Abrahamic Covenant (Gen 17:1-14)

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless. I will confirm my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.” Abram fell face down, and God said to him, “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram, your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. “I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. The whole land of Canaan, where you are now an alien, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God.” Then God said to Abraham, “As for you, you must keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you for the generations to come. This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised. You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be a sign of the covenant between me and you. For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, including those born in our household or bought with money from a foreigner—those who are not your offspring. Whether born in your household or bought with your money, these must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh is to be an everlasting covenant. Any uncircumcised male, who has not been circumcised in the flesh, will be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.”??

1.????? Why do you think God waits until Abram is ninety-nine years old before he repeats his promise that Abram would have many descendants? Why does it sometimes take many years before God answers prayers?

2.????? God appears to Abram and reveals himself as the Almighty God. He tells him to walk before him and be blameless. It is God who justifies us through faith alone and it is his gift to those he chooses. (Rom 5:17, 6:23)?

3.????? God changes gives Abram (which means exalted father) a new name Abraham (which means the father of a multitude). Why are personal names important? What are some examples of the importance of personal names given in the Bible? Today personal names are generally not given to convey some hope or meaning. However, born again Christians have special names given by God that will be revealed in heaven.? (Rev 2:17)

4.????? God makes a covenant or promise to give Abraham many descendants including kings. He promises to be the God of Abraham’s descendants. God also promises to give the land of Canaan to his descendants. How were these promises fulfilled? Are there some future and everlasting promises yet to be realized? (Rev 21:1-8)

5.????? Abraham and his male descendants are to be circumcised. Circumcision is a very personal and painful process that involves the most intimate part of every male. How is circumcision related to born-again believers? (Col 2:9-12)