1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless. 2 I will confirm my covenant

11When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless.Almighty; walk before me and be blameless. 22I will I will confirm my covenant between me and you and will confirm my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.”greatly increase your numbers.”

13 years after the birth of Ishmael.13 years after the birth of Ishmael.

We are not informed of any other communication We are not informed of any other communication between Abram and God, although it might have between Abram and God, although it might have occurred. occurred.

Abram here is middle aged. (dies at 175)Abram here is middle aged. (dies at 175)

11When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless.before me and be blameless. 22I will confirm my I will confirm my covenant between me and you and will greatly covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.”increase your numbers.”

El Shaddee – the God who Suffices El Shaddee – the God who Suffices (The one who can get it done, no (The one who can get it done, no matter what it is!)matter what it is!) “ “walk before me” ~ the same idea as “preipateo”walk before me” ~ the same idea as “preipateo” live in total accountabilitylive in total accountability

“ “be blameless” ~ contains the idea of be blameless” ~ contains the idea of completenesscompleteness

Was Abram “blameless”? Was Abram “blameless”? Go for it realistically.Go for it realistically.




What does God have planned for Abraham as the What does God have planned for Abraham as the outcome of the adversity and seeming outcome of the adversity and seeming hopelessness that has been put upon him?hopelessness that has been put upon him?

Romans 8 & Jeremiah 29Romans 8 & Jeremiah 29




What does God have planned for Abraham as the What does God have planned for Abraham as the outcome of the adversity and seeming outcome of the adversity and seeming hopelessness that has been put upon him?hopelessness that has been put upon him?

““increase you exceedingly exceedingly.”increase you exceedingly exceedingly.”


Confirming of the covenant.Confirming of the covenant.

Genesis 12:1-3; 15Genesis 12:1-3; 15

11When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless.Almighty; walk before me and be blameless. 22I will I will confirm my covenant between me and you and will confirm my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.”greatly increase your numbers.” 33Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, 44“As “As for me, this is my covenant with you:for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be You will be the father of many nations.the father of many nations.

11When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless.Almighty; walk before me and be blameless. 22I will I will confirm my covenant between me and you and will confirm my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.”greatly increase your numbers.” 33Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, 44“As “As for me, this is my covenant with you:for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be You will be the father of many nations.the father of many nations. 55No longer will you be No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.have made you a father of many nations. 66I will I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you.and kings will come from you.

Abram ~ exalted fatherAbram ~ exalted fatherAbraham ~ father of manyAbraham ~ father of many

11When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless.Almighty; walk before me and be blameless. 22I will I will confirm my covenant between me and you and will confirm my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.”greatly increase your numbers.” 33Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, 44“As “As for me, this is my covenant with you:for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be You will be the father of many nations.the father of many nations. 55No longer will you be No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.have made you a father of many nations. 66I will I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. and kings will come from you. 77I will establish my I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. your descendants after you.

This ends up as an “open” descendancy. Anyone This ends up as an “open” descendancy. Anyone can join.can join.

The Rahab opportunity. The Rahab opportunity. Galatians 3:6-9.Galatians 3:6-9.Genesis 12:3b:Genesis 12:3b:

“ “all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

11When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless.Almighty; walk before me and be blameless. 22I will I will confirm my covenant between me and you and will confirm my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.”greatly increase your numbers.” 33Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, 44“As “As for me, this is my covenant with you:for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be You will be the father of many nations.the father of many nations. 55No longer will you be No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.have made you a father of many nations. 66I will I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. and kings will come from you. 77I will establish my I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.your descendants after you. 88The whole land of The whole land of Canaan, where you are now an alien, I will give as Canaan, where you are now an alien, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God.” descendants after you; and I will be their God.”

A five hundred year plan. A five hundred year plan. We dare to think that it is just about us?We dare to think that it is just about us?

99Then God said to Abraham, “As for you, you must Then God said to Abraham, “As for you, you must keep my covenant, you and your descendants after keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you for the generations to come.you for the generations to come.

Up until now, the Covenant has been simply God’s Up until now, the Covenant has been simply God’s promise.promise.

99Then God said to Abraham, “As for you, you must Then God said to Abraham, “As for you, you must keep my covenant, you and your descendants after keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you for the generations to come.you for the generations to come. 1010This is my This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised. you shall be circumcised. 1111You are to undergo You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you. between me and you.

Circumcision: Circumcision: a continual reminder of the agreementa continual reminder of the agreement

(not intended to be redemptive)(not intended to be redemptive)cannot be undonecannot be undonestarts children off in the observancesstarts children off in the observances(practice was not unique to Abraham)(practice was not unique to Abraham)


Why Circumcision? Why Circumcision? Lots of ideas out there:Lots of ideas out there:

health provisions (implies faulty creation)health provisions (implies faulty creation)better sex / worse sexbetter sex / worse sexsymbolic of removing sin from our livessymbolic of removing sin from our lives


Why Circumcision? Why Circumcision?

