Genesis 17-18:15 “Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac” I talk fast but this is more material than 1 hour can truly dignify, we shall try!

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. Perfect? 6:9 (Noah) next slide

Genesis 6:9 These [are] the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man [and] perfect in his generations, [and] Noah walked with God. Good company!

Genesis 17:2 And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly. Cov between me and thee – 5 times in this chapter! V. 4,7,10-11 # of grace (actual theme of this chapter) This is also God’s 5th appearance with promise to Abe! Biggie (say now to prove theme) – at v. 5, God adds a fifth consonant (no vowels in original Hebrew), the fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet to his name! There’s more but I want to save it 

Genesis 17:3-4 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying, As for me, behold, my covenant [is] with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. v. 3, reverence and gratitude! Keep this response in mind as we read v. 4, RSV and margin, “a multitude of nations”. Nations is actually the singular word for Goyim or gentiles!

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. H, we mentioned part of this already but we will add another couple bits here: Many (rsv) multitude, made past tense! Verse 6 tells how it WILL be done but it is already as good as done in God’s eyes! Remember the “handshake” from yesterday? H is the dominant consonant of YHWH This is also to fulfill the covenant of Genesis 15. Remember how many animals? 5

Genesis 17:6-8 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. 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. 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. Lion of the tribe of Judah, cp to David v. 7, Unconditional and never ending! v. 8, Margin (Heb) “the land of thy sojournings” Heb 11:13 ‘These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of [them], and embraced [them], and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.’

Genesis 17:9-10 And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations. 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. Circ = to cut off or destroy – Psm 118:10-12 next slide

Psalm 118:10-12 All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them. They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them. They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them. Same word Circ is cutting off of the flesh for divine purpose and typifies a life beyond the millennium (Gen 17:12, 8th day cp to Gen 1 and 2). Also used “of the heart” in Duet 10:16, Jer 4:4, and Rom 2:29 (no slides)

Genesis 17:11-12 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you. 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. Token – same word as mark (of Cain 4:15) and token (of bow 9:17) v. 12 8th day

Genesis 17:13-14 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. 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. Must needs be is actually the same word (circ) used twice! Cp Gen 2:17

Genesis 2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. Dying thou shalt die or in cutting off the flesh thou shalt cut off the flesh. Cp baptism

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]. Margin – princess SRY to SRH, Abe’s body was circ, but her name was circ to make room for the dominant letter of YHWH’s grace! the “H”

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. Abe did not see this before but the truth was that they were together in promise all along! She- margin, heb - She shall become nations

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? Not the laughter of doubt (cp to Sarah in 18:12 later) but of realization (previous slide) After at least 25 years of marriage, Abe calls her (in his heart no less) by a name she was only given a couple verses ago! To him (like God earlier) it has already happened! What a way to truly honor his wife (see 1 Pet 3:6-7) next slide

1 Peter 3:6-7 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with [them] according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. Heirs together of what...GRACE! Abe and Sarai are the model for this section (v. 1-7) Note that in the Gen account the only time she called him “lord” was internally! (previous slide) What an amazing contrast to women’s liberation. Head covering or a helmet? In a couple chapters we will see Sarah shine again but this is not her time.

Genesis 17:18-19 And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee! 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. Not a pleading to accept Ishmael but to protect him, perhaps as he did for Lot (for example) Rep natural Israel (Gal 4) and will be fulfilled in Mic 4:8 ‘And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem.’ v. 19, I = laughter like in John 8:56 “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw [it], and was glad.” no slide Thou shalt call, father given name, opposite of 16:11 (Hagar)

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. Type, now we will look at Galations (next slide) skip if running late

Galatians 4:22-24 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. 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. Next slide cont

Galatians 4:25-27 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. 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. cont

Galatians 4:28-31 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. 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. So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

Genesis 17:21-22 But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year. And he left off talking with him, and God went up from Abraham. v. 21, 3 month delay. Note from chapter12 to 17 is 24 years; from 18-21is less than three months! It is possible the delay was due to the circumcision of v. 23? v. 22, God, elohim

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. Before Sarah gets pregnant (v.22). Abe and Sarah indeed will conceive in faith as this activity makes the promise even more difficult from am human standpoint. Notice no delay in reacting to obey God.

