Genesis 17:1-8 Abram becomes Abraham establishing a covenant

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.

2 “I will establish My covenant between Me and you,

And I will multiply you exceedingly.”

3 Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying,

4 “As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you,

And you will be the father of a multitude of nations.

5 “No longer shall your name be called Abram,

But your name shall be Abraham;

For I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.

6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you, and kings will come forth from you. 7 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. 8 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.”

 

Oh my goodness, how overwhelming this conversation must have been for Abram!  I know that when I pray and God starts to answer me, when I am sure it is His voice, I am instantly and overwhelmingly humbled.  No wonder Abram fell on his face!

 

Now, there's so much to this! 

 

First, God calls Abram to be blameless.  He says it outright.  Walk before me and be blameless.

 

Abram is wise not to talk but to listen.  Somehow I don't think interrupting God is a good idea!

 

God doesn't make promises like we do, His are everlasting.  It says so.  throughout generations!

 

Here is  where Abram becomes Abraham, at God's request and with the promise that God would make Abraham the father of a multitude of nations, not just one.  Interesting.  Not just Israel, a multitude of nations.  Never saw that before.

 

But before all of this promise comes the request for Abram to walk blamelessly.  There isn't even a law written yet, not rules, just walk blameless.  Hmm. 

 

God's not done yet, there is more coming.  This is an important beginning.

 

 

Lord, help us to humble ourselves to hear You.  Help us to walk blameless as much as we possibly can.  Help us to be willing for You to change who we are down to even our names.  Help us to be willing to be used by You and changed by You so we can help other to see You.

 

In Jesus Name

Amen

 

 

just a note:  I realize that we are bought and paid for by Jesus who covers our sin.  I am just soaking up the lessons of the Old Testament including when God expected men to walk upright.