AS A MOTHER, GOD...

Genesis 17
Bob Bonner
February 13, 2005

This past week, one of the members of our Tuesday afternoon prayer team closed their time of prayer with a Bible verse that brought spiritual life and encouragement to all who were there. Later that evening that same verse was passed on to a husband and he was encouraged as well.

In a telephone conversation this week with a wife, she was encouraged by prayer and with an exhortation from scripture as to how she can better understand her husband and her role as a wife.

This week, I learned of a purity conference, held for teenagers in southern California where they learned about the dangers of pornography and homosexuality. So many teens came forward after the presentation to pour out their hearts to the Lord, that there were not enough prayer counselors to care for them all.

The life changing power of Jesus Christ, the joy of knowing God and spending time with Him and others in Bible study and prayer is alive and well. However, not all Christians are experiencing this. It is not uncommon for me to come in contact with Christians who tell me that when they read the Bible, they don’t seem to get anything out of it. They don’t see God’s spirit leading or revealing Himself to them through His word. Some report that they feel like their prayers bounce off the ceiling, that their prayer life is ineffectual and powerless. Others tell me that they no longer find joy in fellowshipping with other Christians. Finally, some report that they no longer are experiencing that supernatural power of God changing their lives, nor are they seeing others come to Christ. Why is it, that some Christians spiritual life is alive with supernatural power and joy, and others’ are not? This morning, we will see one of the major reasons for Christians living a powerless Christian life, and what is necessary if one wants to regain the joy of the Lord, as we study Genesis 17.

In chapter 16, we saw Abraham’s second failure in faith. His first failure in faith took place in chapter 12, when he failed to seek after God for the solution to the famine in Canaan. Instead, Abraham took matters into his own hands and sought out the help of the Pharaoh of Egypt. However, like his first failure, this second failure would be used by God to catapult Abraham’s spiritual growth forward in the years to come. Isn’t it good to know that God can use even our failures to bring us closer to Him?

Thirteen years have passed between chapters 16-17, following the birth of Ishmael. This morning, we come to chapter 17, in which God reaffirms His commitment to Abraham and we see the results of Abraham’s re-awakened faith.

What interest’s me most about this vignette in Abraham’s life, is that just like the Angel of the Lord, Jesus Christ, sought out Hagar in chapter 16, so God, maybe again in the physical form of Jesus, is also seeking out Abraham in chapter 17. I say this because in verse 1, the text says that Yahweh appeared, literally physically appeared to Abraham. Then again, in verse 22, we are told that “God went up” physically ascended into the air, like Jesus did at Pentecost in Acts 1. I’m interested by these physical appearances of God / Jesus, because they emphasize to the reader God’s strong desire to have a personal relationship with each of us. He is very interested in you and your life.

Now, as we work through this rather long passage this morning, we will first read through this passage, from beginning to end with very little interruption. Then we will come back and touch upon some important details. And finally, we will sum up our study with some important truths to personally apply to our lives.

In the first two verses, God makes His first commitment or covenant or promise to Abraham, found in this chapter. We read in verses 1-8, “Now 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. “I will establish My covenant between Me and you, And I will multiply you exceedingly.” Abram fell on his face, [first sign of worship: God must have asked him to get up somewhere after Abe fell, because in v.17 he fell on his face again] and God talked with him, saying, “As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, And you will be the father of a multitude of nations. “No longer shall your name be called Abram, But your name shall be Abraham; For I will make you the father of a multitude of nations. “I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you, and kings will come forth from you. “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. “I will give to you and to your descendants after you, the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.”

After making this covenant with Abraham, God tells Abraham what He will expect from Abraham and his descendants that follow long after Abraham has died. He instructs Abraham to practice circumcision. In verses 9-14 we read, “God said further to Abraham, “Now as for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations. “This is My covenant, which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: every male among you shall be circumcised. “And you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and you. “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. “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. “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.”

In the next two verses, we read of God’s commitment to Sarah: “In God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. “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.”

In the next two verses we see Abraham’s response to God’s commitments: “Then 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?” And Abraham said to God, “Oh that Ishmael might live before You!”

Many have concluded that Abraham’s laughter here is a nervous laughter that came from a lack of faith or doubting. I do not see it that way. I see his laughter as a legitimate joyful response to God’s promise, then suddenly followed by a shocking concern.

My reasons for this are twofold: First, God does not rebuke Abraham for laughing, as God does rebuke Sarah in the next chapter for her laughing when God tells her that she will give birth to Isaac. Her laughter was definitely a doubting laughter and needed to be corrected. Abraham’s was not.

