture found throughout the Bible where God almighty shows His love and kindness towards His children. Ishmael will be blessed. He will have heirs and together they will multiply greatly. This was great news for Abraham and Ishmael. As I read this account, however, I notice something else of even greater interest to me. God said to Abraham, “I have heard you.” No matter how old Abraham was, no matter what he did in disobedience to God, no matter how he laughed at and doubted what God had just told him, the Creator stops to tell him that He has heard him and He’ll act positively on His request. God has not changed. He still does this today with each of us, but as He sees fit as we’ll discover later in verse 21.

[Allow me to digress for a few moments of your reading. You should be aware that at this point in my study I discovered something most interesting. When I checked the commentaries on this entire section, I discovered that the authors are generally of two minds. Some have taken a position similar to mine – Abraham laughed at what God was saying and doubted it. He also was pleading that Ishmael could be seen as the one through whom the Covenant would come about and thus his request of God in verse 18 of Genesis chapter 17. Others equally respected commentators have taken a different view on several points. First, that Abraham’s laughter was one of joy. He laughed at the fact that the God in whom He believed could overcome the physical limitations of both man and nature and in fact give an old man and his wife, a baby child. Secondly, that his plea to God was not that God would somehow forget about the promise of another heir and bless him through Ishmael, but rather that Ishmael also not be forgotten in God’s plan and economy. Thirdly, we note that while some commentators agree with the tendency to believe Isaac’s name was chosen as a constant reminder to Abraham about his doubt, others add the fact that the name, which meant laughter, was also given as a prophetic sign of the fact that Isaac would bring great joy to his parents. Personally, I favor the interpretations I have suggested above for several reasons. The language is clear. There is no reference to Abraham being elated with the news. There is a possibility that those who support that view may be drawing on the phrase “and said in his heart” as found in verse 17. This would be similar to the idea we read about in the New Testament after the angel had told Mary that she was to bear the Messiah and scripture indicates that “she kept these things in her heart.” The evidence is not strong. Furthermore, if that were the case here, the beginning of verse 19 would not include the words, “But God said” and “No, but Sarah your wife will bear you a son.”

Yet we have these two very different views. We must realize that Scripture is there for all of us to read, study, and reflect on. Sometimes there is no question as to what is being communicated in which all of us will come to a similar viewpoint. Other times, our interpretations may differ. More often still our ‘assumptions’ about what was really meant, or what gave rise to the statement (that is, the assigning of motive) around words we read in Scripture, is indeed human interpretation, be it yours, mine, or a famous commentator’s. One may argue that he/she supports interpretation A over B because he/she knows that commentator A was a learned scholar. Another person may argue for B because they believe commentator B is really filled with the Holy Spirit and a real man/woman of God. We should remember that scholarship does not trump God-inspired interpretation. At the same time, we must also remember that we have no inside track as to who is being definitely inspired by God or truly filled with His Spirit. That then leaves us two options. First to be aware of the various interpretations available for any given passage, from reasonably faith-based sources, and ensuring that such do not contradict other aspects of Scripture on which all agree. Secondly, to search the Scriptures ourselves, in prayer, and to analyze them in search of what God may be saying directly to us about them. It is critical for you, the reader, to keep this in mind as we continue our study together.]

Ishmael, we are told, will become the father of twelve princes and a great nation. Ishmael’s favor will be bestowed on him because of Abraham’s sake. God was saying to Abraham, “I heard you, therefore, your son Ishmael will be blessed.” God used the word “exceedingly” in reference to Ishmael being multiplied in generations to come. At face value the word implies that whatever is being discussed will indeed “exceed” something else. It is possible that God meant Ishmael’s nation would far exceed in number, one day, those of his neighbors, the nation of Israel and perhaps others.

