The Sons of Abraham (Gen 17:15-27)

God also said to Abraham, ”As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah. I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.” Abraham fell facedown: he laughed and said to himself, “Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?” And Abraham said to God, “If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!” Then God said, “Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him, I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation. Bur my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you by this time next year.” When he had finished speaking with Abraham, God went up from him. On that very day Abraham took his son Ishmael and all those born in his household or bought with his money, every male in his household, and circumcised them, as God told him. Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised, and his son Ishmael was thirteen; Abraham and his son Ishmael were both circumcised on that same day. And every male in Abraham’s household, including those born in his household or bought from a foreigner, was circumcised with him.

1.????? Abraham fell facedown and laughed when God told him he would be a father when he was ninety-nine and Sarah was ninety years old. Falling facedown indicates worship and fear. Yet Abraham also laughed inside at the impossibility of what God promised to do. Christians have faith and a certain hope in their salvation and resurrection. Have you ever wondered like Abraham at unlikely methods and timing of God in fulfilling his promises?

2.????? Abraham seeks a blessing for Ishmael in response to the blessings God pronounces upon his unborn son through Sarah. Why do you think Abraham was concerned about Ishmael? What is the difference between being a blessed covenant child and a blessed child without being a covenantal child? How does this support the doctrine of predestination?

3. Abraham has his entire household circumcised that very day. His response of obedience was decisive and complete. When God reveals truth to you, do you act upon it immediately? What are some reasons that you might delay?