Jun. 10, 2020

GENESIS

“NAMES ARE IMPORTANT”

GENESIS 17:1-27

In chapter 17, we will discover four names that will never change:

1. God Almighty- Genesis 17:1-2

The Hebrew name is “El Shaddai”, and this is the first time it appears in Scripture. “Shaddai” is translated as Almighty forty- eight times in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, the Greek equivalent is used in 2 Corinthians 6:18 and Revelation 1:8, 4:8, 11:17, 15:3, 16:7,14, 19:6,15, 21:22. It is translated “Almighty” except in Rev. 19:6 (“Omnipotent”).

“El Shaddai” is the name of “the all- powerful and all-sufficient God who can do anything and meet any need.”

But why would God reveal this name to Abraham at this time, at the close of thirteen years of silence?

God always comes to us in ways we need Him most.

Responsibility:

As God reveals things to us, then we have a responsibility to carry those things out.

*Enoch and Noah walked with God- Gen. 5:22, 6:8-9

Hebrew 4:13 “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”

1 Kings 8:46 “When they sin against You (for there is no one who does not sin), and You become angry with them and deliver them to the enemy, and they take them captive to the land of the enemy, far or near;”

Exodus 12:5 “Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats.”

Relationship:

The phrase “My covenant” vs.2, is used nine times in this chapter and defines God’s relationship with Abraham.

2. Abraham- Genesis 17:3-14, 23-27

“Abram” means “exalted father”; “Abraham” means “father of a multitude.”

*The Possession: The Land

*The Circumcision: The Sign

In vs.4, God says, “As for Me”, but in vs.9, He says, “As for you.”

Circumcision stood for a reminder of a special relationship with God. God wants us to “circumcise our hearts” and be totally devoted to Him in love and obedience (Deut. 10:16, 30:6, Jer. 4:4, Rom. 2:28-29).

Circumcision was not the means of Abraham’s salvation but the mark of his separation as a man in a covenant relationship with God.

Abraham immediately obeyed God and gave every male in his household the mark of the covenant.

3. Sarah- Genesis 17:15-17

The third new name was “Sarah” which means “princess.” (We are not certain what “Saria” means. Some say “to mock” or “to be contentious.”

Hebrews 11:11 “By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.”

4. Isaac- Genesis 17:18-22

The first baby in the Bible who was named before birth was Ismael (16:11), and the second was Isaac. As we shall see when we get to Genesis 21, these two boys represent two different births; Ismael, our first birth after the flesh, and Isaac, our second birth through the Spirit. John 3:1-8, Galatians 4:21-31, esp. 28-29

It was the beginning of a new day for Abraham and Sarah, for Sarah was going to have a baby boy!

John 8:56 “Your father Abrahamrejoiced to see My day,and he saw it and was glad.”