There is no indication as to whether or not the blessing for Ishmael went beyond the promise of very fruitful multiplication and the political spheres of princes and nationhood. For example, there is no mention of any spiritual blessings, although we do know today that faith in Christ has indeed touched the hearts and lives of many of Ishmael’s descendents. Suffice it to say, that Ishmael who was born in sin, and his offspring after him, would indeed have blessings bestowed on them because of Abraham’s faith in
God. We see examples of the same thing today – children that are blessed materially or with great talent, not because of their walk with God, but because of their parents’ relationship with the Almighty. One wonders whether that blessing is perhaps allowed for the sake of the parents’ own joy.

It would be great if you would share your thoughts or questions on this blog in the comments section below or on social media.

Genesis 17:19

Genesis 17:19: But God said, “No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. . .”

In verses 17-18 of this chapter, we see Abraham having an opportunity to react to God’s words. He used it to laugh at what God was saying, to question the possibility of His statement, and even to attempt to have God view the offspring of his sin differently. God still speaks to each of us that know Him today. We all have an opportunity to react and respond to what He tells us. We would do well to examine whether or not we are guilty of the same type of reactions as Abraham exhibited in this passage. If so, we need to seek His forgiveness and commence a life of complete assurance in Whom we have believed.

Verse 19 starts with my favorite pair of words in the entire Bible, “But God.” No matter what we think or say or do, along come these two words, “But God.” And their impact becomes even greater when the third word is added, “But God said.” Watch out, for here comes the “final word” on the subject. We need to listen for and be sensitive to the “But God said” times in our life.

For starters in this case, God said, “No, Abraham, you have it all wrong.” So He repeats and clarifies the situation for Abraham. “Sarah, your own wife Abraham, will indeed bear you a son,” God seems to be telling him. God knows that some of us simply need to have His message to us repeated over and over again. And not only that, but when God speaks on the same topic on successive occasions, He often provides additional information. In this case He tells Abraham that he will call his son Isaac. Lexicographers tell us that the Hebrew meaning of the name Isaac is “one who laughs, mocks, sports, or toys with”. God was telling Abraham that Isaac will be a continual reminder to him that he first laughed at what God had promised him. As such, God wanted Abraham to always remember who God was and that he could count on His promises and word. What has God put in your life in order for you to daily remember who He is and what He has done and will do for you? Sometimes those things are there to keep us humble before God. Sometimes they are such as to encourage us before God. Whatever God has put in your life for this purpose, identify it, and treasure it as a gift from Him, even if it seems like it hurts, as I’m sure Abraham was not thrilled about having his son called, “he laughs”.

Then God goes on to say, “though because of your reaction Abraham, his name will be ‘he laughs’, I will still establish my covenant with him as well. He’s in this deal with you, and his descendants after him.” Wow, God’s goodness just keeps on coming for Abraham. This is the genealogy that God will bless. The promise will go from Abraham, to Isaac, to his descendants. What a God.

After how Abraham had reacted to God earlier, God could have been angry or He could have withdrawn from him. Instead, we see a patient God who loves Abraham so much that He takes the time to repeat and clarify His will for Abraham’s life. And in that, He includes Abraham’s son and grandchildren and their descendants after that. God has a special promise for each of us and for those that come after us. May we be as careful not to laugh at or question what He tells us.

It would be great if you would share your thoughts or questions on this blog in the comments section below or on social media.

Genesis 17:17-18

Genesis 17:17-18: Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, “Will a child be born to a man one hundred years old? And will Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” And Abraham said to God, “Oh that Ishmael might live before Thee!”

Can you believe it? Abraham had just lived twenty-four years experiencing the hand of God since God spoke to him, in Genesis 12, and told him to go to the land which God would show him and that He would make him a great nation and bless him. God took care of Him during a famine. He saw God at work in Egypt when Pharaoh thought Sarai was his sister due to a lie he and she contrived. God had made Abram rich in livestock, silver, and gold. He saw God work out the disputes between Lot and himself. When Lot was taken captive by the enemy, he saw God use him to rescue his nephew and at the same time receive great honor and blessings from others. God saw him through the difficulties between Sarai and Hagar. And earlier in this chapter God reestablishes His covenant with Abram and gives him a new name. Yet, Abraham falls flat on his face, not in worship, but in laughter.

