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Gen 17
The Potential of Faith

Intro- A naturalist once took a cocoon of an emperor moth & kept it in his study for months, hoping to witness its emergence in due time. The cocoon was flask-shaped with a narrow opening at the neck through which the moth would emerge. The great difference between the narrow opening and the size for the moth made the naturalist wonder how the insect would get out of its prison. At last the day came and all morning the man watched the struggles of the insect. It never seemed to get beyond a certain point. The struggle to emerge is what forces the fluids of the moth's body into the wings and makes it possible for it to fly. The naturalist did not know that & with his patience exhausted, he decided to help things along. With the pint of his scissors he carefully snipped the confining threads to make the exit just a little easier. At once the moth crawled out with perfect ease. But the naturalist watched in vain to see the gorgeous wings expand and fill, but they never did. His impatience and false kindness had ruined the moth. It never became anything but a stunted insect crawling painfully through the brief life it should have spent flying through the air on rainbow wings.

It is always a mistake to try to hasten the work of God.

God has His own reasons for His seeming delays. Abraham could not wait. As a result of his impatience there followed a solemn silence in which for 13 longs years of no further progress in the things of God. Years of no fruit. Years when nothing worthy of note happened in his life.

When God finally did speak, he wove the remaining threads into a covenant called the Abrahamic covenant.

1. Receiving the Covenant (1-16)
All was new; a new revelation from God, a new walk before God, new covenant with God and a new name from God.
A. With absolute subjection (1-3)
He stayed on his face throughout the whole revelation from God. Nothing was required of him, all was of grace.
He simply had to listen to the unconditional covenant being given to him by God.
B. With absolute silence (4-16)
God speaks every word here. Words were spoken to confirm rather than create.
It was a promise given by God.
1. The substance of the promise (4-8)
It involved a principle - God pledged Himself
It involved a people - Covenant is to benefit Abraham & Israel
It involved a period - eternal contract
It involved a place - the land was deeded to Isaac & his descendants

2. The seal of the promise (9-14)
The implications
It was a supporting sign for all generations
It was a spiritual symbol

The implementation
8th day - represents the resurrection
It was an expression of submissive faith rather than saving faith.
3. The spirit of the promise (15-16) - Changed name, changed situation
Failure amounted to contempt for the covenant
The uncircumcised became an alien to Israel & stranger to the covenants of promise.


2. Believing the Covenant (17-27)
A. The laughter of faith -17
Humorous laugh - medicine to the soul-God wants us to laugh, to be happy, to sing
Hideous laugh -form one who laughs at sin or other's misfortunes, mistake or misdeeds.
God describes this one as a fool.
B. The logic of faith 18-22
Faith says, "If God can bless me like that, He can bless other people too."
A Godly desire for Ishmael.
Ishmael's name was not changed. Scripture tells us that what is flesh remains flesh (Jn 3:6). Quote: Wiersbe-"The old nature can be disciplined, subdued, and even to some extent controlled; but it cannot be changed."
 From a human viewpoint we can understand Abraham's concern for Ishmael.
He was his son. But from a spiritual viewpoint, he could not replace Isaac or even be his equal.
Practical lesson: for all who live by faith, when God is preparing a bright future for you, don't cling to the things of the past.

Ishmael = past Isaac = future
Fleshly accomplishment for God Miracle by power of God
Brought dissension Brought joy & laughter
You may have an Ishmael in your life. You must 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.
God gave a promise based on His knowledge of the heart of Ishmael.
Reserve clause - The covenant is through Isaac
Royal clause - The promise of a great nation.

C. The life of faith 23-27
Obedience to the known will of God
God just revealed the need for circumcision.
Abraham at once set about putting that seal to the covenant.

1. A limitless obedience
Notice Abraham
1. Took his son-Ishmael was first.
2. Took his household
Illus. Huck Finn - The widow Douglas took him in. She introduced him to society. The servants kept him clean and groomed. He slept in a bed with clean bedding. He had to eat with a knife and fork, as well as use napkin, cup & plate. He had to learn math, reading & English. He had to go to church. He had to use proper speech. Wherever he turned the bars & shackles of civilization shut him in & bound him hand & foot. He endured
it for 3 weeks. He went back to his old lifestyle. Tom Sawyer persuaded hi to return. Huck had no choice, but he could not be both. If he stayed with the widow Douglas, it was on her terms.
It was the same with Abraham's household.
Those who did not want to be circumcised had the right to leave.
3. He took his help
He was stating to them the exceeding promises of God.
He wanted to share with them the spiritual blessings
We have a responsibility to those who work with us to tell them about the good things of God.

4. Took himself
He could have made excuses.
But he chose instant obedience - It is the only kind of obedience.
Delayed obedience is disobedience. Every time God calls us to a duty, He is offering to make a covenant with us.
Doing the duty is our part.
Special blessing is His part.
If we postpone a duty that God has given to us, it will never bring the full blessing that God intended.

"On that very day... is the Genesis way of saying "do it now".
Quote: Luther - "A true believer will crucify the question, 'Why?'. He will obey without questioning. I will not be one of those who except they see signs & wonders, will in no wise believe. I will obey without questioning

The Bible affirms our need to rely on God, for whom nothing is impossible (Lk 1:37)
Lay hold of God's power for your life

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