Genesis 16-17, Psalm 12

A Quick Review: The first biblical record of God's promises to Abram are found in Genesis, chapter 12. At that time Abram was 75 years old. The LORD said, "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." (Genesis 12:2)

The next instance of God's promises to Abram follow in Genesis, chapter 13. "The LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, 'Lift up your eyes, and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward^; for all the land which you see I will give to you and to your descendants for ever.'" (Genesis 13:14-15)

Again in Genesis, chapter 15, God's promises to Abram are listed. "And he brought him outside and said, 'Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.' Then he said to him, 'So shall your descendants be.'" In this chapter the term "covenant" is used to describe God's promises to Abram for the first time. "On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, 'To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates...'" (Genesis 15:18)

The Bible recorded a covenant between God and Noah, Noah's descendants, and all living things in Genesis, chapter 9. So Genesis 15:18 is not the first use of the term "covenant" in the Bible. It is the first use of the term "covenant" in the Bible in reference to God's promises to Abram.

Today: In the Bible reading God's promises to Abram are restated. Abram is now 99 years old, and when he hears that his 90-year-old wife is to become the mother of his child Abram falls on his face and laughs. (Genesis 17:17) The LORD addresses the doubts arising in Abram's mind. The long hoped-for son is to be named Isaac, which means, "he laughs." 

It is a day of new, God-given names. "Abram" becomes "Abraham." "Sarai" becomes "Sarah." And "son" (with a question mark) becomes "Isaac" (with an exclamation point).

What is your new, God-given name, reader? What is the condition of the covenant between you and your God?