And rather than speaking back to the Lord, scripture says he said what he did “in his heart”. Did he, or do we for that matter, think that God has no access to what we think or determine to do, believe, or feel, in our hearts? If so, he, and we, are both mistaken. Abraham’s uttering to himself, “Will a child be born to a hundred year old man? And can a ninety year old woman even bear one?” may, at face value, appear like two simple questions. But for the believer in the Almighty God as Abraham was, they amount to sheer unbelief in God’s ability to deliver what He promises. His questions remind us of the serpent’s mutterings to Eve when he said, in Genesis 3 “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” And then later, “You surely shall not die!”

Once again, here is man considering God’s words in his own limited humanity. And perhaps we can identify with him, because after all, from a human perspective, he is right. One hundred year old couples do not have children, even in those days. We approach much of life in this way when it comes to spiritual matters or to the mysteries of God. Our beliefs are often limited to our experiences and to what we know to be true. Yet what God calls on us to do is to first deal with our belief in Him. Once we do that, then all else that He says must be relied upon. William Wilberforce in his book Real Christianity goes to great lengths to explain that basic requirement of the real Christian to take God at His word, or else doubt his own faith in such an Entity. Why would anyone want a God that he or she cannot trust?

With those thoughts of doubt in his mind, armed, albeit inappropriately, with what he considered to be the obvious answers to his private questions, Abraham then somehow musters up the ability to say to God, “Oh that Ishmael might live before You!” Now what exactly does that mean? I believe it can mean one of two things. First, considering how Abraham reacted to God’s statement about another child of his coming from Sarah, we could believe that this statement is his plea to God to set aside His intention and simply let Hagar’s son Ishmael be the very heir through which the covenant will come. That is, he is imploring God to find favor with Ishmael over any other potential heir that Abraham does not believe is even naturally possible. Alternatively, although I believe less probable given the flow of the content, Abraham may have accepted the fact that God will provide another heir and he is simply asking God not to forget Ishmael and to somehow bless him as well. Like a true father, Abraham still loves the son he had outside of God’s intention for his life.

At this point God had every right to become angry with Abraham and even to withdraw His promise to him. But does He? In the next passage, we find out.

It would be great if you would share your thoughts or questions on this blog in the comments section below or on social media.

Genesis 17:15-16

Genesis 17:15-16: Then God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. And I will bless her, and indeed I will give you a son by her. Then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall come from her.”

When God makes a promise to the head of the household, He does not forget about that man’s family. Sarai, Abraham’s wife, was included in the covenant and indeed a very integral part of it. But first, as Abraham had to leave his old name of Abram behind, Sarai too would get a new name. And Abraham was charged to call her Sarah, the name given to Him for her by God.

We do not know much about these names, especially the former. The dictionaries that have attempted to define them seem to agree that Sarai can be translated as “princess” while Sarah means “noblewoman”. Perhaps those are fitting translations for Abraham’s wife, as they may be for any female. In my family, my fiancée was indeed my princess – I did all I could for her (and she for her prince). As my new bride, she continued to enjoy that extra or focused attention and special care that all brides deserve throughout their entire married life. But in reality, with the purchase of a home, the arrival of children, the aging of our parents, and any extra responsibilities that one’s career may through our way, rare is the spouse that can maintain such constant and more importantly, readily evident, adoration for their partner. My ‘princess’ indeed became a ‘noblewoman’ making way for two new ‘princesses’ in our family as God blessed us with two beautiful daughters first and then later our ‘prince’. What the writers of songs in the sixties called “young love” turned into deep devotion, true affection, and a strong appreciation of one partner’s unrelenting commitment to the other and to the family as a whole.

The latter part of this passage may however have more to say about the meaning of Sarah then the dictionaries may suggest. God goes on to say He will bless Sarah and give to Abraham a son by her. Those words ‘by her’ are interesting and possibly a reference to Abraham agreeing to Sarai’s efforts to procure him a son by way of Hagar. It seems as if God is saying to Abraham, “don’t make a mistake again, your son will come by her, not any other woman.” God forgives our mistakes, but keeps reminding us that the right way to pursue things in our lives is by His methods, not ours.

