The Covenant

Genesis 17 & 18 1

We are in Genesis 17 & 18 but before continuing, let us explore the Allegory of Galatians 4:21 to 5:1

Sarah and Hagar as an Allegory

INTRODUCTION: Originally our Bible had no chapter and verse divisions. While most of the divisions are well enough arranged, some seem rather arbitrary. The first verse of chapter five (5:1) seems certainly to be out of order at the head of this chapter inasmuch as it does not logically connect with the subject matter in the following verses. However, it is easily seen to be a very strong and logical conclusion to the allegory dealing with spiritual slavery and freedom just preceding (4: 21-31). Properly then, the textual division for this lesson to be read and studied as a unit, is 4:21-5:1.

In this new section Paul argues, for the sufficiency of Christianity by allegorizing from Sarah and Hagar (Abraham's wife and her slave-servant) and their sons. The allegory is easy to understand as follows:

I. THOSE IN THE ALLEGORY

A. AN ALLEGORY is so spoken as to give a different meaning from that which the words express. As distinct from a parable, the meaning of which must be explained, the allegory has an obvious meaning. Its force takes its rise from Paul's authority as an apostle. Hence, an inspired allegory.

B. SARAH AND HAGAR AND THEIR SONS

Sarah, while not mentioned by name is nevertheless the “free woman,” Abraham's wife and mother of Isaac. Hagar is the “handmaid,” Sarah's bond-slave (Gen. 16: 1-4). The two sons are Isaac and Ishmael (Hagar's son).

II. WHAT THEY REPRESENT

A. “These Women are”

1. “Two Covenants”--Obviously the old Mosaic and the New Christian. The old covenant was given to Israel in Arabia at Mt. Sinai. All who were under that covenant were in bondage to sin (cf. 3:23; 4: 1-7; 4:9).

2. Two Mothers. Even as the children of free women were born free, so the children of slave women were born into bondage and slavery. Thus Isaac was born free while Ishmael was born into slavery.

3. Two Jerusalems “The Jerusalem that is now” (in Paul's time), the city representing legalistic Judaism in bondage under the law to sin and death. “The Jerusalem that is above,” heavenly, spiritual, is the church (Heb. 12:22-23).

B. The quotation from Isaiah (v. 27) is very meaningful. At the time of Isaiah, Judah was about to go into captivity in Babylon. Isaiah foresaw their return from captivity and used the original barrenness of Sarah as a type of Judah's captivity, and eventual return from captivity. The fulfillment of this prophecy Paul says is realized in the church of Christ- “our mother.” The meaning is further expressed in the following:

C. The two sons Isaac and Ishmael.

1. Ishmael was “born after the flesh,” in the ordinary way in which men are conceived and born.

2. Isaac “was born through the promise” (vs. 23; Gen. 17:15-16), “was born after the Spirit” (v. 29). That is, Isaac, being born as the result of God's supernatural over-ruling in the barren womb of Sarah and the inability of old Abraham to beget a child ( Rom. 4: 19), was not born in the ordinary course of nature, but by God's own working in the matter to fulfill his promise.

Thus, all Christians in respect to sin and death are free from bondage like Isaac: born free because of what God did: and all under the law are like Ishmael: in slavery to sin and death. So, the meaning of “cast out the handmaid and her son, for the son of the handmaid shall not inherit with the son of the free woman" (Gen. 21: 10, 12) is that hose who “desire to be under the law” are in bondage to sin and cannot inherit remission of sins, which is the promise to Abraham's sons by faith (3:7).

CONCLUSION:

1. “For Freedom did Christ set us free” (5:1). He did for us what the law could not do (Acts 13: 38-39; Rom. 8: 2-3). Put the emphasis on the word “freedom.” We were freed from sin for freedom from sin. Thus,

2. “Stand fast” by obedience of faith in Christ, and bondage will never overtake us.

Genesis 17

Abraham and the Covenant of Circumcision.

1Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am God Almighty; Walk before Me, and be blameless. 2"I will establish My covenant between Me and you, And I will multiply you exceedingly."
3Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying, 4"As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, And you will be the father of a multitude of nations.
5"No longer shall your name be called Abram, But your name shall be Abraham; For I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. 6"I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you, and kings will come forth from you. 7"I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants after you. 8"I will give to you and to your descendants after you, the land of your sojourning, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God." 9God said further to Abraham, "Now as for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations. 10"This is My covenant, which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: every male among you shall be circumcised. 11"And you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and you. 12"And every male among you who is eight days old shall be circumcised throughout your generations, a servant who is born in the house or who is bought with money from any foreigner, who is not of your descendants. 13"A servant who is born in your house or who is bought with your money shall surely be circumcised; thus shall My covenant be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. 14"But an uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant." 15Then God said to Abraham, "As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. 16"I will bless her, and indeed I will give you a son by her Then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her." 17Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, "Will a child be born to a man one hundred years old? And will Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?" 18And Abraham said to God, "Oh that Ishmael might live before You!" 19But God said, "No, but Sarah your wife will bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. 20"As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I will bless him, and will make him fruitful and will multiply him exceedingly He shall become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. 21"But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this season next year." 22When He finished talking with him, God went up from Abraham. 23Then Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all the servants who were born in his house and all who were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's household, and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the very same day, as God had said to him. 24Now Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. 25And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. 26In the very same day Abraham was circumcised, and Ishmael his son.27All the men of his household, who were born in the house or bought with money from a foreigner, were circumcised with him.

