Bible Study Online Article

In the last couple of articles, we learned that Abram and Sarai had agreed to a plan, that was designed -- to allow them, to finally have a child that they could call their own.

Remember that this plan had came about, because Sarai would be found to be barren, and with her heading into the final phase of her life -- she begins to panic.

So Sarai concocted this plan, that Abram would eventually decide to go along with, in the hopes -- that she would finally be able to build a family of her own, through her Egyptian maidservant Hagar.

But as we would later learn, Sarai and Abram's plan, would prove to be a huge mistake on both of their parts. Know that their mistake would be made clear, after Hagar was found to be with child.

For what Abram and Sarai didn't know, is that Hagar, had plans of her own? For the Sacred Record would reveal that Hagar would begin to taunt and tease Sarai, after she had learned that she was pregnant. And the reason why Hagar's attitude towards Sarai, would change so drastically, for the worse -- dealt with Hagar feeling like she now held the upper hand over Sarai. For Hagar felt, that since she was able to bear Abram a child, and Sarai could not -- she saw herself as to being, more qualified to be Abram's wife.

However, Sarai wouldn't take this type of negative treatment from Hagar sitting down? For we would find, that Sarai would hit back at Hagar, by treating her worse -- than she had been treated. And now that the situation, has tilted back in Sarai's favor, the Sacred Record would reveal, that Hagar would end up leaving Abram's household. But Hagar would eventually return, after she'd received a visit from an angel of the Lord, while she rested at a water spring -- in the wilderness of Shur.

However that may have been, we would then fast-forward a bit from within our journey, to about thirteen years. And it's at this point, that one could consider the notion -- that Abram had fallen out of favor with the Lord, for the past 13 years, since he hadn't heard from the Almighty -- during this period of time. I know that I couldn't help, but to wonder, if God's silence -- had any thing to do with the part that Abram played, when it came to this whole ordeal, between Sarai and Hagar?

However, on the other hand, after this 13 year span -- it would seem, as if Abram had gained favor with the Lord, once again? For we find, that the Lord would give Abram a name change from his current name which meant: high father -- to Abraham, which signifies: the father of many nations:

"When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, 'I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.' Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying: 'As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations.'" -- Genesis 17:1-5

But know that God wasn't finish with Abraham:

"And God said to Abraham: 'As for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations. This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male child among you shall be circumcised; and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you.

'He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised, every male child in your generations, he who is born in your house or bought with money from any foreigner who is not your descendant. He who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money must be circumcised, and My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. And the uncircumcised male child, who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.'" -- (Genesis 17:9-14)

Now keep in mind, that we now find God instituting a covenant with Abraham and his seed what is known -- as the "Covenant of Circumcision". Now when it comes to this covenant, know that it basically deals with being some type of a sign, seal or agreement -- that would be based on the requirements, that God wanted Abraham, and the future generations that had came from him -- to follow.

Let's take a quick look at what those requirements were:

1. "Every male rather child or adult shall be circumcised."

   Know that his would be a seal, sign or some type of condition, that God would require Abraham and the generations that had came after him to practice and keep.

2. Also know that the flesh of the foreskin, would become part of a bloody ordinance, that would also serve as some type of token -- or offering, towards the Covenant of Circumcision.
3. As for the male babies, God wanted them to be circumcised on the eighth day after, they were born and not before. For they felt like this would've given the male babies, time to gather enough strength, in the hopes of being able to -- help the babies, to better endure the pain, that was normally associated with the bloody procedure.
4. Also know that God would then issue a strict warning, when it came to any male, that did not follow the the requirements of the "Covenant of Circumcision" that was now placed before them. For you must know, that if the male didn't obey the covenant, God would've cut him off, from the fellowship -- of his people. And if this were to happen, know that they would've been also cut off, from the the promises and privileges -- that were part of the covenant that God had made with Abraham.

Now after God had instituted the "Covenant of Circumcision" with Abraham and his seed, know that He would now turn his attention towards Abraham's wife, Sarai: "As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of people will come from her." -- Genesis 17:15,16

Now after hearing that his wife Sarai (whose name meant: my lady) would now be called, Sarah, in which the name means: (princess of a multitude) -- we find that Abraham had fell facedown, and began to laugh: "Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety? If only Ishmael might live under your blessing." Abraham would think to himself.

And although Abraham would have doubts about what the Lord had just said, he would end up keeping those thoughts, to himself. But in spite of this, God would still hear Abraham's thoughts, so He reassured him of something, as He departed from him:

"Then God said: 'No, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his descendants after him. And as for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall beget twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this set time next year.'" -- Genesis 17:19-21

And after hearing the message that God had told to him, Abraham took his son Ishmael, and every male that was born in his household. He also took every male that he had purchased, and he had them all circumcised -- just like the Lord had instructed him to do. Now keep in mind, that Abraham was 99 years old when he was circumcised, and his son Ishmael -- was 13 years of age, when he was circumcised. Also know that Abraham and Ishmael would end up being circumcised on the same day.

Now that God has given Sarai a new name, in which He changed it to Sarah, just like He'd did for her husband Abram -- for his name, is now Abraham. We begin to move forward. And it's at this time, that we learn, that God wasn't finished when it came to the God-fearing couple? For we find God speaking, what would seem, like an unbelievable blessing -- so much so, Sarah herself, didn't believe what God had just said.

God Creates the Earth

The Sons of God - The Daughters of Men

The Introduction of Abraham

**YOUR CURRENT - BIBLE STUDY ONLINE SERIES - WOULD BE HERE**

The Birth of Isaac

The Birth of Esau & Jacob

Jacob - The Path of Uncertainty

Jacob - Wrestles with God

Joseph the Favorite Son

Joseph the Overseer of Egypt

The Unveiling of Joseph

10) Abraham the Father of a Multitude

Added to page 10) The Abrahamic Covenant and its Modification

11) <-CURRENT - BIBLE STUDY ONLINE - PAGE->

12) Sarah Laughs & Doubts God

13) Abraham Bargains for Sodom

14) Sodom and Gomorrah Destroyed

15) The Judgment of Lot's Wife

16) The Daughters of Lot

17) Abimelech Angry with Abraham

18) The Birth of Isaac