Then God says again, “Then I will bless her.” It is not clear to the layman whether this is intended to imply the beginning of Sarah’s blessing, or just a continuance of it as in the very prior sentence God has already indicated He will bless her with a son. Perhaps the first reference is to the blessing that results in a pregnancy – the honor of a woman to take a child. In the latter sentence, the blessing may be one for Sarah herself. With this blessing God says, “ . . . she shall be a mother of nations.” And furthermore, that “kings of people” – that is, those that rule these nations, will come from her. What an honor. What a blessing indeed.

It is this blessing that I believe is somehow connected to the real meaning of Sarah, just as Abraham meant father of many nations, so to Sarah was intended to imply mother of many nations. Father Abraham would ultimately have the joy of seeing God’s promise to him come about through his very own and beloved wife, Mother Sarah. What a privilege it is for those that are in the Lord’s service and are married, to be able to share somehow in that ministry together. That is what God gave Abraham and Sarah. That is what He had intended for Adam and Eve from the start. That is what He intends for you and me that are married today.

It would be great if you would share your thoughts or questions on this blog in the comments section below or on social media.

Genesis 17:9-14

Genesis 17:9-14: God said further to Abraham, “Now 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 among you shall be circumcised. And you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and you. And every male among you who is eight days old shall be circumcised throughout your generations, a servant who is born in the house or who is bought with money from any foreigner, who is not of your descendants. A servant who is born in your house or who is bought with your money shall surely be circumcised; thus shall My covenant be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. But an uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.”

It is after He has reassured Abraham of His covenant with him that God goes on to show Abraham what his part will be. Interestingly, God does not ask Abraham to undertake any action that will directly help bring about the promised outcome of the covenant. Abraham’s role and the role of all those that come after him is one of simply continued
faith and belief in the covenant’s promise. And that faith and belief is to be evidenced by each male being circumcised. God Himself says that will be “the sign” of the covenant. The same is true for believers today. God delivers His promises – our part is first and foremost simply to have faith demonstrated in various ways that are pleasing to God and then to follow His instructions and guidance in our lives. But our part is nothing that will directly bring about our salvation.

And God does go on to give us instructions. In Abraham’s case, He instructed Abraham that the circumcision ceremony would take place on the eighth day of life for newborns. And furthermore, God instructs that not only Abraham’s descendants are to have this operation performed on them, but also any servant that is born in their homes or any adult servant who has been bought by Abraham or his descendants. Circumcision then became that part of the sign of the covenant that is man’s responsibility in this case. There are promises or covenants that God has made with all His children and we are required to uphold the corresponding requirements that God outlines in conjunction with each. For example, later in Scripture we will hear God saying, “If My people…do so and so…then I will…do this.”

In addition, God, in speaking to you or me through other parts of Scripture, through other Christians from whom we seek help, or through our conversations with Him in prayer, may communicate a promise unique to us and along with it the role that we need to play in its fruition. God grant each of us the wisdom to fulfill our part with faith and patience. Abraham’s descendants had to do it with a sign in their flesh – a sign that because of its nature was private, rather than public. Our covenants are between God and us. What the world sees is the outcome of the covenant – living life as a child of His.

In this section of scripture God also warns Abraham about any male who will not be circumcised. That male will be cut off from the family because he would have broken God’s covenant. What God offers is clearly a covenant for all of Abraham’s descendants. Therein lies the evidence of His universal love (to Abraham’s seed in this case, without exception). On the receiving end, however, individually man may choose to reject the covenant by not fulfilling his own part. Therein lies evidence of God’s justice. The same is true of salvation today.

It would be great if you would share your thoughts or questions on this blog in the comments section below or on social media.

Genesis 17:3-8

Genesis 17:3-8: And Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying, “As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, And you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, But your name shall be Abraham; For I will make you the father of a multitude of nations. And I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come forth from you. And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants after you. And I will give to you and to your descendants after you, the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.”

