Coachlight Bible Study – Genesis Lesson XXIX – Chapters 16-17
Testing of the Covenant – Circumcision
of the Heart
Matthew
24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same
shall be saved.
Romans 4:11 And he
received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith
which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them
that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be
imputed unto them also:
Genesis
15:7 And he said unto him, I am the LORD that brought
thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this
land to inherit it.
Genesis
15:8 And he said, Lord GOD, whereby shall I know that
I shall inherit it?
Genesis
15:9 And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat
of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young
pigeon.
Genesis
15:10 And he took unto him all these, and divided them
in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he
not.
Genesis
15:11 And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away.
Genesis
15:12 And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep
fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.
Genesis
15:13 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a
stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall
afflict them four hundred years;
Genesis
15:14 And also that nation, whom they shall serve,
will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.
Genesis
Genesis
Genesis
15:17 And it came to pass, that, when the sun went
down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed
between those pieces. {a burning…: Heb. a lamp of
fire}
Genesis
15:18 In the same day the LORD made a
covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the
river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:
Genesis
Genesis
Genesis
I. The Confirmation Of The Covenant– (Genesis 15:7-21) – In response to Abraham’s faith
(verse 6), God entered into a covenant with him, assuring him while revealing
still more of the meaning of the divine promises concerning him and his seed.
A. The Foundation Of The Covenant
– (verse 7) –
The basis of the covenant was God’s character and revelation to Abraham. On
this foundation everything else rested.
1. How was it introduced? – By the announcement of the divine name: “I
am Jehovah.” – This is the all of
all. God’s unchanging presence and character.
2. Then came the reminder of what God had already done for Abraham
– “That
brought thee out of
3. Then came the renewal of the divine purpose. “To give this land, to inherit it.” God again reminds Abraham of His divine purpose.
B. The Desire For The Covenant – (verse 8) – Abraham met this new assurance of
God with an earnest desire for a
proof.
1. Abraham sought for knowledge and assurance. “Whereby shall I know?” He
desired an outward guarantee.
2. But his attitude was one of belief.
a. Because he believed, he had a desire for confirmation.
b. He believed God’s Word, but wondered how and when it
could be fulfilled.
c. To illustrate this, we can go to the New Testament and
see two accounts of revelation, both with almost the same words, but a contrast
in faith.
1. First of all, let’s go to the account of Zacharias, as the angel was revealed to Zacharias
that his wife, Elizabeth would have a child:
Luke
2. Notice the words are almost
identical to the words of Abraham. Now, let’s look at the account of the virgin
Mary.
Luke 1:34 “Then
said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?”
3. Now let’s notice the
attitudes behind these similar words:
a. Mary: “Be it unto me according to Thy Word.” (Luke 1:38)
b. Zacharias: “And behold, thou shalt be dumb,
and not able to speak…
because thou believest not My Words… “ (Luke 1:20)
c. Abraham: “And He counted it to him for righteousness.” (Genesis
15:6)
C. The Preparation Of The Blood Covenant – (verses. 9&10) – God gave instructions, “Take for Me an heifer…” Abraham then proceeded with the requirements of a covenant. “Took… divided.” – (Leviticus 1:6). Having divided the animals, he places the pieces opposite each other, and one bird opposite to the other, leaving a pathway between them.
1. This was the customary
form of agreement or contract. Two parties
walking in procession, signifying their agreement. (Jeremiah
34:18).
2. Underlying idea –
covenant by means of sacrifice.
3. The blood covenant
was a well known method in Abraham’s time
for
making an agreement.
D. The Endurance Of The Covenant – (verses 11&12) - Faithfulness – Abraham performed the Word. (The Mindset to receive from God).
1. Kept watch.
2. Kept
away the birds of prey.
E. The Message Of The Covenant – (verses13-16) – A revelation of four parts
now is given to Abraham telling him of events to come – things
his seed will experience.
1. His seed to
experience persecution – (verse 13) –
Three elements in this
was: 1. Exile, 2. Bondage, 3. Affliction. Remember Abraham is
a type of
the consecrated believer.
2. His seed to witness
great power. God was going to show all of those in
3. Abraham himself is to
experience great peace – (verse 15).
Romans 5:1 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…”
4. He is called to
exercise patience. (verse 16).
