![]() ![]() ![]() God foretold the exodus from Egypt, and after this, a flaming torch and smoking oven appeared. So “to make” a covenant, could also be said “to cut” a covenant.Ībram then fell into a deep sleep and a deep darkness descended. The Hebrew word karat, which means to make a covenant, also means to cut. All of these were cut in two and each half was laid opposite of each other, except for the birds. This involved the sacrifice of a three-year-old cow, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a pigeon. To reassure Abram that He would keep His word to him, God made a covenant. The Lord then reassured Abram that he would possess the land. Abram then believed and it was credited to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6). And, that his descendants would outnumber the stars in the night sky (Genesis 15:4-5). The Lord reassured Abram that he would have an heir that comes from his own body. At the time, his heir was a man named Eliezer of Damascus. Abram wasn’t sure, since he did not have any children yet, and wondered how this promise and the previous promises would come about. One day, the Lord appeared to Abram in a vision, promising, “Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you your reward will be very great” (Genesis 15:1). Instead, it belongs to the future nation of Israel and even the world-at-large.” Cutting the Covenant with Abraham ![]() Sarah, therefore, signifies that her strength does not belong exclusively to her immediate family. Lizorkin-Eyzenberg notes, “It is likely that Sarai is simply the possessive form of Sarah (i.e. Sarai and Sarah are two forms of the same name which mean “princess/woman of strength”. Abraham (Avraham) makes sense in the context of Genesis 17:5 “Because I give you as a father of a multitude of nations.” Jim Stowe note that the one shift in letter in both Abraham and Sarah’s new names, effected this change.Ībram, (Avram) consists of two words, Av and Ram and means “exalted father”. ![]() God promises that she will produce an heir, be the mother of many nations, and that kings would come from her line. Genesis 17 also sees the changing of Sarai’s name, to Sarah (Genesis 17:15). No longer will you be called Abram your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.” (Genesis 17:3-5) “I am God Almighty walk before me faithfully and be blameless.Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.” At this, Abram fell face down, and God said to him, “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. Abram was still waiting for God to provide an heir to them, and in Genesis 17 the Lord appeared to Abram again, saying, All the while, Abram and Sarai did not have any children born to them yet. They were meant to go somewhere completely unknown to them. However, he was different from the rest of his family, so God called him to separate himself and go to the land which God would show him.Ībram and his wife Sarai were called out of Haran, where they had lived and prospered. When we first meet Abram, he was was a pagan like everyone else. Today, scholars locate the approximate location to be 200 miles southeast of Baghdad (Britannica). I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Abram or Abraham – who was he?Ībraham, formerly known as Abram, was the first Hebrew Patriarch who came from Ur of the Chaldeans. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. “Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. The famed Abrahamic covenant comes from Genesis 12:1-3. God’s promise to Abraham models His heart towards humanity. God’s enduring covenant with Abraham should be a comfort to the Church. ![]()
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