Abram surely had not forgotten how he tried to take matters into his hands, not trusting God to deliver on His promise for an heir. That God would still talk with him in the way He did was beyond anything that he would have expected. Sometimes we are like that. I know from personal experience, that when I do what I should not, I don’t expect God to be as forgiving as He always is. I feel I’ve blown my relationship with Him forever if not for a long time. Yet, I forget that while I may disappoint God, as His child, He still has a covenant with me. He still is my Father and I am His son. So Abram falls on his face before God in total worship, respect, and submission. And His loving Father continues to talk with him and to assure him again of His love and His plans for his life.

God basically tells him, “Listen, I made a deal with you, and I intend to keep it. No matter what you’ve done. I believe this agreement can still be accomplished. It’s not too late.” Abram may have given up on himself and perhaps God, but God never gave up on Himself or Abram. Like the ultimate loving Father that He is, God never gives up on His children. No matter what you or I have done. If we’re willing to be led by Him, there is still hope for a future that you could never have dreamed of.

God tells Abram “you will be the father of many nations.” There’s no doubt about it – “you will be.” It was a certainty. Because God exists, then anything He says will happen can in fact be counted on. It’s as simple as that. Our fallen humanity and our lack of faith get in our way of readily accepting that kind of thinking. All of God’s promises to His children will be, or have been, fulfilled. In His way and manner. That is a reality, but we need also to make it a state of mind and way of life.

Now God does a most interesting thing next. He modifies Abram’s name. Abram, which meant exalted father, was already a pretty good name. So why vary it? I think it is important to note that God did not totally change Abram’s name, although He could have and in fact, in the New Testament we read of Christ changing the name of one of His disciples. God does not always want us to forget our past and the various stages He has brought us through. Here, God just wants to expand Abram’s name to include His covenant with him – that is, to give him a name that also means “father of many nations”.

It is as if God was saying, “Abram, you had a little trouble remembering my covenant with you. So let me arrange that this will not happen again. Every time you hear someone calling you, you’ll remember my promise, and it will come to pass.” And you know that name He gave Abram that day also serves to remind us of God’s covenant with him, ensuring that our views do not go counter to that promise even today. What an amazing God. He so much wants us to succeed and to be happy. What has God had to do in your life to help you remember His promises? For me, it was something as simple as having two young girls and a little boy start calling me ‘dad’. God had kept His promises of giving my wife and I children and now He wanted me to keep mine of being a loving dad just like Him.

Then God goes on to describe in greater detail what the impact of that revised name will be. Abraham would become the father or originator of many nations and be extremely fruitful with respect to generations of people coming after him. God promises his people will be established into nations. It is of interest here to note that God promised more than one nation being established from Abraham’s seed, but He did not promise kingdoms. God would be their king. This idea is further supported when one studies the next phrase, “and kings shall come forth from you”. Interestingly, it does not say “and I will allow kings to come forth from you” but rather just that they will. The significance of that distinction becomes clearer as the Old Testament unfolds.

The Lord then reiterates that He will establish His covenant not only with Abraham but also with Abraham’s descendents. There will be no expiration date – it’s an everlasting covenant. And here’s the first bonus – the covenant includes the fact that He will be God to Abraham and his descendants forever. Not only will Abraham be the father of many nations, but God will also be his God and the God of his children forever. There is nothing that Abraham’s people can do that will change that. They may disappoint God but He will be their God forever. We need to remember that as we deal with Israel today.

And then comes bonus number two – God will give to Abraham and his descendents all the lands on which they journey including all of Canaan. And he’ll give it to them as “an everlasting possession” – that’s forever. The land is not something they will trade or lose in a war. As I pen these words on April 2, 2008, I am struck by the fact that in this verse written thousands of years ago we have the very basis of what this world’s greatest strife is all about today – the ongoing situation between Israel and Palestine, a situation that has somehow managed to engage the entire world on one side or another. God will not have His covenant broken by anyone – be it Jew, Palestinian, American, or any other world power that may attempt to resolve this issue in a way contrary to this verse.

