Genesis 36 - Gen. 17:1-18:21 - Avram - a New Name and a New Purpose

In Genesis chapter 17 we study some amazing things.  First, as in the previous lesson, lesson 36, we study the NEW covenant of circumcision, in Hebrew, Brit Meelah בְּרִית מִילָה.  And it is a NEW covenant but it seems to also be related to the NEW names Avram and Saree are given by Yahvay, the Lord.  Avram (exalted father) is now Avraham (the father of many nations and Saree (my princess) is not Sarah (princess – she will not just be the princess of Avraham but the princess of many nations).  Both of them share in the plans and agenda of the Lord. 

There’s more.  In this lesson in chapter 17 we now hear God update His promise to Avraham that He first made in chapter 12 …

Gen 12:2  And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing;

And then again in chapter 15 when we read …

After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward shall be very great." Abram said, "O Lord GOD, what will You give me, since I am childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?" And Abram said, "Since You have given no offspring to me, one born in my house is my heir." Then behold, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, "This man will not be your heir; but one who will come forth from your own body, he shall be your heir." (Gen 15:1-4)

 

God promises Avraham will have descendants.  He will have many descendants.  Avraham and Sarah probably thought this would happen through the accepted manner then through the maid servant, Hagar (see lesson 34) since Saree and Avram both knew they could not have kids at their age.  But, God had to help Avraham and Sarah understand that His plan was Avraham and Sarah would have a son.  This is a NEW plan.  God didn’t specify this earlier but now we read …

Then God said to Abraham, "As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. "I will bless her, and indeed I will give you a son by her. Then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her." (Gen 17:15-16)

 

So, this indeed is a chapter of NEW things!  It reminds us that all this leads to the NEW covenant in Jerusalem in Jesus.  We are NEW creatures in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17).  Moreover, this chapter 17 is connected to us and we see Paul teach us a NEW perspective of who we are.  We believers we are sons and daughters of Avraham as Paul teaches (Gal. 3:7 and in 3:29). 

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  Why listen to him?

Link for background on our teacher, Rev. John Ferret - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0