Scripture to Read: Genesis 17:1-14
As we begin today, we open with Genesis 17. If we’re not careful, we miss the fact that we have just fast-forwarded thirteen years between the end of Genesis 16 and the opening of Genesis 17. So, as far as we know, our Lord was silent with Abram for thirteen years. Then God appears to Abram and reminds him in Genesis 17:1-8 of the covenant He made with him. God also gives Abram (Abram means father of many) a new name, Abraham (Abraham means father of many nations). God’s establishment of His covenant with Abraham, along with Abraham’s offspring, comes with a sign. We read in Genesis 17:9-14 that the sign of the covenant would be circumcision. God makes it clear that circumcision was to be performed on every male, both in Abraham’s bloodline and the servants in his house, for all of them to be “set apart.” Those who were not circumcised were to be cut off from the people of God because they chose to break God’s covenant. God eventually established an everlasting covenant with the entire human race through our Lord Jesus Christ. God no longer calls all males to be circumcised in the flesh, but God calls everyone to have their hearts circumcised. We must have the “old man” (Romans 6:6; Ephesians 4:22; Colossians 3:9) cut away, so we are made brand new in Christ. As believers, since our “old self,” “old man,” has been crucified with Christ (cut way completely), we can walk in obedience to our Lord daily.
Challenge & Application
What did God teach you today about His covenant with Abraham and His ultimate covenant with the entire human race?
How are you choosing to walk in obedience to our Lord knowing your “old self” has been crucified (cut away) with Christ?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!