The text says . . . “oth”, a sign of agreementThe text says . . . “oth”, a sign of agreement

A personal “mark” that effects the direction of A personal “mark” that effects the direction of one’s life.one’s life.

(Ephesians 1:13; baptism?)(Ephesians 1:13; baptism?)

Note: infant baptism is not a biblical practiceNote: infant baptism is not a biblical practice a “wet” dedication, perhapsa “wet” dedication, perhaps regardless, the ana-baptists have a good regardless, the ana-baptists have a good point herepoint here

99Then God said to Abraham, “As for you, you must Then God said to Abraham, “As for you, you must keep my covenant, you and your descendants after keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you for the generations to come.you for the generations to come. 1010This is my This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised. you shall be circumcised. 1111You are to undergo You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you. between me and you. 1212For the generations to For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, including those born in your must be circumcised, including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner—household or bought with money from a foreigner—those who are not your offspring. those who are not your offspring. 1313Whether born in Whether born in your household or bought with your money, they your household or bought with your money, they must be circumcised.must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh is My covenant in your flesh is to be an everlasting covenant. to be an everlasting covenant.

Why circumcise babies who have made no Why circumcise babies who have made no choice in the choice in the matter? matter?Think if this as a sort of “trust fund” guarantee. Think if this as a sort of “trust fund” guarantee.

99Then God said to Abraham, “As for you, you must Then God said to Abraham, “As for you, you must keep my covenant, you and your descendants after keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you for the generations to come.you for the generations to come. 1010This is my This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised. you shall be circumcised. 1111You are to undergo You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you. between me and you. 1212For the generations to For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, including those born in your must be circumcised, including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner—household or bought with money from a foreigner—those who are not your offspring. those who are not your offspring. 1313Whether born in Whether born in your household or bought with your money, they your household or bought with your money, they must be circumcised.must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh is My covenant in your flesh is to be an everlasting covenant. to be an everlasting covenant. 1414Any uncircumcised Any uncircumcised male, who has not been circumcised in the flesh, male, who has not been circumcised in the flesh, will be cut off from his people; he has broken my will be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.”covenant.”

1515God also said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your God also said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah.will be Sarah. 1616I will bless her and will surely give I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her.you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.” from her.”

1515God also said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your God also said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah.will be Sarah. 1616I will bless her and will surely give I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her.you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.” from her.” 1717Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, “Will a son be born to a man a hundred himself, “Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old?years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?”ninety?” 1818And Abraham said to God, “If only And Abraham said to God, “If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!”Ishmael might live under your blessing!”

God had already said that Ishmael was not the God had already said that Ishmael was not the heir.heir.

1919Then God said, “Yes, but your wife Sarah will Then God said, “Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son,bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. and you will call him Isaac. I will I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. covenant for his descendants after him.

1919Then God said, “Yes, but your wife Sarah will Then God said, “Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son,bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. and you will call him Isaac. I will I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. covenant for his descendants after him. 2020And as And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase him; I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers.his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers, He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation. and I will make him into a great nation.

1919Then God said, “Yes, but your wife Sarah will Then God said, “Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son,bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. and you will call him Isaac. I will I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. covenant for his descendants after him. 2020And as And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase him; I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers.his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers, He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation. and I will make him into a great nation. 2121But my But my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you by this time next year.”bear to you by this time next year.” 2222When he had When he had finished speaking with Abraham, God went up from finished speaking with Abraham, God went up from him.him.

2323On that very day Abraham took his son Ishmael On that very day Abraham took his son Ishmael and all those born in his household or bought with and all those born in his household or bought with his money, every male in his household, and his money, every male in his household, and circumcised them, as God told him.circumcised them, as God told him. 2424Abraham was Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised,ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised, 2525and his son Ishmael was thirteen; and his son Ishmael was thirteen; 2626Abraham and Abraham and his son Ishmael were both circumcised on that his son Ishmael were both circumcised on that same day. same day. 2727And every male in Abraham’s And every male in Abraham’s household , including those born in his household or household , including those born in his household or bought from a foreigner, was circumcised with him.bought from a foreigner, was circumcised with him.

Obedience and stalling are not synonyms.Obedience and stalling are not synonyms.

Applications:Applications:

~ We have time to grow; work on blamelessness. ~ We have time to grow; work on blamelessness. Abraham stumbles, a lot and big.Abraham stumbles, a lot and big.

(common observation) (common observation) ~ Delay does not mean denial. Over 500 years to ~ Delay does not mean denial. Over 500 years to fulfill part one.fulfill part one.~ Are we “marked”. ~ Are we “marked”.

Are our lives effected by the “circumcision of Are our lives effected by the “circumcision of our hearts”? our hearts”? Are we changed in our core identity?Are we changed in our core identity?

~ Obey now, not when you are ready to.~ Obey now, not when you are ready to.~ Life with God is a process, not an event. ~ Life with God is a process, not an event.

Do not stopDo not stopIf you are in Christ, you are permanently marked.If you are in Christ, you are permanently marked.

Documents

1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless. 2 I will confirm my covenant