Romans 8:24, 25 “For we are saved by hope: but hope that is
seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he
yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with
patience wait for it.”
will comes the divine assurance in the form of a covenant.
1. Symbolic actions –
(verse 17) –
a. A cylindrical firepot and a fiery torch to symbolize the
presence of God. (Exodus 19). (
b. The symbol of God passing between the animals
ratifying the covenant.
2. Divine Assurance. (verse 18-20) – God now
reveals the precise limits of the land promised to Abraham.
a. It seems pretty clear that
the two rivers referred to are a wadi in West Israel,
and the Euphrates, thus giving boundaries to the Holy Land that have never yet
been realized.
b.
God’s promises still await their fulfillment will be realized during the Millennium
II. Justification
by Faith or Works - Justification is an
important concept in God’s plan.
Questions that can come up are, “How am I justified?”; “When am I
justified?”; “Who does the justifying?”; or “What do I
have to do to be justified?”
To be justified means: to stand before God in a state of
righteousness. Just before the
Reformation, Martin Luther struggled with these questions, and finally broke
away from the Catholic Church
1. Martin Luther before he left the Roman Catholic church,
was a dedicated servant of the Roman Catholic Church and was taught
Justification by works - but had no
peace
a. Did many hours of pentence so
God would forgive him of his sins
b. Was so afraid to take communion
because he thought he was not worth - many hours in confession:
2. He was saved by
reading Paul's Epistles - Didn't understand James Epistle
Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ:
3. His confusion
a. Romans 3:28 - Paul's declaration of Justification
Romans 3:28 Therefore we conclude
that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
b. James 2:24 - James declaration of Justification
James
c. Both Scriptures
use the same Greek word for justified - 1344 dikaiow dikaioo
dik-ah-yo’-o
d. Seemingly the
same context
1. Romans 4:3 -
Abraham being Justified
Romans 4:3 For
what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
2. James 2:21 -
Abraham being Justified
James 2:21 Was not Abraham our
father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
e. Does the Bible
contradict itself?
1. When does Paul
say Abraham was justified?
Romans 4:2 For
if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof
to glory; but not before God.
Romans 4:3 For
what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Abraham was justified when he believed
2. When does James
say Abraham was justified?
James 2:21 Was
not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son
upon the altar?
Abraham was justified when he offered
Isaac upon the altar
f. A lesson in
interpretation.
1. While at first is looks like the context of the passage
in Romans and the context of the passage in James are the same,
2. And using the same word for “justified”,
3. But, they are different concerning when Abraham
was justified.
4. The word dikaiow has two meanings
a. To be declared righteous
b. To show one to be righteous
5. We need the context to determine the meaning in each
passage
g. Faith without
Works is Dead
1. James 2:14-24
2. Romans 3:23- 5:2
h. Abraham's Works
Sealed or Vindicated his Justification – Romans 4:16-5:2
i. Important Exhortations about
Justification in Paul's Epistle to the Galatians
1. If we are of faith, we have the same promise
as children of Abraham -
Galatians 3:6-9
2. Admonishes to Stand fast in your liberty- Galatians 5:1-6
j. Definition of
Justification – Two meanings, we have to look at the context to know author’s
intension for the meaning of the word used.
1344 dikaiow dikaioo dik-ah-yo’-o - from 1342;
TDNT-2:211,168; v
AV-justify
37, be freed 1, be righteous 1, justifier 1; 40
1) to render righteous or such he
ought to be
2) to show, exhibit, evince, one
to be righteous, such as he is and wishes himself to be considered
3) to declare, pronounce, one to
be just, righteous, or such as he ought to be
Genesis 16:1 Now Sarai Abram’s wife bare him no children: and she had an
handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.
Genesis 16:2 And
Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath
restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I
may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.
Genesis 16:3 And Sarai Abram’s wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after
Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband
Abram to be his wife.
Genesis 16:4 And
he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had
conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.
Genesis 16:5 And Sarai said unto
Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she
saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the LORD judge between
me and thee.
Genesis 16:6 But
Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thy
hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face.
Genesis 16:7 And the angel of the LORD found her by a
fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.
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.
Genesis 16:9 And
the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself
under her hands.
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.
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. {Ishmael: that is, God shall hear}
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.
Genesis
Genesis 16:14 Wherefore the well
was called Beerlahairoi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered. {Beerlahairoi: that is, The well of
him that liveth and seeth
me}
Genesis 16:15 And
Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son’s name, which Hagar bare,
Ishmael.
