Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
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Background
Last week we saw the human element of Abram’s story play out as Sarai attempted to take matters into her own hands.
She saw that she had not given Abram the child that was promised, and gave him her maid Hagar in order to accomplish this.
In the end, a son was born to Abram, Ishmael, but he was not the son of promise.
From the end of 16 to verse 1, about 13 years have passed.
Life has gone on, and we have no details of what took place within that 13-year gap.
We don’t even know if God spoke to Abram during this time frame.
TIMELINE
One can only wonder what Abram was thinking during these 13 years.
We don’t know if Hagar shared about her encounter with God when she had run away, so it is entirely possible that Abram believed Ishmael to be the child of promise.
Ishmael was growing up in Abram’s house, and had all the rights and privileges of the firstborn.
God once again reveals Himself and interacts with Abram when he is 99 years old, older than most people in modern times live.
God identifies Himself as “Almighty.”
This is the first time in Scripture that this name is used to identify God, and it is telling that God uses it Himself.
God alone has the power to fulfill the promises He has made, and this title emphasizes this.
He tells Abram to “walk before” Him, and “be blameless.”
Some commentators think that these are requirements for Abram to do (imperative) in order for God to establish His covenant (v. 2), but this doesn’t make sense in light of ch. 15.
It makes more sense that this was a call for Abram to walk before the eyes of God, within His view.
This is having fellowship with God.
Abram could no more escort or lead God than he could present himself before God’s throne.
Also, just as his faith was credited as righteousness, so too would God import blamelessness upon Abram.
Abram could not do this for himself.
God reaffirms the promised covenant, that Abram would be multiplied.
Abram’s response is to thrown himself before God in humility.
God continues His promises, and as a symbol of the multitudes that would come from Abram, God changes his name.
Abraham is his new name, with a new meaning and a new reflection on reality.
God’s covenant is expanded upon in detail, that kings would come from Abraham, that the covenant would be everlasting to all of Abraham’s descendants, and that the land would always belong to Abraham’s descendants.
God will also be their God.
He is known as the God of Abraham for a reason (Deut.
14:2).
This applies to us as well - 1 Pet.
2:9
God now commands that Abraham do something as a sign of belonging to the covenant that God made with Him - circumcision.
This sign would act as a reminder for all men (“in your flesh”) in his house of the covenant to which they belong.
This extended to servants that are born or purchased into Abraham’s household.
The significance of circumcision for the Jews is that of belonging, separation, purity, and loyalty.
The outward showed the inward devotion, just as Moses told the people:
This ultimately was what God wanted from His chosen people - their love.
Paul makes the argument that the outward symbol means nothing if the inward heart has no faith in God.
Furthermore, believers in Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection are inwardly circumcised by Christ:
In this sense, believers are children of Abraham:
Like Abraham, Sarai’s name was also changed because of the covenant, to Sarah.
There isn’t much difference in the meaning of the two names, but Sarah has a more noble implication.
God specifically states that the promised son will come from Sarah, who is 90 at this time.
She is also promised the same blessings as Abraham was.
An interesting thought is shown with Abraham - but this was not a lack of faith (Rom.
4:19-20).
Abraham, still clinging to his firstborn, pleads that God would choose Ishmael instead.
God knows all that will take place, and His sovereign will cannot be changed by our whims.
God names the promised child Isaac - “laughter.”
But, He does promise to bless Ishmael abundantly.
God promises that Sarah will be pregnant within 1 year, and then leaves.
We see Abraham immediately obeying the command of God, circumcising every man in his household, including himself at 99 years old.
Abraham’s actions show his heart for the Lord - in his faith, he is obedient.
Our love for God is shown through our actions.
Jesus teaches this:
Look at the results of keeping God’s commands:
What we ask for, it will be done.
Asking for God’s will, not ours.
God is glorified when we bear fruit.
We prove to be Jesus’ disciples.
We will have the joy of the Lord.
APPLICATION
God alone has the power to fulfill the promises He has made.
Our love for God is shown through our actions.
Next week, we will continue the story of Abram's sojourning.
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