A Covenant God

Genesis 17:9-14

Five times in five verses the word “Covenant” is used, and we all have a clear understanding of that word.  It is an agreement, it is commonly used in a contract drawn up by deed, and it may be a clause in a contract.  In this case it is an agreement that brings about a relationship of commitment between God and Abraham and his seed.  The first time we saw the word used in Scripture was God’s covenant with Noah after the flood, and that covenant and the one made to Abraham is still in affect.

A reminder of what has happened, Abram is ninety-nine years old, both he and Sarai are well past the age of having children, and God shows up.  Something is different in the way he revealed Himself.  Henry M. Morris tells us on page 332 of “The Genesis Record” “God revealed Himself this time to Abram by a new name, El Shaddai, meaning “Almighty God,” thus stressing His omnipotence.  God had already made His covenant with Abram; He was now ready to put it into force.”  It is also of importance to note that Genesis 17: 4-5, required a name change, Abram means (“exalted father”) and in verse 5, God states; “No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.”  He is now Abraham, (“father of multitudes”).

In the covenant with Noah it was a visible sign, the rainbow, and with Abraham it was a visible sign, the removing of the flesh of the foreskins, it is called circumcision.  This was the requirement; all who were in the house of Abraham, sons, slaves, servants including Abraham, were to be circumcised, and all who were born into that group at the age of eight days.  This only applied to male children and though it may seem strange, it did have sanitary and health reasons involved, but that was not the main reason and God does not imply such a purpose.  On page 333, paragraph 4, “The emphasis of the covenant, of course, was on the promised seed, and on the abundance of progeny which would accrue to Abraham.  The male sexual organ is the remarkable, divinely created vehicle for the transmission of this seed from one generation to another.  The circumcision (“cutting round”) of this channel would thus picture its complete enclosure within God’s protective and productive will.  Furthermore, it was primarily a sign only to the individual concerned, his parents, and his wife.  It was not a sign to be shown to people in general, but was uniquely personal.”

God is often referred to as a covenant God, the covenant that He made with Noah and Abraham are still in place and the covenant Jesus Christ has made to all who will come, is also in place.  Matthew 26:26-28, gives this account; “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”  Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “drink from it, all of you.  This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” 

Form the Back Porch,

Bob Rice