Title [Genesis 17:1-8] God of Convincing
Ephesians 2:8 says, “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Faith is said to be a gift from God. Matthew 16:17 says, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.” Peter's confession of faith was not based on his personal wisdom or knowledge, but because of God's knowledge and belief. We know Abraham as the father of faith. But the important thing is that he too was a weak human being, and it was God who counseled him and gave him confidence. This chapter shows the providence and work of God in making Abraham a man of confidence. Now, I would like to introduce God who gives assurance and receive grace.
1. He said, “I am Almighty God” (1).
When we acknowledge God as Almighty, we can be confident. But we do not want to admit this fact. So was Abraham. He thought only of his old body, that of Sarai. Therefore, an artificial method was used. He came to Abraham like this and repeatedly emphasized, “I am Almighty God.” References to this Almighty God are also found in the next chapter (18:14) and also in Genesis 28:3, 35:11, Exod. 6:3. Even Moses, when he was tired and exhausted, confirmed that he was Almighty God so that he could fulfill his ministry (Numbers 11:23). God speaks to us who are weak and shaken. Let's become believers who go forth confidently by engraving God's word, "I am Almighty God" deeply in our hearts.
2. You have given me assurance in the name.
3. He established the circumcision system.
He said that circumcision is a sign of the covenant (17:11). As a sign of the covenant between God and Abraham, circumcision was made to be performed, and it has several meanings.
① It means to purify. Those who are in covenant relationship with God must be holy. He said, “Be holy because I am holy.”
② It means the ability to reproduce the race. It means that you will fulfill your promise to make your descendants prosperous.
③ It means participation in the community. Circumcision was practiced as a sign of membership in a community or church.
④ It means gender. Just as the people who were circumcised and those who were not circumcised, we can see that God consecrated holy people through circumcision. Circumcision is formally equivalent to circumcision, but spiritually it has the same meaning as baptism. It is like being completely sealed as God's people. It is also a sign of assurance that the covenant with God is trustworthy. God wants us, His people, to live with perfect faith. He convinced Abraham in many ways, but he is mobilizing various methods to be sure of God as well. I hope that all the saints will be convinced of all the covenants of God based on the written word and live.