Genesis 17:24-6 And Abraham [was] ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. And Ishmael his son [was] thirteen years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. In the selfsame day was Abraham circumcised, and Ishmael his son. Abe 99 Ishmael 13 (still the Arab custom)

Genesis 17:27-18:1 And all the men of his house, born in the house, and bought with money of the stranger, were circumcised with him. And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; Abe’s household (14:14, brethren) V 18:1, Chapter 17, fatherhood of the seed, chap 18 is to identify the motherhood Lord, v. 2 represented by three angels Plains (margin) Gen 13:18 next slide

Genesis 13:18 Then Abram removed [his] tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which [is] in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the LORD. Then – no delay! This was right after to promised land was identified (NSEW) 18:1 heat of the day 2 Same. 4:5 next slide

2 Samuel 4:5 And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went, and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ishbosheth, who lay on a bed at noon. Also time of prayer (Psalm 55:17) next slide

Psalm 55:17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

Genesis 18:2 And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw [them], he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground, Perhaps from prayer? Angels next stop? Sodom (no slide v. 22 and 19:1) This visit is on the way and done for Sarah! Ran – haste to serve personally Bowed – humble service at that (next slide)

Genesis 18:3-4 And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant: Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree: v. 3, Adonai – lords (plural) from v. 2 v. 4, he had 6 feet to wash! (next slide)

Genesis 18:5 And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said. Morsel – modest, this was a feast! See v. 6-8 (in a minute) generosity & humble service – not an elaborate parade of pride Comfort – strengthen Are (margin) Heb. You have passed Acceptance for Abe, not themselves.

Genesis 18:6-7 And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead [it], and make cakes upon the hearth. And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good, and gave [it] unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it. They worked together! He did not bark out orders and relax – he exhorted to haste as he did. Make ready (margin – hasten) v. 7, Ran – sense of urgency Abe’s hospitality was an acceptable “sacrifice” unknowingly (tender and good, the best & hasted again) cp to Matt 25 (next slide) Why not charge his household servants (of which there were plenty 14:14)? For the purpose of honoring the visitors; not merely sustaining them! Who is the head of the household? He should be the greatest servant! Potlucks – hospitality is a sign of unity in the household. Also, Abe has learned the lesson of Chapter 17 – they were in this together. (cp to Lot Chap 19 or Mary, Martha and Lazurus at Jn 12:2 no slides)

Matthew 25 Read/paraphrase v. 31-46 Huge exhortation!

Genesis 18:8 And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set [it] before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat. “sacrifice” concept continues Note “he stood” picked up in the law and cp to JC

Genesis 18:9-10 And they said unto him, Where [is] Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent. And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard [it] in the tent door, which [was] behind him. 1st sign that these messengers are special – they know her NEW name! Note: wife (keep in mind for the coming chapters) v.10 – time of life (17:21). In a couple chapters we will spend plenty of time in Hebrews 11 but you may want to check out v.11 to prepare yourself for it 

Genesis 18:11 Now Abraham and Sarah [were] old [and] well stricken in age; [and] it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. 17:17 tells us he’s 100 and she’s 90 Remember Elizabeth from Monday?

Luke 1:5-7 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife [was] of the daughters of Aaron, and her name [was] Elisabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were [now] well stricken in years. Zacharias – Yah hath remembered Elizabeth – power of his oath Son – John (grace of Yah) Next slide!

John 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. Special shadows

Genesis 18:12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? Abe for joy, Sarah for disbelief (recall 16:2 Hagar) She knew the solution was beyond her – now she needed to learn that it was not beyond God! This is the only time she calls him “lord” as we saw in 1 Pet 3 already

Genesis 18:13-14 And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old? 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. v. 12 was internal but the angels knew it! v. 14, The most pointed question in scripture!

Genesis 18:15 Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh. Natural response, in herself there was no evidence. We struggle to accept our own error. Here is her opportunity to grow. Tomorrow we will see that she did learn it in the end after all.

Questions?