An Everlasting Covenant

Genesis 17 records a major renewal of God's covenant with Abraham. Thirteen years after Ishmael's birth, the Lord appears and says, I am God Almighty. Walk before me and be blameless. The phrase my covenant appears again and again. God promises to multiply Abraham greatly, to give the land of Canaan as an everlasting possession, and, most precious of all, to be God to Abraham and to his offspring after him.

God marks this moment with new names. Abraham means father of a multitude, and Sarah is promised to be a mother of nations, with kings among her descendants. God also gives a covenant sign to be placed on every male in Abraham's household, even servants and foreigners in his home. The sign showed that the covenant came from God and belonged to the whole family. Later, Paul explains that the sign was a seal of the righteousness Abraham already had by faith (Romans 4:11), and that what matters most is a heart changed by God.

Abraham laughs at the thought of a son at one hundred, and asks God to let Ishmael live before Him. God answers with grace: Ishmael will be blessed and become a great nation, but the covenant will be established with Isaac, to be born at this season next year. Abraham responds with immediate obedience.