Previous lesson:
the Lord appeared to him (Abraham) and said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’
“I (God Almighty) will confirm my covenant with you and your descendants ….”
- God is omnipotent.
- God is “The Overpowerer,” meaning He will do what He purposes to do, overpowering all opposition.
- God is “The All Sufficient One…” He doesn’t need our help!
- God is the Almighty One who supplies and satisfies our every need.
- God nourishes and supplies the needs of His people.
- God is more than sufficient to meet any need. He is power and provision.
- God would be sufficient for Abram’s every need.
Today’s lesson
God tells of His plans for Sarah, Isaac, and Ishmael.
The sovereignty of God: all things are under His control.
Genesis 17:15-27 (NLT)
15 Then God said to Abraham, “Regarding Sarai, your wife—her name will no longer be Sarai. From now on her name will be Sarah. 16 And I will bless her and give you a son from her! Yes, I will bless her richly, and she will become the mother of many nations. Kings of nations will be among her descendants.”
17 Then Abraham bowed down to the ground, but he laughed to himself in disbelief. “How could I become a father at the age of 100?” he thought. “And how can Sarah have a baby when she is ninety years old?” 18 So Abraham said to God, “May Ishmael live under your special blessing!”
19 But God replied, “No—Sarah, your wife, will give birth to a son for you. You will name him Isaac, and I will confirm my covenant with him and his descendants as an everlasting covenant. 20 As for Ishmael, I will bless him also, just as you have asked. I will make him extremely fruitful and multiply his descendants. He will become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. 21 But my covenant will be confirmed with Isaac, who will be born to you and Sarah about this time next year.” 22 When God had finished speaking, he left Abraham.
23 On that very day Abraham took his son, Ishmael, and every male in his household, including those born there and those he had bought. Then he circumcised them, cutting off their foreskins, just as God had told him. 24 Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised, 25 and Ishmael, his son, was thirteen. 26 Both Abraham and his son, Ishmael, were circumcised on that same day, 27 along with all the other men and boys of the household, whether they were born there or bought as servants. All were circumcised with him.
Examine the Scriptures
Genesis 17:15-27 (NLT)
Sarai Is Named Sarah
15 Then God said to Abraham, “Regarding Sarai, your wife—her name will no longer be Sarai. From now on her name will be Sarah.
“my princess” changed to “princess”
Princess – one whose seed would produce kings.
16 And I will bless her and give you a son from her!
Genesis 21:2-3 (NLT)
2 She (Sarah) became pregnant, and she gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age. This happened at just the time God had said it would. 3 And Abraham named their son Isaac.
Yes, I will bless her richly, and she will become the mother of many nations. Kings of nations will be among her descendants.”
Sarah is blessed with a son.
Sarah is richly blessed by becoming the mother of many nations. Kings will be among her descendants.
Much like the promise made to Abraham.
Genesis 17:5 (NLT)
What’s more, I am changing your name. It will no longer be Abram. Instead, you will be called Abraham, for you will be the father of many nations.
17 Then Abraham bowed down to the ground, but he laughed to himself in disbelief.
Abraham laughed in disbelief.
Review: the Lord appeared to him (Abraham) and said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’
Abraham did not fully grasp what God was telling him. Isn’t this also true for us?
He (we) had a partial understanding of what God was saying.
- Abraham did not fully grasp all that God was telling him.
This all sounded incredible to Abraham. He had assumed that his descendants would come through Ishmael.
Abraham knew (believed) that he would be the father of many nations. This was the first mention that his barren, old wife was to be the mother.
“How could I become a father at the age of 100?” he thought. “And how can Sarah have a baby when she is ninety years old?”
Isaiah 46:9-11 (NLT)
9 Remember the things I have done in the past.
For I alone am God!
I am God, and there is none like me.
10 Only I can tell you the future
before it even happens.
Everything I plan will come to pass,
for I do whatever I wish.
11 I will call a swift bird of prey from the east—
a leader from a distant land to come and do my bidding.
I have said what I would do,
and I will do it.
- God does what He says He will do.
18 So Abraham said to God, “May Ishmael live under your special blessing!”
Abraham still saw Ishmael as special.
Abraham asked that Ishmael would receive the special blessing from God.
Still willing to help God with an alternate solution “to the problem”.
19 But God replied, “No—
- God often says “No” to His people.
Luke 22:42 (NLT)
“Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”
Sarah, your wife, will give birth to a son for you. You will name him Isaac, and I will confirm my covenant with him and his descendants as an everlasting covenant.
God’s plan
Isaac means “he laughs”
Isaiah 55:8 (NLT)
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
Ephesians 3:20 (NLT)
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
- God is able to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
Mark 10:27 (NLT)
Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.”
20 As for Ishmael, I will bless him also, just as you have asked. I will make him extremely fruitful and multiply his descendants. He will become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation.
God partially honors Abraham’s request in verse 18.
21 But my covenant will be confirmed with Isaac, who will be born to you and Sarah about this time next year.”
God’s covenant will continue through Isaac.
22 When God had finished speaking, he left Abraham.
23 On that very day
Obedience
Abraham took his son, Ishmael, and every male in his household, including those born there and those he had bought. Then he circumcised them, cutting off their foreskins, just as God had told him. 24 Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised, 25 and Ishmael, his son, was thirteen. 26 Both Abraham and his son, Ishmael, were circumcised on that same day, 27 along with all the other men and boys of the household, whether they were born there or bought as servants. All were circumcised with him.
Trust and obey
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.
Proverbs 16:20 (NLT)
20 Those who listen to instruction will prosper;
those who trust the Lord will be joyful.
- Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
