Genesis 17:6-27

F.    Genesis 17:6 – And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.

1.     2^nd “I will”

2.     Restatement of terms of covenant, unconditional

3.     Isaiah 44:7 - And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them.

G.     Genesis 17:7 – And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

1.     3^rd “I will”

2.     Again, the covenant was already established in Chapter 15.

a.      Leupold translates “…I will uphold my covenant…”

3.     Everlasting - עולם `owlam, masculine noun, long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world

4.     One way, God will be a God to Abraham and his seed nothing required from Abraham in return.  It could be implied here that God chose Abraham because of his faith that God had already counted as righteousness.

H.    Genesis 17:8 – And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

1.     4^th “I will”

I.    Genesis 17:9 – And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations.

1.     We keep seeing the phrase “and thy seed after thee”.  Is this a singular or a plurality of seed?

2.     Galatians 3:16 – Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made.  He saith not, “And to seeds,” as of many; but as of one, “And to thy Seed,” Which is Christ.

3.     So it appears that the seed being referred to is singular pointing to the singular Christ.  So when God made the covenant between man and God He was able to make that covenant with Himself, as the burning lamp, before He was born as a man yet standing in the place of man in covenant relation with the Father.

J.     Genesis 17:10 – This [is] my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.

1.     Condition placed upon the covenant “which ye shall keep” as a token

2.     Circumcised - מול muwl, verb, to circumcise, let oneself be circumcised, cut, be cut off

3.     Notice that it is every male within Abraham’s household. 

a.      The child has no choice in the matter

b.      Taught the ways of the Lord as they grow

c.      How is this similar to the New Covenant commandment to be baptized?

d.      Gives some support for infant baptism, children have no choice in the matter, they later “confirm” what they received in ignorance much like circumcision.

e.      Since the young men have no voice as to whether they will be circumcised or not, upholding the covenant remained the duty of the parents of the child; therefore, the token/symbol was upheld through the faith and obedience of the parents.

f.       We can see a difference between Old Testament instructions under law and New Testament under grace.  Much more left to the imagination in the New and probably why we have thousands of denominations of Christianity.

g.      Does God say only your (Abraham’s) children are to be circumcised? Does this mean that God’s covenant is upon the entire household of Abraham regardless of race? Appears so

·        Remember Abraham’s household was trained in the ways of the Lord

·        No evidence of any racial superiority at all

K.     Genesis 17:11 – And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.

1.     Token - אות 'owth, feminine noun, 1) sign, signal, 2) token, ensign, standard, miracle, proof.  The same word is translated several different ways.

a.      Genesis 1:14 - And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:

·        Signs - אות 'owth

b.      Genesis 4:15 - And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.

·        Mark - אות 'owth

c.      Genesis 9:13 - I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.

·        Token - אות 'owth

2.     The difference between the token/sign/mark of circumcision compared to the past is that God has now transferred the administration of it to Abraham and his seed; whereas the others God remained the administrator.

L.    Genesis 17:12– And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which [is] not of thy seed.

1.     Eight – the number of new beginnings

a.      Octave’s in Music (ABCDEFG) A is the 1^st and 8^th

b.      Colors (Roy G Biv) Red is the 1^st and 8^th

c.      Days of Week (S-M-T-W-Th-F-S) Sunday is the 1^st and 8^th

d.      David was the eighth son representing a new beginning to the Monarchy after the corruption of Saul’s reign.

e.      Eight people on the ark (2 Peter 2:5), the whole world was apparently populated from these 8, a new beginning.

f.       Jesus makes the number 888 by Gamatria

g.      Every name of the Lord is a multiple of Eight

2.     The promises of the covenant are not exclusively for Abraham’s natural children but his entire household

a.      How do those who are not of Abraham’s seed become part of Abraham’s household?

·        Galatians 3:6-7 – Even as Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness.  Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

·        Acts 10:43-48 – To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins. While Peter yet spake these words the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.  And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.  For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.  Then answered Peter, “Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord…”

o       Genesis 12:3 – And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curseth thee and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

o       Galatians 3:26-29 – For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.  For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.  And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

§        Didn’t we just determine that Abraham’s seed was singular in nature pointing to Christ from Galatians 3:16 how is it then that we being in Christ are all Abraham’s seed?