Furthermore, Abraham’s statement about Ishmael, in verse 18, is not one of doubt, but one of concern as to what will happen with his 13 year old son, to whom he had already become attached and loved. In response to his natural fatherly concern for Ishmael, God, further down in verse 20, relieves Abraham’s concerns about Ishmael by telling Abraham that He will bless Ishmael as well, hence, no reason for Dad to worry. Will look at that in a moment.

From here, God makes a second commitment to Abraham: “But 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.”

Isaac’s name means “laughter.” God had Abraham call his son “laughter”, because God wanted Abraham to remember that God’s desire for Abraham was to find joy in His promise of a son.

We continue: “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. “But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this season next year.”

At this point, God physically ascends, or leaves Abraham’s presence, verse 22, “When He finished talking with him, God went up from Abraham.”

With the balance of the chapter, we witness the proof of Abraham’s faith and worship of God...his immediate and total obedience to circumcise himself and all of the males in his household.

Verses 23 - 27, “Then 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. Now Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. In the very same day Abraham was circumcised, and Ishmael his son. All the men of his household, who were born in the house or bought with money from a foreigner, were circumcised with him.”

Now, let’s take a closer look at a few of these verses. Beginning with verse 1, make note of the new name with which God introduces Himself to Abraham. In the English text, we read, “God almighty.” In Hebrew, it is “El Shaddai.” This name for God, “El Shaddai” appears eight times in scripture. This the first time it appears in scripture. To understand the meaning of the name, we must understand what the two Hebrew words, “El” and “Shaddai” mean individually, and then together.

The word, “Shaddai” comes from the Hebrew word “shad” = breast. It is invariably used in Scripture for a mother’s breast, symbolizing that she is not only the one who gives birth to the child, but it is through her that food is transmitted to the infant. Hence, she alone becomes the sustainer of life. In the beginning, she alone is the comforter in the infant’s life. She is the one, in times of fear or danger, who holds her child close to her and provides protection and a sense of security.

When we put these two words together, what a beautiful new picture of God this is for Abraham and us! It not only reveals something more about Who God is, but it gives us a rare glimpse at the female side of God, the mother-God. Back in Genesis 1, we read about man and woman being created in the image of God. Although God is sexless, He does possess and reveal both a male and feminine side. Primarily, He has chosen for us to view Him as our heavenly Father; however, He does not want us to think He doesn’t possess any of the characteristics in which He created woman. “El Shaddai” gives us one of the most tender feminine pictures of God that we have in the Bible.

First, as it concerns God’s purpose, as “El Shaddai”, He is the supernatural mother, the supernatural producer of offspring. “El Shaddai”, not Sarah and Abraham, will be the one who produces the descendants of Abraham’s family. He is the power behind His promises to make Abraham the father of many nations.

As to God’s nature, “El Shaddai” is to the believer all that a mother is to the babe at her breast. He is the almighty producer, exhaustless, sustainer, strengthener, protector, supplier of life, and personal comforter. Only He can satisfy and nourish to the degree that His children have need. He is the one who pours His very life into the frail and weak of heart who trust in Him.

Just as an infant’s very life depends upon his clinging to his mother, so does the very spiritual life of a believer depend upon trusting completely in God’s ability to provide, sustain, protect and comfort. Only when we drink Him in and depend upon Him do we growth, security, and a life that brings us satisfaction and Him glory.

To emphasis the point that God is the power behind the fulfillment of His covenant, and thus our need to depend upon Him, we find God telling Abraham seventeen times in this chapter that “I will” do something. All of these “I will’s” reflect something of the meaning and intent of this name “El Shaddai.” Not wanting to list all 17, here are just few:

To Abraham he said,

I WILL establish My covenant between Me and you
I WILL multiply you exceedingly
I WILL make you the father of a multitude of nations.
I WILL make you exceedingly fruitful
I WILL give to you and to your descendants after you, the land

Speaking of Sarah, “El Shaddai” says,

I WILL give you a son by her
I WILL BLESS her, and she shall be a mother of nations;"

Speaking of Ishmael, “El Shaddai” says,

“I WILL bless him”
“I WILL multiply him”
“I WILL make him a great nation”

Finally, speaking of the promised son, Isaac, “El Shaddai” says,

“I WILL establish my covenant with Isaac”

Here, God is clearly trying to convince Abraham that God will do what He promises, because He is “El Shaddai.” He is the all powerful, birth giving mother, the nourishing creator, protector, loving sustainer of life. Everything is up to Him.