I. V. 1a. Abraham is now 99 years old. At the close of the last chapter when Ishmael was born, he was 86. Now we are told more or lest that Ishmael is 13 years old.

B. Verse 1b-2- Notice, the "Lord appeared" (see 12:7, ; 18:1, 26:2, 24: 35-9).

C. Verse 1b., the author identifies God as YHWH. The same as the God at Sinai (Exodus 3:15).

D. But within this story God identifies Himself as el-sadday or God almighty. Abram worshiped the covenant God as YHWH but also as el- sadday. See Exodus 6:3.

"I appeared to [wa era] Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God almighty (el- saddy) but by my name the Lord (YHWH) I did not make myself known to them.

II. The conditions of the covenant!

A. Abraham must "walk before God and be blameless".

B. Had God not already made a covenant with Abraham in 15:18? If so, why another covenant.

C. The first covenant then was for the land (15:18-21) or at least stresses the land. The second covenant stresses Abraham's descendants (17:2).
III. Verse 3 - Abraham "fell down" A deep sign of respect. At this point, Abraham not only "fell down" but "laughed." A sign of pleasure.

A. The second part of this speech can be divided into three sections (3b-8, 9-14, 15-16). Each section deals with one individual involved in the covenant. (The Lord, Abram, and Sarai v.4a, 9a. v.15a).

B. Each section of the covenant has an accompanying sign.

1. Abraham's name is changed (Abram to Abraham).

2. The circumcision of all males in the second section.

3. Sarai's name is changed in the third section.

C. God's part of the covenant (v.3b-8) consists of two promises. Abundant descendants (v.4-6) God's unchanging faithfulness to His part of the covenant.

D. 6b: Kings will come forth from you. Two ways this is fulfilled. First, there will be many kings in the books of Samuel and Kings. Second, this is related to the promise concerning the "royal house of Judah" (Gen. 49:8-123 and Num.24:7-9). For the first time we have mentioned that the Kingship of Christ was to have its roots in Abraham.

E. VS. 7-8 - So what is "Everlasting" "Olam"

1. The covenant promised is an 'Everlasting" promise. That is "the land" is to be an everlasting promise.

2."Olam" correctly defined as "age lasting."

3. Notice, the Levitical Priesthood was an "Olam" (everlasting) priesthood (Ex. 40:15).

4. Just as Jesus is now our Priest and He is from the tribe of Judah, the Priesthood from the tribe of Levi is no more. Neither is the land promise.

F. Notice, Abraham had obligations under the covenant. "You must keep my covenant" (v.9). Not only was Abraham bound to keep the covenant of God, but his descendants were also bound.

G. What is meant is now explained. Every male child must be circumcised as a "sign of the covenant." Circumcision was never "the covenant" but only a "sign of the covenant."

H. Sarai's part was to be the one through whom the "offspring" was born.

A. The mother of nations

B. The mother of kings

C. Now her name is changed from Sarai to Sarah (v.15).

III. Verses 17-18 - Abraham's Response

A. Abraham fell down and laughed (way-yishaq) v.17.

B. The rest of the verse tells why Abraham laughed. "Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old?"

C. The nature of the laughter is subjective.

D. In 18:12, Sarah responds in exactly the same manner.

E. From this point in our story, laughter becomes a theme. Abraham laughed, Sarah will laugh, (18:12) Lot's sons-in-law laughed (19:14) All who heard about Sarah and Isaac laughed (21:6); the son of Hagar laughed (21:9b) and finally, Isaac's own failure to trust in God (26:8b) was uncovered when the Philistine King saw him laughing (26:8b).

IV. Verses 19-22 Islam left in the cold.

A. The contents of the third part of this divine covenant extends the covenant to Issac and consequently leaves Ishmael out.

B. Thus, Isaac becomes a participant in the in he original covenant (v.19b). The descendants of the covenant are those of Sarah and not those of Hagar even though, Ishmael and his descendants are still to live under the blessing of God (v.20). Just as the offspring of Isaac would form a great nation under 12 tribes (49:1-27), the offspring of Ishmael will form a great nation under 12 rulers (v.20b). The list of those rulers is found in 25:13-15.

