Like Sands Through An Hourglass--Abraham

 

Genesis 12:1-3

Genesis 13:14-18

Genesis 15

Genesis 17

1 Chronicles 16:15-18

We have already seen God's faithfulness, human rebellion, and God's rescue plan in the covenants with Adam and with Noah.  Adam and Eve were not faithful covenant partners, yet God promises a Rescuer to come from their children. Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD, but the world-- recreated--quickly descended back into chaos right off the boat, yet the bow remains in the sky. Yahweh is true to HIS Word even when we are not true to ours.  

In Genesis 12, God calls a man named Abram--a descendant of Shem, Noah's son.  Abram lived with his wife, his father, his brother, and nephew Lot  in Ur of Chaldea. (Modern day Iraq!!) The LORD called Abram to leave his land and his family and go to a new land.  God promises to make Abram into a great nation--respected, blessed, and protected.  Later, Abram and Lot separate and divide land.  God tells Abram to go out and look in all directions and see land that will be his forever.  Yahweh--Promise Maker, Promise Keeper--will bless Abram with offspring, as many as the dust of the ground.  The LORD confirms His covenant with Abram in a vision, saying "Do not be afraid, Abram.  I am your shield; your reward will be very great."  Abram brings up the fact that, although God has promised offspring as many as the dust of the ground, he and Sarai remain childless.  Although Abram runs an alternate plan by God,  God doubles down on the original promise, now comparing Abram and Sarai's offspring to the stars of the sky.  (Beautiful truth---Abram believed the LORD and it was credited to him as righteousness. 💖)  Abram asks for a sign and God commands him to bring animals to sacrifice.  Abram divided the animals into pieces and waited for God to meet him there; he even had to shoo away predators that had come to steal the sacrifice.  At dusk, a deep sleep, a great terror and darkness came to Abram.  God lays out the future for Abram--the good and the bad.  God walked through the pieces while Abram slept, signifying covenant that cannot be revoked and relying on Yahweh alone.  

In true human fashion, Abram and Sarai look to themselves to fulfill God's promise.  Abram conceives a child with Sarai's maid in hopes that they will finally receive God's blessing.  Abram and Hagar receive a son, but it's not the son of covenant.  God, in true faithful fashion, remains true to His Word.  He Will provide offspring. And to prove it, God gives Abram a new name--Abraham, father of a multitude--and a new sign.  Circumcision.  

God is steadfast, unchanging, and full of surprises.  What a strange sign of a covenant.  (I will try not to be graphic, but I mean...it's circumcision.) God has promised land, offspring to inhabit the land, and blessing.  Abraham has fathered one child, but not a child with his wife.  Yet God is asking Abraham to carve off a piece of his reproductive organ?!?! Not just his but everyone in his household--slave and free.  What if they did it wrong?  What if infection set in and neither Abraham or any of his people had kids?  Did he trust God or not?  Yes he did.  He circumcised every male, including his only son, Ishmael.  

 These verses have been full of covenant language--I Am, I Will. We have labeled God's covenant to Abraham green because it's grassroots.  It's God calling a man and making him into a nation. It's a land of their own, complete with blessings, fame, and protection.   It's the beginning of the people of God, innumerable offspring, a people through whom God will display His faithful, loyal, stubborn, unwavering love to them and forever through them.