Summary of Genesis 17:1-8:
When Abram was 99 years old, God appears to Abram again to confirm His covenant with him, saying again how he will increase his numbers and how he will be the father of many nations. He changes Abram’s name to Abraham (means father of many). God will make nations of him, and kings will come from him. The covenant will be an everlasting covenant with Abraham and his descendants, and the whole land of Canaan will be an everlasting possession to him and his descendants as well.
BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 11, Day 2: Genesis 17:1-8
3) God doesn’t just appear to anyone. He appears to Abraham who responds appropriately by falling facedown, showing submission. They had a very close relationship, one full of reverence and awe.
4a) To be blameless is to not be able to be accused of wrongdoing before God ( Psalm 15:2 ; 18:23 ). Through the death of Jesus and by God’s infinite grace and power, He declares that all believers in Christ are blameless in His sight. Col 1:22 1 Cor 1:8 ; Jude 24 Blameless also means whole, so God wants our entire being committed to Him.
b) Simply by believing in the saving power of Christ. Matthew 5:43-48 says to love your enemies. Philippians 2:13 says it’s God who works in us according to His good purpose. Colossians 1:26-29 says it’s Christ in us.
5) God promises that Abraham will be the father of many nations. God will make nations of him, and kings will come from him. The covenant will be an everlasting covenant with Abraham and his descendants, and the whole land of Canaan will be an everlasting possession to him and his descendants as well.
6) Personal Question. My answer: All of the promises in the Bible apply to me, and yes, I trust God to keep them. Even this covenant applies to me; it’s just renewed with Christ’s New Covenant. I trust God because He has always been faithful. He does what He says He will do.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 11, Day 2: Genesis 17:1-8
I love when God appears to people in the Bible, mainly because I picture God appearing to me. I love this repetition. I love how God cares enough to appear so many times for reassurance.
End Notes BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 11, Day 2: Genesis 17:1-8
It has now been 13 years since God last appeared to Abram (Genesis 16:15-16)., at least that is recorded in the Bible. Ninety-nine is still old, even for ancient times, so God is reassuring Abraham that soon he will have a son. Just for reference, if you remember Abram was 75 when he was called out of Haran, which we saw in Genesis 12:4. and 86 when Ismael was born, which we saw in (Genesis 16:15-16)
Bible scholars believe that this was God in the form of Jesus.
The Hebrew for “I am God Almighty” is El Shaddai, which the exact meaning is still debated. Some say it means “I am God sufficient,” or “One who has His hand in everything.” It could have the connotation of poured out as well or rich and abundant.
Next we are to be blameless. Once we know who God is, this is possible.
Fun Fact: This is the first name change recorded in the Bible. We will see Jacob changed to Israel here soon (Genesis 32:28) and, of course, there’s Simon Peter Mark 3:16.
We are promised a new name too! (Revelation 2:17).
Names are significant in the Bible, so we should dive deep into them when we can.
Note: Every time God makes a promise to Abraham, it’s better than the last. Now, many nations will come and so will kings. We can apply this by thinking every time we are faced with a situation, God will make it/us greater. The land and the covenant is for everyone. And if you doubt God’s word, the nation of Israel is living proof that God keeps His promises.
