TAKE THINGS SLOW
Opening Prayer
Generous God, throughout today I want to spread light and not shadows, grace and not pain, love and not apathy. Release Your enabling power in me.
Read Genesis 17:1–14
The Covenant of Circumcision
17 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty[a]; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. 2 Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.”
3 Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, 4 “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. 5 No longer will you be called Abram[b]; your name will be Abraham,[c] for I have made you a father of many nations. 6 I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. 7 I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. 8 The whole land of Canaan, where you now reside as a foreigner, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God.”
9 Then God said to Abraham, “As for you, you must keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you for the generations to come. 10 This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you. 12 For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner—those who are not your offspring. 13 Whether born in your household or bought with your money, they must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh is to be an everlasting covenant. 14 Any uncircumcised male, who has not been circumcised in the flesh, will be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.”
Footnotes
- Genesis 17:1 Hebrew El-Shaddai
- Genesis 17:5 Abram means exalted father.
- Genesis 17:5 Abraham probably means father of many.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Are you expecting microwavable solutions to your slow-cooker problems? Slow down today.There has been a 13-year gap between the end of the last chapter and the start of this one. Abram and Sarai have been waiting, without encouragement or result. All that happened during those years was daily life. Following God does not need to be a succession of spectacular events. It is more likely a succession of ordinary days filled with plain living while waiting for God’s purposes to be fulfilled.
God renews the covenant previously made to Abram that he will be the father of a nation (8), and gives him and Sarai new names (5,15). A special sign is put in place for the male children of the community – a reminder that with each succeeding generation, God remains faithful to His promise to be their God (8). Most Christians do not continue with this physical ritual for spiritual reasons, but some traditions celebrate continuity with it, through the baptism of their infant children as a sign of welcome into the covenant community. Slowly, over time, with each succeeding generation, God builds and blesses His people.
Apply
Do you find it difficult to wait for God? Use today’s reading as a slow-down space. Give your situation to God and give Him permission to work in His timing.
Closing prayer
Covenant Keeping God, when You spoke, Abram listened. I know I like to talk more than to listen. I ask You to help me develop listening ears when others speak, but above all when You speak to me.
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