Connecting Scriptures:  Genesis 6:9, Job 1:1, Psalm 119:1, Romans 4:1-19, Hebrews 11:16, Luke 2:21, 1 Corinthians 7:19, Colossians 2:1-15

Do you think that the concept of waiting is an effect of the fall?  Or, could it just be a wrestling of certain personalities?  I’d like to think I am a pretty laid back person, letting the tides of life push and pull.  Wanting people to have the space they need to grow and figure things out.  But all it takes is having to check my email one thousands times waiting on a response that I need, or sitting in the pull up spot at the fast food window, having to think, “THIS is fast food?”—that’s when I realize that I am more tightly wound than I’d like to admit.  Chapter 17 requires some calculations, so let’s do the math, shall we?  Abram was 75 years old when God showed him grace upon grace, and called him by name to be a promise bearer.  He was 86 when he agreed to Sarai’s plan to push God’s plan into action, resulting in Ismael being born to him.  For 13 years, I am sure they thought that this was it, this was the promise in real life. 

Then when Abram was the ripe age of 99, God comes to him again.  He announces Himself as, “I am God Almighty”, or El Shaddai.  This name means exactly what it is, most powerful one.  As in there is nothing outside of His ability to do or accomplish.  There is also none who can derail His sovereign will.  His greeting is direct, “…walk before me, and be blameless, that I may make my covenant between me and you…”.  It sounds to me like a calling back.  As if God is reminding Abram of who he really is.  He is one who has been made set apart in his heart, and that is what God has established the covenant on.  Like turning to a fresh new page for writing, God changes names.  Abram to Abraham, from exhaled father to “father of a multitude”.  The name reflected God’s covenant to him.  In this reaffirming moment, God requires a new level of covenant commitment on Abraham’s part—circumcision.  All men, upon birth or having entered into Abraham’s family would have a mark that would be a sign to God, cut into their bodies.  It would be an intimate reminder of whose people they belonged to.  This covenant is still unilateral in its giving of promises and blessings, it’s just now Abraham literally has flesh in the game (sorry, bad pun).

The page turns for Sarai as well.  In todays covenant renewal she is also included in the plan to make a people for God’s own possession.  He changes her name as well, to Sarah, which means “princess”.  This is where it clicks for Abraham.  Wait—Ismael wasn’t the promised child?  Then what did we do?  God makes it very clear that the child to carry on the legacy of Abraham would come from Sarah (who was past the way of women).  Abraham laughs here in astonishment, not doubt.  You can see the care and love that Abraham has for Ismael when he pleads for him.  God assures that He will take care of the boy, and that He has plans to make him a great nation—but the covenant will pass to Isaac, the “son of laughter”.  

In true Abrahamic fashion, he gets to work obeying the commands of God.  Every male, including himself, was circumcised that very day.  Why?  Because he believed God.  While there are bumps in Abrahams road, we can see that he is quick to walk with God down it anyway.  The aim is blamelessness, the aim is getting back on track and the steady beat of keeping pace with God Almighty.

Questions for Reflection:

1.  What is the significants of all the name changing in this chapter?

2.  Why circumcision?  What is its importance when considering the connecting scriptures concerning it above. 

3.  Have you ever been so floored with news that all you could do was laugh?  What did it tell about your heart and feelings?