05.022. Chapter 17
God’s words to Abram in Genesis 17:1 may have been a veiled way of saying that he should stop trying to work things out in his own strength and let God work for him. Immediately afterward God renewed His covenant and changed the patriarch’s name from Abram (“exalted father”) to Abraham (“father of a multitude”) (Genesis 17:2-8). Circumcision was then instituted as a sign of the covenant. This surgical operation, performed on the male child, was a physical mark that the person belonged to God’s chosen earthly people. Although it was already practiced in the Middle East at this time, it took on new meaning for Abraham and his family. Every male in Abraham’s house was circumcised, and thereafter every male baby was to be circumcised when he was eight days old or else be cut off from his people—that is, put away from the congregation of Israel (Genesis 17:9-14). The expression “cut off” sometimes means to put to death, as in Exodus 31:14-15. In other places, as here, it seems to mean to ban or ostracize. The Apostle Paul is careful to point out that Abraham was justified (Genesis 15:8) before he was circumcised. His circumcision was “a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had” (Romans 4:11). Believers today are not sealed with a physical mark; they receive the Holy Spirit as a seal at the time of their conversion (Ephesians 4:30).
God changed Sarai’s name to Sarah (“princess”) and promised Abraham that his 90-year-old wife would have a son (Genesis 17:15-16). The patriarch laughed, but in joyful wonder, not in unbelief (Genesis 17:17). His faith did not waver (Romans 4:18-21). When Abraham pled that Ishmael might have favor before God, he was told that the covenant would be fulfilled through his son, Isaac. However, Ishmael would be fruitful, would multiply, and would become a great nation (Genesis 17:18-22). Isaac was a symbol of Christ, through whom the covenant receives its ultimate fulfillment.
Notice the promptness of Abraham’s obedience—“In the same day” (Genesis 17:26).