Genesis 16:16 And
Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram.
1. An idea to help God out – (vs. 1-3) – The idea came originally from Sarah.
The long wait was trying, but we
have to also consider that came yielded at
the first mention. Important facts:
a. It had not yet been
revealed that Sarah was to be the Mother of the
promised Seed.
b. Hagar, as bond slave, was her
mistress’s personal property. Any child
born to her would belong to her mistress, not to her.
c. There was evident faith in
Sarah’s suggestion. She believed God’s promise to Abraham.
d. This was a common practice in
Sarah’s time.
e. Even though Sarah’s motive
was good and genuine, and even involved
self-sacrifice, the proposal was wrong.
1. Wrong against God – Whose Word had been given, and Whose
time
had not yet come.
2. Wrong against Abraham – Leading him out of the path of waiting on
God’s perfect timing.
3. Wrong against Hagar – Did not recognize her rights or individuality in
the matter.
4. Wrong against Sarah
herself – robbing from her a high
privilege, as well
as leading to disobedience.
2. The Result – (vs. 4-6) – The outcome of Abraham’s action is soon seen in the effects:
a. Pride – Hagar’s insolence was natural, and even
though her reproach of her mistress was insolent, it was also inevitable.
b. Jealousy – Now Sarah blames Abraham, an unfair attitude, stating,
“My wrong be upon you.”
c. Misery – Abraham was powerless in this situation because Hagar
belonged to Sarah. Not being able to interfere, he had to say, “do as it pleases you.”
d. Injustice – This came upon Hagar, and Sarah “dealt with her hardly.”
Hagar was again a slave, but with treatment she had never experienced before.
B. The Intervention – (vs. 7-12) – Man is
seen miserable and suffering, by not waiting for God’s perfect timing - God
intervenes, with His grace.
1. “The angel found her” – God had not overlooked what had happened and now
intervenes in order to bring the best possible results after the error and sin
of His children.
2. Submission (vs. 8, 9) – The divine command was that she should return and submit herself. Sarah was still Hagar’s mistress. This submission was the first step toward blessing in her life.
3. It is the same today. If we
find ourselves in mistakes the way back is complete submission to the will
of God.
4. Assurance of a blessing – God always accompanies His call of submission with a promise. God
promises to bless Hagar’s seed.
C. The far reaching effects of a believer not
waiting on the Lord
1. Not waiting on God’s timing is the worst thing that can happen - It very often has wide spread effects. Islam is of course traced back to Abraham’s mistake.
2. This leaves us with two principles:
a. We must wait on God’s
timing. God’s will must
be realized in
God’s way. The union of faith and patience.
(Hebrews 6:12).
b. A close relationship with
God. - Discernment would have detected
the
danger in Sarah’s suggestion.
The protection against this type of error
1. Communication between God and
His servant.
2. Prayer and diligent - study
of the Word.
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: or, upright, or, sincere}
Genesis 17:2 And
I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee
exceedingly.
Genesis 17:3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,
Genesis 17:4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. {many…:
Heb. multitude of nations}
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. {Abraham: that is, Father of a
great multitude}
Genesis 17:6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make
nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.
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.
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
Genesis 17:9 And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt
keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations.
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.
Genesis
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. {he that is eight…: Heb. a son of eight days}
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.
Genesis
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. {Sarah: that is
Princess}
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. {she…: 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?
Genesis 17:18 And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before
thee!
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.
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.
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.
Genesis 17:22 And he left off talking with him, and God went up from
Abraham.
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.
Genesis 17:24 And Abraham was ninety years old and nine, when he was
circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
Genesis 17:25 And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old, when he was
circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
Genesis
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.
IV. The
Covenant Renewed – (Genesis 17) – Now, 13 years after the trouble with
Hagar, Abraham is 99 years old. These 13 years were undoubtedly spent in
waiting on the Lord. Now the Lord reveals Himself to Abraham again.
A. El Shaddai – “I am the Almighty God.” first mention – root “power and ability.”
1. New Responsibility – “Walk before Me and be thou perfect.” (Maybe a hint that Abraham was satisfied with Ishmael and no longer anxious about the seed of promise?)
2. Result – “Abraham fell on his face.”
3. Privilege – “God talked with him.”
4. Assurance – “My covenant is with thee.” God reminds Abraham of an
already existent covenant and then continues by adding some more of the up
coming events of this new covenant.