§        “ye are all one in Christ” as the body of Christ we are one being singular in nature with Christ and therefore become joint-heirs with Him.

b.      Even though the covenant was made with Abraham and his seed being established in Christ through Isaac, the benefits that Christ brings are not only for Abraham’s family, but all who are of faith.  Those who have faith are blessed through the faithfulness of Abraham and the covenant God established with Him.

c.      They are adopted into the old covenant through the act of circumcision

·        How can this be since the seed will be established through Isaac?

o       Romans 8:14 - For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

·        Obligations are required from those who stand in relation with God

o       Jeremiah 4:4 – Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench [it], because of the evil of your doings.

§        God speaking to the men of Judah who were circumcised at birth telling them to circumcise the foreskins of your heart, cast away your evil activities

o       Deuteronomy 10:16 - Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.

o       Deuteronomy 30:6 – And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.

o       Romans 2:29 – But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

o       Colossians2:9-12 - For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.  And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with [him] through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

3.     Females not excluded from the covenant, but excluded from the token

4.     So why circumcision? What is the significance?

a.      Possibly a constant reminder of God’s promise

b.      Possibly to teach the responsibility of being a father

M.    Genesis 17:13 – He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.

N.      Genesis 17:14 – And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.

1.     “cut off” - כרת karath, verb, to cut, cut off, cut down, cut off a body part, cut out, eliminate, kill, cut a covenant

2.     In essence the uncircumcised man is circumcised from his people under this covenant 

II.              God’s Promise to Sarah (Genesis 17:15-19)

A.    Genesis 17:15 – And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah [shall] her name [be].

1.     Sarah – שרה Sarah, "noblewoman" as opposed to “princess”

2.     Changed from שרי to שרה by changing י to a ה

3.     God placed his stamp upon both Abraham and Sarah by inserting the “breath of God” in their very names.

a.      John 20:22 - And when he had said this, he breathed on [them], and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

b.      Genesis 2:7 - And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

c.      H is common letter to both יהוה Yĕhovah and אלהים 'elohiym

B.     Genesis 17:16 – And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be [a mother] of nations; kings of people shall be of her.

1.     5^th & 6^th “I will”

2.     First instance where God specifically states that Sarah will bring forth the promised son. 

a.      It could have and should have been pre-supposed under the implication of a God ordained monogamous marriage.

b.      Note that this promise to be a mother of nations can only be through Isaac as he was her only child, Ishmael and the sons of Keturah therefore cannot be of the nations that this promise specifies.

C.    Genesis 17:17 – Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall [a child] be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?

1.     Laughed - צחק tsachaq, verb, to laugh, mock, play

2.     To us this would seem impossible, but remember Noah was still around for some part of Abraham’s life didn’t have Shem, Ham and Japheth until he was 500 years old so with regard to Abraham’s ancestry this doesn’t seem to be all that big a deal.

3.     Though Abraham laughed, he did so falling on his face which is an act of humility and worship and not a lack of faith

D.    Genesis 17:18 – And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!

1.     It seems that Abraham is under the impression that Ishmael is to die by reason of this covenant in order to make way for Isaac. 

2.     Abraham is interceding on behalf of Ishmael that God may direct good will toward him, God hears this request in vv. 20

E.     Genesis 17:19 – And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, [and] with his seed after him.

1.     7^th “I will” pertaining to Abraham’s covenant

2.     Isaac - יצחק Yitschaq, masculine noun, "he laughs"

3.     Covenant “established” in Isaac for an everlasting covenant, because the covenant that God made with himself who is also the Seed of Isaac. 

III.            Ishmael’s Blessings (Genesis 17:20-22)

A.    Genesis 17:20 – And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.

1.     Note 12 princes of Ishmael compared to the 12 tribes of Israel

2.     Non-circumcision was a reproach to Israelites as well as Ishmaelites

a.      Joshua 5:9 - And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you. Wherefore the name of the place is called Gilgal unto this day.

·        Interesting that this verb ‘galal’ is used here which means to roll away and throughout most of the OT refers to rolling stones.

b.      Luke 24:2 – And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulcher.

·        Just as uncircumcision was a reproach and an obstacle of the children of Israel, the stone was a reproach or an obstacle to Jesus, both were “rolled away”.

3.     They were reproached because of their uncircumcision

4.     I have heard thee-  A response to Abraham from vv. 18

B.     Genesis 17:21 – But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.

1.     Set time – מועד mow`ed, masculine noun, appointed place, appointed time, meeting

a.      Genesis 1:14 - And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:

·        For seasons - מועד mow`ed

b.      Genesis 18:14 – Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.

·        At the time appointed - מועד mow`ed

c.      Genesis 21:2 – For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.

