Genesis 17 -- Three New Names

My commentary says three new names were revealed in this chapter:  Abraham – father of a multitude; Sarah – a Hebrew name for princess; and El Shaddai – “The all-powerful and all-sufficient God who can do anything and meet any need.”

“God seems to have been silent for 13 years.  God now says “I will” twelve times in this chapter; He is about to do the miraculous.  After Abraham’s battle with the four kings, God came to him as a warrior and told him He was his shield.  When Abraham wondered about his refusal of Sodom’s wealth, God told him He was his exceedingly great reward.  Now when Abraham and Sarah are as good as dead, God assured them that He was more than sufficient to bring about the miracle birth.  God comes to us in the ways we need Him most.”

This revelation of God to Abraham brought a responsibility on Abraham’s part.  “Abraham was to walk before God, that is, live in the knowledge that the eyes of God were always upon him – single-hearted, without blame, sincere, and wholly devoted to the Lord.”

Abraham would have been content and to settle for Ishmael being the promised son, but God wouldn’t.  Isaac was to be the son of promise.  And my commentary says, “When God is preparing a bright future for you, don’t cling to things of the past.  Ishmael represented the past.  Isaac, the future.  Ishmael symbolized man’s fleshly was of accomplishing something for God, but Isaac was a miracle baby, born by the power of God.  Ishmael brought dissension into the home, but Isaac brought laughter.  If you have an Ishmael in your life, yield it up to God.  God has a perfect plan, and what He plans is the best.  It may pain you to give up your cherished dreams, but God’s way is always the right way … The old nature can be disciplined, subdued, and even to some extent controlled, but it cannot be changed.  Until we receive our glorified bodies in the presence of the Lord, the struggle between the flesh and the Spirit will continue.”

Father, show me my Ishmael, and help me to give it up.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford