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. 24 Now Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. 25 And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. 26 In the very same day Abraham was circumcised, and Ishmael his son. 27 All the men of his household, who were born in the house or bought with money from a foreigner, were circumcised with him.
After God has explained how He plans to bless Abraham and Sarah, and He tells Abraham of his plan for Isaac, and God has told Abraham what is required of him and his servants and his household - Abraham and his household do what God asked them to do.
We have already discussed the amount of obedience that would be required for a grown man to uphold his part of this covenant.
I think the importance of this whole set of verses is the obedience of Abraham to do what God asked of him. And, it was instant obedience. They didn't think about it for a few days, discuss it. They just obeyed, that day.
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Friday, October 10, 2014
Genesis 17:15-22 God's promise of Isaac
Then God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. 16 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 peoples will come from her.” 17 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?” 18 And Abraham said to God, “Oh that Ishmael might live before You!” 19 But God said, “No, but Sarah your wife will 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. 20 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. 21 But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this season next year.” 22 When He finished talking with him, God went up from Abraham.
This has conveniently corresponded to my grandson's homeschool lesson. How difficult to teach the precepts of God to a 6 year old. But, I find that being taught as a young child, I still remember the story in young child terms. Reading again for myself as an adult helps me learn more of the character of God. And, that is the point of this exercise. Understanding this God whom I serve as fully as possible without someone trying to pull me to one camp or another.
Observe: God changes Sarai's name to Sarah
He promises to bless her and give Abraham a son through Sarah
He tells them that Kings will come through her
Abraham laughs at the thought of being a parent at such an old age
Abraham tries to apply people-logic. God must have meant through Ishmael
God corrects Abraham and makes it clear
God hears Abraham's desire for Ishmael to be blessed and answers his concern
God re-states that His covenant will be with Isaac
God is specific about when Sarah will deliver
I love that God is again clear in what He is saying to Abraham. I love that God shows his concern toward Abraham in dealing with Ishmael. I love that He is still firm about what His plan is.
Lord, help us to hear Your instruction, Your guidance, Your words to us. Thank You for rising up mighty men of God to teach us more about You. Thank You for Your word and for giving us what we need to have to learn about You.
Help us to be forever changed by You, walking according to Your Spirit, doing Your will.
In Jesus Name - amen
This has conveniently corresponded to my grandson's homeschool lesson. How difficult to teach the precepts of God to a 6 year old. But, I find that being taught as a young child, I still remember the story in young child terms. Reading again for myself as an adult helps me learn more of the character of God. And, that is the point of this exercise. Understanding this God whom I serve as fully as possible without someone trying to pull me to one camp or another.
Observe: God changes Sarai's name to Sarah
He promises to bless her and give Abraham a son through Sarah
He tells them that Kings will come through her
Abraham laughs at the thought of being a parent at such an old age
Abraham tries to apply people-logic. God must have meant through Ishmael
God corrects Abraham and makes it clear
God hears Abraham's desire for Ishmael to be blessed and answers his concern
God re-states that His covenant will be with Isaac
God is specific about when Sarah will deliver
I love that God is again clear in what He is saying to Abraham. I love that God shows his concern toward Abraham in dealing with Ishmael. I love that He is still firm about what His plan is.
Lord, help us to hear Your instruction, Your guidance, Your words to us. Thank You for rising up mighty men of God to teach us more about You. Thank You for Your word and for giving us what we need to have to learn about You.
Help us to be forever changed by You, walking according to Your Spirit, doing Your will.
In Jesus Name - amen
Genesis 17:9-14 The covenant and circumcision
God said further to Abraham, “Now as for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations. 10 This is My covenant, which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 And you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and you. 12 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. 13 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. 14 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.”
Okay, normally I stick right to the text at hand. But, here I can't do it.