·        At the set time - מועד mow`ed

C.    Genesis 17:22 – And he left off talking with him, and God went up from Abraham. 

IV.            Enactment of the Token of Circumcision (Genesis 17:23-27)

A.    Genesis 17:23 – And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said unto him.

B.     Genesis 17:24 – And Abraham [was] ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

C.    Genesis 17:25 – And Ishmael his son [was] thirteen years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

1.     The number 13 stands in connection with rebellion, apostasy, defection, corruption, disintegration, revolution, or some kindred idea. Bullinger

2.     Contrast Ishmael being 13 years old when he was circumcised vs. 8 days old for Isaac

D.    Genesis 17:26 – In the selfsame day was Abraham circumcised, and Ishmael his son.

1.     Abram was 99 when he was circumcised

E.     Genesis 17:27 – And all the men of his house, born in the house, and bought with money of the stranger, were circumcised with him.

1.     Foreshadowing of the adoption of all those who believe in Christ Jesus.

Genesis 16:8 - 17:5

H.    Genesis 16:8 – And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai.

1.     By Hagar’s own admission the mistress/maid relationship remains in tact

I.     Genesis 16:9 – And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.

1.     Submit - ענה `anah, to afflict, oppress, humble, be afflicted, be bowed down

2.     Hagar is a bond slave to Sarai, she does not have the freedom to leave.  It is only by the authority of Sarai that Hagar can be released from her servitude.

J.    Genesis 16:10 – And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.

1.     “I will multiply,” Does an angel have the authority to multiply one’s seed?

2.     Thy seed = Hagar’s seed, seed of woman?

a.      Seed - זרע zera`, seed, sowing, offspring

K.    Genesis 16:11 – And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou [art] with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction.

1.     Ishmael - ישמעאל Yishma`e'l, "God will hear"

2.     By stating that He the Lord has heard thy affliction implies that Hagar has cried out to God for His help.

3.     Abram’s first son Ishmael:

a.      Galatians 4:22- For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.

·        Hagar – bondwoman

·        Sarai - freewoman 

b.      Galatians 4:23-25 - But he [who was] of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman [was] by promise.  Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar (Hagar).  For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.

·        Hagar – Mount Sinai

o       Ishmael – the law - bondage

·        Sarai – Jerusalem (Hagar answers to Sarai and Mt. Sinai answers to the Law)

o       Isaac – the promise

c.      Galatians 4:26-27 – But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.  For it is written, Rejoice, [thou] barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.

·        Jerusalem = free = mother of us all

o       Us – Galatians 4:31 – 5:1 -  So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free. Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

·        Sarai – Jerusalem – Waiting for the promise

o       Sarai’s husband – Abram

o       Jerusalem’s husband – God

§        Revelation 21:2 - And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

L.     Genesis 16:12 – And he will be a wild man; his hand [will be] against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.

1.     wild - פרא pere', wild ass

2.     hand - יד yad, hand a) literal hand b) strength or power (figurative)

3.     presence - פנים paniym, masculine noun,  face, in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of… from the root פנה panah, a verb meaning to turn

4.     Ishmael will be the firstborn who does not yet have any brethren, his future brother will of course be Isaac through which the covenet will pass.  This prophetic message summarizes the conflict that will arise between their offspring in future generations.

a.      Galatians 4:28-29 - Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.  But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him [that was born] after the Spirit, even so [it is] now. 

·        Genesis 21:9 - And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking.

·        Jasher 21:13-14 – And when Isaac was five years old he was sitting with Ishmael (who would have been 19) at the door of the tent.  And Ishmael came to Isaac  and seated himself opposite to him, and he took the bow and rew itand put the arrow in it, and intended to slay Isaac.

b.      Galatians 4:30 - Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.

·        Genesis 21:10 - Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, [even] with Isaac.

·        Jasher 21:15 – And Sarah saw the act which Ishmael desired to do to her son Isaac, and it grieved her exceedingly on account of her son, and she sent for Abraham, and said to him, Cast out this bondwoman and her son, for her son shall not be heir with my son, for thus did he seek to do unto this day.

c.      Genesis 21:20 – And God was with the lad; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer.

·        If Ishmael is representative of bondage of being born of the flesh, God shows that he remains faithful to us even while we are in the “wilderness”

o       Hebrews 13:5 – “…for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

o       Romans 5:8 - But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

M.     Genesis 16:13 – And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?

1.     “Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?” --- “Do I see here even after the vision?”

a.      Genesis 32:30 – And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.

b.      Judges 13:21-22 – But the angel of the LORD did no more appear to Manoah and to his wife. Then Manoah knew that he [was] an angel of the LORD.  And Manoah said unto his wife, We shall surely die, because we have seen God.