The God of Abraham many thousands of years ago is the same God of Abraham’s descendents today. May we be encouraged by that fact.

It would be great if you would share your thoughts or questions on this blog in the comments section below or on social media.

Genesis 17:1-2

Genesis 17:1-2: Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; Walk before Me, and be blameless. And I will establish My covenant between Me and you, And I will multiply you exceedingly.”

We have another opportunity here to look at the timeline that we started at the very beginning of this study. We last left it as follows:

• 3171 Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran (Gen. 11:26)
• 3219 Peleg died (Gen. 11:19)
• 3220 Nahor died (Gen. 11:25)
• 3272 Serug died (Gen. 11:23)
• 3306 Terah died at age 205 (Gen. 11:32)

We can continue this further by inserting some more dates based on later chapters:

• 3246 Abram departs from Haran with Lot at age 75 (Gen. 12:4)
• 3257 Abraham was 86 when Hagar bore Ishmael to him (Gen. 16:16)
• 3270 Abraham was 99 when God appears to him (Gen. 17:1)

We’ll continue to watch this timeline develop as we study the Word further – but somehow I’m having difficulty thinking we will arrive at the billions of years scientists figured we (or at least dinosaurs) have been around.



This chapter begins with two verses that are packed with lessons. For starters, Abram was ninety-nine years old. Chances are that no one that old will ever read this commentary. In fact, Abram was 39 years older than I am as I write this. Just when I feel that I have missed life’s great opportunity to serve God in some meaningful way, along comes this verse in God’s perfect timing, to tell me it is never too late. God still appears to old men and women and His message is the same.

What God said to Abram that day in history is not really that different than what He says to you and me today. It’s critical stuff, yet it is very simple stuff. In fact, this utterance of the Almighty encompasses God’s plan for everyone that would follow it. First, He is God Almighty. No need to debate it. Either one accepts it or one doesn’t. Second, we need to walk before Him. We need to walk in His presence recognizing who He is and being under His leadership as God Almighty. Third, we are to be blameless. We are to live holy lives in His presence. And at the same time, we are to recognize that only He can make us blameless before His righteousness. [Perhaps this is a direct inference to what the Gospel is all about.]

Now here comes a most interesting part. God wants to actually implement His covenant or promises to us. Well, what’s been holding Him up? If language means anything, then I have to believe that the fulfilling of God’s promises is a function of two things. The first is something that is not referred to in this verse and that is the overall impact of “God’s divine timing”. Things will happen in His appointed time for them to happen. But the second condition impacting the delivery of God’s promises to some extent is hidden in the word that commences the last sentence of verse two – namely, “And”. This word ties in a sequential manner, what God expects of us and what He will do for us. I believe that while God will do His part, we need to do ours – recognize Him as God Almighty and live accordingly including walking before Him and being as upright as humanly possible.

And still with those two conditions in place, God will see to it that His promises are delivered, that His blessings will be poured out on us, regardless of how we react. In Abram’s case, the blessing was that his descendants would be multiplied exceedingly, numbered like the sands of the earth.

There are two inherent dangers in this kind of thinking, however. The first is that one starts to believe, “what’s the use of being good, when we’re going to get blessed anyway?” That is a fallacy. God clearly has a blessing for us, but it may not be the ultimate blessing we could have received had we done our part. The second inherent danger is that we desperately try to figure out God’s thinking and rationale of how and why He does what He does in this whole thing of “promise-lifestyle-blessing” process. Forget it. We are not God. We do not think like God, we do not see like God, we have no idea of what lies ahead like God, and besides, God has the total right to act, as He, God Almighty alone, wants to act.

Where do you and I stand today in this simple summary of purpose and life that God gave to Abram? Do we see Him as God Almighty? Do we walk before Him? Are we blameless to the extent we humanly can be? If so, God will keep His promises to us and we will be blessed with the blessing He has for us.

It would be great if you would share your thoughts or questions on this blog in the comments section below or on social media.