13_A covenant-making God
Gen 17:7 I will confirm my covenant as a perpetual covenant between me and you. It will extend to your descendants after you throughout their generations. I will be your God and the God of your descendants after you.
It had been 24 years since Abram left Ur of the Chaldeans at God’s call. He had stepped out in faith on a journey to an unknown destination. God had promised him descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky. Thirteen years had passed since the birth of Ishmael, the son of Abram through the Egyptian slave Hagar, his wife Sarai’s maidservant. That shared decision, born out of human reasoning and desperation, fomented strife and jealousy in the household.
The passage of time and their bodily experience of aging pushed the fulfilment of the promise into the realm of impossibility. Abram and Sarai were at a point of complete helplessness.
And then, God appeared to Abram. This wasn’t his first encounter with God. The God of glory had appeared to Abram in Mesopotamia and commanded him to leave. He had seen visions of God in moments of worship and sacrifice. But this time was different. God appeared to him, revealing Himself personally by a significant name that Abram had never heard before: El Shaddai—God Almighty. This name was a declaration of God’s infinite power, His sufficiency, and His ability to fulfill His promises. To a man who felt powerless, God’s message was clear: “I am the Almighty. Nothing is too hard for Me.”
In a season of waiting, facing apparently impossible circumstances, let us remember El Shaddai, God Almighty. God began with a breathtaking declaration:
“As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I will make you the father of a multitude of nations” (Genesis 17:4-5).
God’s covenant with Abram was a binding agreement that rested entirely on His faithfulness. Abram’s ability played no part in it, but his faith in God was essential. The repeated words “I will” echoed the divine commitment. God was not offering possibilities; He was making promises. His promises were unchangeable, unbreakable, and irrevocable. His covenant was a display of sovereign grace. It demonstrated for all time that God’s plans and salvation do not depend on or require human strength or effort.
Abram’s name was changed. No longer was he the “exalted father”, Abram, but Abraham, “father of a multitude.” This was a prophetic change, declaring God’s purpose through him. Abram was now nearly 100 years old. He had fathered only one son, that too by a woman other than his wife. It needed immense faith to carry the name “father of a multitude”. Yet he believed God. He trusted that what seemed impossible to him was entirely possible for the Almighty.
The covenant of God gave rich promises to Abraham and his people:
Posterity: God promised that Abraham’s descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky. Moreover, the covenant would be established through Isaac, the son yet to be born. This gave Abraham the faith to believe, at a much later time, that God would raise Isaac from the dead.
The land: The land of Canaan was promised to Abraham and his descendants as an everlasting possession, a tangible reminder of God’s faithfulness to His people.
Blessings: Abraham and his family would experience God’s blessings. Through their faith, his descendant Mary was chosen to give to the world the Seed of Abraham, Jesus Christ, who is the blessing of all nations.
Who are the heirs of this covenant? Abraham had other children besides Isaac. However, all his biological sons did not inherit the covenant promises just because they were his physical descendants. Scripture clarifies: “It is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God; rather, the children of the promise are counted as descendants” (Romans 9:8).
Abraham’s heirs are those who share his faith. This promise extends beyond ethnic boundaries to all who believe: “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:29).
As a sign of the covenant, God told Abraham to have his entire household circumcised. More than a physical act, this was a spiritual declaration. It separated this household from those around them, marking them as the covenant people. Henceforth, all who wished to be part of this covenant would accept circumcision as a sign of their faith, for that was the condition of the covenant.
Abraham’s response was immediate and unquestioning. He circumcised every male in his household that very day. As a result, his entire household was vulnerable to any attack for several days as the males recuperated from the painful procedure. But Abraham didn’t pause to consider the risks after God had commanded him. This act of faith spoke volumes. Through his obedience, he declared, “I trust You, Lord.”
Let us remember our spiritual circumcision, the removal of the flesh. It was performed by Christ when we believed in him. (Col. 2: 11) “In Him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of your sinful nature, with the circumcision performed by Christ and not by human hands. And having been buried with Him in baptism…” By this we have become separated from all in or around us that is not of God. This spiritual circumcision is the sign that we are heirs of Abraham’s covenant.
Though the covenant was unconditional, God encouraged Abraham, “Walk before Me and be blameless.” (Genesis 17:1). Abraham was not perfect. But he could devote himself wholeheartedly to a life of integrity and trust in God. He could live in the fear of God constantly. Faith is not a one-time magical act but a lifelong journey of believing God and acting on His Word whatever happens.
This covenant reveals the heart of God—a God who initiates, sustains, and fulfills His promises. It challenges us to examine our relationship with Him. Are we living in faith and obedience, or are we relying on our limited understanding and human effort?
Abraham’s journey reminds us that faith doesn’t eliminate challenges or failures. Like us, Abraham often faltered. Yet God’s faithfulness never wavered. He repeatedly brought Abraham back into the paths of righteousness. He gave him new chances to trust and obey him. This is our covenant-making God.
Let us like Abraham keep moving forward. God’s promises are our shield and buckler. His power is made perfect in our weakness. God doesn’t abandon us when we falter, but strengthens our faith and encourages us to return in repentance. In trusting his might and love, we can give glory to the Almighty God who keeps His promises to those who believe him. God bless you.