In the new testament (some of by Bible scholar friends will have to help me by telling me where) the New Testament Jesus church is just starting out and there is a debate between some of the leaders. Some want the gentiles who are coming in to be circumcised. Here is why. I understand, growing up with this covenant as your standard, your guide. I understand why they want to make the gentiles come in to this covenant. It is spelled out by God himself. It is clear that ALL of the household are to be circumcised. It was important to fully obey God. They just didn't understand how fully the new covenant had replaced the old one. We will have a great conversation about that in 10 years when we get to the new testament - ha haha.
Now, for the current.
obedience to a covenant was very important and laid out clearly here. Specifics.
I am still struck by the fact that God so carefully lines out clearly what is important to adhere to. He didn't make them guess whether or not their servants "counted" in the convenant. He told them exactly what He wanted. He also didn't make them guess what would happen if they were not circumcised.
Not many people have seen a circumcision done. I have seen many. Not on the 8th day, but honestly I don't know why we ever stepped away from God's idea there. He made us, He probably knows when it is best to do that. Either way, not to be too inappropriate, but, these men were far older than 8 days old and it is not a pleasant experience. They were serious about God and their obedience was not easy.
Sometimes I think we get soft and whimpy in our obedience to God. I whine when I get a little less sleep than I think I want. I need to toughen up!
What I learn about the character of God here is that when something is very important, He makes sure the message is clear. And, that sometimes God will ask me to do difficult stuff, that's okay. He doesn't even really have to tell me why. Note that however clear God was about what they were to do, why was nowhere in this conversation. I also need to help my children and grandchildren learn (which is personal difficulty for me) that there is value in limited information obedience if the person asking it is trustworthy. God doesn't always answer all of our questions before he asks for our obedience.
Sorry, talking too much.
Lord, thank You for Your word. Thank You for allowing us to learn about who You are and how You work and what You desire from Your children. Please help us to hear You clearly, and follow You willingly, even when it is painful or not easy. In Jesus Name - amen
Okay, normally I stick right to the text at hand. But, here I can't do it.
In the new testament (some of by Bible scholar friends will have to help me by telling me where) the New Testament Jesus church is just starting out and there is a debate between some of the leaders. Some want the gentiles who are coming in to be circumcised. Here is why. I understand, growing up with this covenant as your standard, your guide. I understand why they want to make the gentiles come in to this covenant. It is spelled out by God himself. It is clear that ALL of the household are to be circumcised. It was important to fully obey God. They just didn't understand how fully the new covenant had replaced the old one. We will have a great conversation about that in 10 years when we get to the new testament - ha haha.
Now, for the current.
obedience to a covenant was very important and laid out clearly here. Specifics.
I am still struck by the fact that God so carefully lines out clearly what is important to adhere to. He didn't make them guess whether or not their servants "counted" in the convenant. He told them exactly what He wanted. He also didn't make them guess what would happen if they were not circumcised.
Not many people have seen a circumcision done. I have seen many. Not on the 8th day, but honestly I don't know why we ever stepped away from God's idea there. He made us, He probably knows when it is best to do that. Either way, not to be too inappropriate, but, these men were far older than 8 days old and it is not a pleasant experience. They were serious about God and their obedience was not easy.
Sometimes I think we get soft and whimpy in our obedience to God. I whine when I get a little less sleep than I think I want. I need to toughen up!
What I learn about the character of God here is that when something is very important, He makes sure the message is clear. And, that sometimes God will ask me to do difficult stuff, that's okay. He doesn't even really have to tell me why. Note that however clear God was about what they were to do, why was nowhere in this conversation. I also need to help my children and grandchildren learn (which is personal difficulty for me) that there is value in limited information obedience if the person asking it is trustworthy. God doesn't always answer all of our questions before he asks for our obedience.
Sorry, talking too much.
Lord, thank You for Your word. Thank You for allowing us to learn about who You are and how You work and what You desire from Your children. Please help us to hear You clearly, and follow You willingly, even when it is painful or not easy. In Jesus Name - amen
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