V. Verse 23-27 Abraham obeys God

A. Abraham's response shows that he obeyed the terms of the covenant just as he was commanded to do.

B. Our story ends just as it began, with the ages of Abraham and this time Ishmael.

Genesis 18

Birth of Isaac Promised

Now the LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, while he was sitting at the tent door in the heat of the day. 2When he lifted up his eyes and looked, behold, three men were standing opposite him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth, 3and said, "My Lord, if now I have found favor in Your sight, please do not pass Your servant by. 4"Please let a little water be brought and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree; 5and I will bring a piece of bread, that you may refresh yourselves; after that you may go on, since you have visited your servant." And they said, "So do, as you have said." 6So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah, and said, "Quickly, prepare three measures of fine flour, knead it and make bread cakes." 7Abraham also ran to the herd, and took a tender and choice calf and gave it to the servant, and he hurried to prepare it. 8He took curds and milk and the calf which he had prepared, and placed it before them; and he was standing by them under the tree as they ate.

I. The Theological Development 18:1-8

A. The Promise of Isaac.

B. What happens to the righteous in the midst of judgment?

II. Once again, the Lord appeared v.1.

A. Abraham was in the same place back in 13:18 (the Great Trees of Mamre).

B. The location now connects us with Sodom (13:12).

C. The Narrative of the three men.

1. "My Lord" The Masoretic Text vocalizes this term to read "my lords" and not YHWH. But the vocative terms that following this verse are singular and it is only in v.4 that Abraham switches to plural verbs. Thus, Abraham initially addresses himself to the "greatest" of the three and in verses 10 and 13-15 we find out that this great one is God or stated another way, "Jesus" (See John 1:1).

2. Then it is Jesus who will stay and visit with Abraham while the two angles of destruction head to the cities of the plains.

The Promise of a Son

9Then they said to him, "Where is Sarah your wife?" And he said, "There, in the tent." 10He said, "I will surely return to you at this time next year; and behold, Sarah your wife will have a son." And Sarah was listening at the tent door, which was behind him. 11Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; Sarah was past childbearing. 12Sarah laughed to herself, saying, "After I have become old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?" 13And the LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh, saying, 'Shall I indeed bear a child, when I am so old?' 14"Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son." 15 Sarah denied it however, saying, "I did not laugh"; for she was afraid. And He said, "No, but you did laugh.

I. In Verses 9-11 Sarah remains off camera but she clearly is the focus of the story.

A. A. Notice, it was not Abraham's age that was the problem since in 25:1-4 Abraham married and had children.

B. The emphasis on Sarah's age is seen in verse 12.

II. In verses 12-15 the physical improbability of Sarah having a child is restated.

A. Sarah laughs and tries to deny it.

B. The Lord then affirms that she did in fact laugh.

Sodom in the Balance 18: 16-22

16Then the men rose up from there, and looked down toward Sodom; and Abraham was walking with them to send them off. 17The LORD said, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do,

18since Abraham will surely become a great and mighty nation, and in him all the nations of the earth will be blessed? 19"For I have chosen him, so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him." 20And the LORD said, "The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave.

21"I will go down now, and see if they have done entirely according to its outcry, which has come to Me; and if not, I will know." 22Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, while Abraham was still standing before the LORD.

I. Verse 16 - Our attention is now turned to the events that take place in chapter 19. In verse 17, the Lord speaks.

A. VS. - 17-19

1. The Lord is concerned with Abraham.

2. For the first time it is stated "I have chosen him."

3. Now we are told why the "Lord chose him."

(a) he was chosen to keep the way of the Lord.

(b) not only Abraham but also his household.

B. Abraham and his descendants must keep the way of the Lord and only then will the Lord fulfill his promise.

1. They must do what is right and just.

2. That is, to keep the way of the Lord.

II. VS. 20-21 the Lord reveals the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah.

1. What is the outcry against these cities?

2. Who was it complaining about the wickedness?

III. Verse 22 - Who went down?

1. Notice, I will go down and see.

2. The men went down to see.

3. The men then are working for the Lord.

4. Notice 19:1 that one man stayed behind.

Abraham's Intercession

23Abraham came near and said, "Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? 24"Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city; will You indeed sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous who are in it? 25"Far be it from You to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?" 26So the LORD said, "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the whole place on their account." 27And Abraham replied, "Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord, although I am but dust and ashes. 28"Suppose the fifty righteous are lacking five, will You destroy the whole city because of five?" And He said, "I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there." 29He spoke to Him yet again and said, "Suppose forty are found there?" And He said, "I will not do it on account of the forty." 30Then he said, "Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak; suppose thirty are found there?" And He said, "I will not do it if I find thirty there." 31And he said, "Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord; suppose twenty are found there?" And He said, "I will not destroy it on account of the twenty." 32Then he said, "Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak only this once; suppose ten are found there?" And He said, "I will not destroy it on account of the ten."

33As soon as He had finished speaking to Abraham the LORD departed, and Abraham returned to his place.

I. Verse 25 seems to be the central question and motivation.

A. Will God do what is right?

B. Compare 2nd Peter 2:7.

C. It seems that his entire story and line of argument was really oriented to saving Lot.

02:47:23 PM 06/04/08