5. Promises of this new
revelation (vs. 4-8).
a. Abraham himself.
b. The land.
c. His seed.
6. Comparison of growth in
events.
a. chapter 13 – “As the dust of the earth.”
b. chapter 15 – “As the stars of heaven.”
c. chapter 17 – “Many nations.”
B. Requirements – (vs. 9-14) – Abraham is now told his part in the matter. Notice what he had to do was to obey God’s Word. This is another illustration that shows God’s covenant is one sided. God is the giver; man is the receiver, not the equal. There seems to be four ideas associated with the ordinance of circumcision:
1. Designation – as belonging
to God.
2. Separation – unto him.
3. Believing His Word
4. Possession by Him – (lead
by the Spirit.)
C. Sign of the covenant – circumcision – Abraham’s sign of obedience to God’s
Word. The church is also called obedience by the Abrahamic
Covenant because we are children of Abraham. The Apostle Paul tells us:
of Abraham.” (Galatians 3:7)
1. The
Apostle Paul also tells us concerning circumcision, and how the Gospel of Christ calls us to
circumcision. Speaking of Christ he writes:
Colossians
2:9-12. “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.”
2. The
Apostle Paul not only tells us that we are justified by faith just like Abraham,
but that Abraham was also preached the same gospel.
Galatians 3:8, 9 “And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the
heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying,
In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they
which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.”.
name is now changed.
1. Abram means “exalted
father,’ – whereas Abraham means “father of a
multitude.”
2. Sarah means “queen of
princes” or “mother of princes” and is the
feminine of Sar, whereas Sarai means, “princely.”
3. Now is the first time Sarah
is named as the Mother of the promised
seed. God’s promises
become more detailed as time goes on.
E. Abraham’s immediate response – (vs. 17,
18) – He receives the new revelation of God with reverence, and yet we can
detect a little trustful astonishment.
1. Appeal for Ishmael – Ishmael has grown to be a boy of 13 and naturally won a
spot in his father’s heart.
2. God told Abraham that Ishmael was not the promised seed.
3. God promised Abraham that Ishmael would become a great nation.
F. The
Obedience Of Abraham – When this period of
communication with God ended, Abraham acted in obedience in the circumcision of
Ishmael, all his house, and those bought with money.
G. Some New Testament Scripture Concerning Circumcision
Romans
Romans
Romans
Romans
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.
Romans
Romans
4:9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham
for righteousness.
Romans
Romans 4:11 And he
received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith
which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them
that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be
imputed unto them also:
Romans 4:12 And the
father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who
also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being
yet uncircumcised.
Galatians 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth
any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Galatians 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth
any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
Ephesians 2:11 Wherefore
remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in
the flesh made by hands;
Philippians 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the
spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
Colossians 2:11 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:
Colossians 3:11Where
there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision,
Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
Like Abraham,
we can respond to the covenant by desiring and believing God’s Word, weather it
makes sense or not. We believe it because
it was God Who said it
Like Abraham,
we seek God’s guidance for endurance through testing, believing Him through the
sanctifying stage, So that we are justified, and bear fruit of righteousness
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Eternal Covenants of God with |
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Abrahamic Covenant |
Expansion Covenants |
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Promise of A (Land) Genesis 12:1; 13:14-15 & 17 |
Palestinian Covenant – gave Deuteronomy 30:3-5; Ezekiel 20:33-37, 42-44 |
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Promise of Redemption – National and Universal – (Blessing) Genesis 12:3; |
New Covenant – Jeremiah 31:31-40; Hebrews 8:6-13 |
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Promise of Numerous Descendants – A Great Nation (Seed) Genesis 12:3; |
Davidic Covenant – Dynasty, Nation, Throne forever II Samuel 7:11, 13, 16 Jeremiah 33:20 & 21; 31:35-37 |
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Christ and the Gentiles
– Based not on birth but rather rebirth Galatians 3:6 Even as
Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him
for righteousness. {accounted: or, imputed} Galatians 3:7 Know ye
therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. Galatians 3:8 And the
scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith,
preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be
blessed. Galatians 3:9 So then
they which be of faith are blessed with faithful
Abraham. Galatians 3:29 And if ye be Christ’s, then
are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. |
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