2.     Hagar refers to the angel as “Thou God” and the angel does not correct her

N.    Genesis 16:14 – Wherefore the well was called Beerlahairoi; behold, [it is] between Kadesh and Bered.

1.     באר לחי ראי Bĕ'er la-Chay Ro'iy - "well of the Living One seeing me"

O.    Genesis 16:15 – And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son's name, which Hagar bare, Ishmael.

1.     Note that the name was given to Hagar, yet Abram is the one who named the boy.  Either:

a.      Hagar told Abram of her encounter with the Angel of the Lord and Abram submitted

b.      Abram was providentially given the name Ishmael

2.     Galatians 3:21 – [Is] the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.

P.      Genesis 16:16 – And Abram [was] fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram.

1.     So Abram had been in the land of Canaan 11 years when Ishmael was born, remember the number 11 signifies rebellion or disorder

2.     We know Isaac was born when Abraham was 100 so Ishmael would have been 14 at his birth

3.     Sarai would have been 76 years old at Ishmaels birth

I.                Repetition of the Covenant with Abraham (Genesis 17:1-14)

A.    Genesis 17:1 – And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I [am] the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

1.     Walk before me…be thou perfect

a.      This appears to be a cause and effect relationship walk is a verb, God’s presence a noun and perfect is an adjective describing the state of Abram in obedience to this command.  The same can be said for us today when we walk by the Spirit we are perfect yet out of the Spirit we are fallen.  This is confirmed in Romans Chapter 8.

b.      Romans 8:1-6 - [There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.  For to be carnally minded [is] death; but to be spiritually minded [is] life and peace.

2.     Genesis 12:1 – The Lord said unto Abram…

3.     Genesis 13:14 – And the Lord said to Abram…

4.     Genesis 15:1 – After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram…

5.     Genesis 15:18 – In the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram…

6.     I am the Almighty God – שדי אל 'el Shadday, - almighty, most powerful god, god-like one, mighty one

a.      Something different

b.      II Corinthians 6:18 - And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

·        The Lord - κύριος kyrios, masculine noun,  he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, lord

·        Almighty - παντοκράτωρ pantokratōr, masculine noun, he who holds sway over all things

c.      Genesis 28:3 - And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people;

·        Isaac speaking to Jacob invokes the name that God reveals from this verse

·        Used when invoking the Lord’s blessings

B.     Genesis 17:2 – And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.

1.     1^st  of Seven “I will”

2.     This covenant seemed to have already been established in 15:18, this phrase “I will make my covenant” can be phrased as to “put into force” or “to execute”.  The time has now come to execute the covenant that was established in 15:18

3.     This is at least 14 years (and probably a few years more) since the covenant was established in 15:18, and 25 years since leaving Haran, so this also may serve as a refresher for Abram

C.    Genesis 17:3 – And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,

1.     Compare: Mary in John 11:32 - Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

2.     Contrast: Martha in John 11:20-21 - Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat [still] in the house. Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

3.     God – Elohim, why is this name used here? Elohim is typically associated with the office of Creator.  In this chapter He creates:

a.      New Names in vv. 5 and vv. 15

b.      A New sign of the Covenant in vv. 9-14

c.      3 different names for God in this chapter

D.    Genesis 17:4 – As for me, behold, my covenant [is] with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.

1.     Abram will become the father of many nations, but the covenant is through Isaac

2.     Romans 4:13-14 – For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.  For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect.

3.     This promise was given to Abraham before the law was given and before circumcision was given; therefore, this promise is established by God’s grace through faith alone. 

E.     Genesis 17:5 – Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.

1.     Abraham - אברהם 'Abraham, "father of a multitude" or "chief of multitude"

2.     Abram – Exalted father

3.     Changed from אברם to אברהם by adding ה

4.     Addition of the letter H in Abram’s name

5.     H is the 5^th letter, the number 5 is indicative of GRACE

a.      4+1 God adding to His creation

b.      5 is the leading factor in Tabernacle measurements

c.      Number of the books of the Pentateuch

d.      5^th Book of Bible Deuteronomy where God called, chose and blessed the children of Israel for His name’s sake

e.      5 smooth stones – God provided redemption to Israel through 5 smooth stones

f.       Leviticus 26:8 Five of you shall chase a thousand…

6.     H also represents breath, impartation of the breath of God

7.     The breath of God is representative of the Holy Spirit, whereas God breathed the Holy Spirit into Abram

8.     The end result of our faith is grace refer back to vv. 1, El Shaddai, God revealed himself for the first time as the God who is “able to supply all of our needs”