That Old Time Religion (The Beginning)

Genesis 17

So, this whole chapter is about the beginning of the covenant made with Abram, who now becomes Abraham. Accordingly, I cannot write a reference to just one verse, or two, or three.

So, I will just say what sticks out to me about this whole chapter.

First of all, in this time period Abraham and his household is commanded to be circumcised. Now, that isn't necessary, at least not in the physical way. We are commanded to be circumcised in the heart. Meaning that we are to be humble, submissive, relying on Christ and His infinite power to save and to enable us. Instead of relying on ourselves and our intellect and anything else we posses. This is the covenant.

What Abraham, Issac, and Jacob get? They get to be the ancestors of nations and kings. So, you look at that. I don't think that is limited to what we know of the tribes of Israel. Anciently, they never went out of their sphere, unless they were conquered, captured and brought into other lands. But they never really got too far away. Until the Northern Kingdom was captured and dispersed, and then later the Jewish nation by the Romans. But they have always been persecuted. They never became nations, they became a nation right, unless you count the division.

I personally don't think it is in reference to a divided kingdom. I think this blessing has to do with the fact that the tribes were dispersed and they mingled with other nations. Now, most people have some trace of being a part of one of the twelve tribes.

So, this means that a massive majority belong to the covenant of Abraham. That we are his seed. I know I hit on this on an earlier post, but it is important to say that Heavenly Father intended for every single person who ever lived, who is currently living and who will live to be a part of the covenant.