Because of Who He is, God expects certain things from Abraham and us. Because of Who He is, God rightfully expects that Abraham would worship God and obey Him. That He would make God the priority of His life. If Abraham would only do that, then he would find joy, power and blessing in his life. That’s the very intent of the rest of the words that we read in of verse 1, that God expects Abraham to “Walk before me, and be blameless.”

The expression, “Walk before Me” means more than merely “walk with Me” like Enoch walked with God. “Walk before me” does not mean to walk before someone so they can inspect you or your life as you walk. This expression “walk before Me” expresses the image of sheep walking in front of their shepherd. From behind the shepherd whistles or calls out directions to the sheep, and in turn they walk in the direction the shepherd calls for them to go. This is a picture of an intimate relationship between shepherd and sheep; one in which the sheep must absolutely trust in and depend upon their shepherd.

God’s intent here is to tell us to walk or live life in such a way that we place ourselves exclusively under God’s supervision. If we have a question as to which way to go, we look to Him for guidance and protection.

The Hebrew word, “blameless” does not refer to being without sin. It is not being used in a moral sense here. The Hebrew word “blameless” signifies integrity and wholeness of relationship. It is a picture of being in complete favor with someone. That two people are whole-heartedly and joyfully one together. In other words, God is saying to Abraham, like a sheep, I want you to walk before me listening for my voice and following my direction. When you walk in complete obedience to my will you will find wholeness in our relationship. You will find favor and blessing in your life. You will find joy in our relationship.

The reverse would also be true. If Abraham did not walk in complete obedience and dependence upon God, there would be something missing in his relationship with God. His conversations with God would be empty. There would be no joy in his private worship of God. There would be no joy in worshiping with others. Abraham, in turn, would not find others praising His God or wanting to learn more about “El Shaddai.”

“El Shaddai” is ordering Abraham to live his daily life in dependence upon God for everything, just like a breast fed baby depends upon its mother for its sustenance, protection and meeting its every need. As a baby finds warmth, love and joy in its mothers arms, so will those who walk before “El Shaddai” in close intimate and obedient dependence find joy and power and wholeness in their lives.

There is a subtle warning here as well. It is that if Abraham tries to even do God’s will or good works apart from total dependence upon God, he will fail and not find God’s favor or blessing. If he lives as though God’s purposes, God’s instructions do not matter, power in his life, joy, a sense of closeness with God will be gone. God will still fulfill His plans for the rest of the world, but Abraham would be left feeling like the person standing on the outside looking in, longing to be part of the close knit family of God.

In case you didn’t see them, here are some obvious applications for each of us to think on and apply. From Abraham’s example, we have seen that true worship is reflected in immediate not delayed obedience. When Abraham heard what God said, the first thing he rightfully did was fall on his face in humility to worship the almighty God who would even take an interest in his life, to bless him.

But words of worship and religious shows are often cheap. It’s easy for us to come here and sing praise choruses to God and make promises to God in prayer, but then leave here and do whatever we want. That is not true of the genuine worshiper, Abraham. He proved his desire to worship and walk before God when he immediately obeyed God in all that He had asked Abraham to do. In light of being circumcised, which is no fun for any male, especially one 86 years of age, Abraham immediately obeyed God.

And because Abraham truly worshiped God in this, God blessed Abraham with “Isaac”, not just the baby, but joy and laughter with his soul.

Thirdly, make note that As Abraham grows in his understanding of who God is, so does his ability to trust God and so does his desire grow to walk blamelessly before God. Abraham’s faith and worship in God grows as he learns that God is not just “Elohim”, “Yahweh”, “El Elyon”, “Ishmael”, “El Roi”, but also “El Shaddai.” Likewise, as we grow in our understanding of Who God is, our ability to trust and walk rightly before God will increase.

If I were to summarize the biggest idea that I would want you to walk away with from this study, it would be this: The power and joy of the Christian life is discovered and experienced only as we obey God and learn to depend upon His enablement. If your prayers feel hallow, ineffective, if you study of God’s word is not exciting, if your hunger and joy for private as well as public worship and fellowship is waning, then maybe you need to take a good hard look at are you walking before the Lord, blamelessly.

Are you obeying God in the way you are handling your tongue? Have you wronged someone, but you refuse to take ownership of your wrong doing and refuse to seek forgiveness? Are you refusing to give someone? Have you refused to obey God’s command to financially give to Him? Are you giving into immorality in the form of pornography or your relationships with others? Whenever we knowingly refuse to obey God, or we ignore our God given consciences, it won’t be long before the joy of the Lord leaves our lives; His word becomes dull, our prayers hollow and worship is dull. Mark this down: your worship is not dependent upon what music is played, but ultimately if there is still a love song in your heart for God.

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