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Review: Last we learned that helping God out can have devastating consequences.  We need to seek him to guide our steps and be patient on his timing.  His way will always be better.

Consequently, we now see two Covenants at play between Isaac and Ishmael that continue to manifest their powerful realities to this day.  To Isaac, the blessing of the Lord that solidifies an everlasting possession regarding the land of Canaan and an everlasting Covenant of his seed becoming a blessing to all people.  To Ishmael he will be blessed by God to become a great nation and a father to several nations.  However, his promise includes conflict with others and hostility towards his brothers.  We bless Israel, we pray for both Jew and Palestinian to receive the peace of the Gospel found in Jesus alone. 

Read Genesis 17

God’s expectation in a Covenant relationship is faithfulness. (1)

• In every Covenant God establishes, He is faithful to it.
  
  
• He expects us to be faithful to Him.
  
  
• God expects he same of human covenants. Matthew 5:33-37; 19:6

God-given names communicate his plan. (5, 15, 19)

• Ishmael = God hears
  
  
• Abram = exalted father
  Abraham = father of many nations

• Sarai = my princess (singular household)
  Sarah = princess (no restrictions, therefore to many)

• Isaac = he laughs (They are 99 and 90 when receiving this word)
  
  
• Jesus (Yeshua) = the Lord saves

The Covenant with Isaac. (7-8)

• The land will be an everlasting possession.
  • Full fulfillment is yet to come.

• God has chosen your people to be his people as everlasting Covenant.
  • A people of God for eternity which will be made complete upon His return.

Covenants are sealed by a sign as testimony of absolute submission to its demands. (9-13)

• This will become a mark of possession.
  • Circumcision will remind Abraham of God’s Covenant with him and faithfulness is demanded.
  • You are identified as chosen or belonging to another.
  • Like the nose ring and bracelets given Rebekah in Genesis 24:22-30.
  • Like what we do with engagement rings and wedding bands.

• It requires faith through obedience.
  
  
• A testimony to others that you serve Yahweh.

Circumcision is used by God to bring alignment with human hearts.

Romans 2:27-29 “The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the^[c] written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker. ²⁸ A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. ²⁹ No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.”

• Nothing inherently magical with the physical act of circumcision.
  
  
• It is in the act of whole-hearted obedience to the lordship of God that pleases Him.
  
  
• It is in the circumcision of the heart, done by the Spirit that is a work of God.

In Christ, God marks those who are His with the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 1:13-15 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, ¹⁴ who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.”

• Having believed and entrusted yourself to the message of Jesus, God marks you as His with the Seal—the Holy Spirit.
  • You belong to God.
  • He solidifies your future.
  • He puts boundaries on Satan’s ability to harm you.
  • He empowers us to advance His Kingdom.

Have you believed and entrusted yourself to Jesus Christ as Lord?

• Marked with the Spirit. Evidence that you are God’s possession.

Do you live as one who is faithful to God by giving glory to Him by the way you live?

• Walking by that Spirit. Faithfulness.

Do you live in acknowledgement that your true home awaits?  

• People who see Heaven as home evidence vitality in their faith.

Communion

We must not forget the Covenant we have betrothed ourselves to.  We must be faithful.  Now we take this time to remember and go forward in expectancy the fulfillment of these things when Jesus returns.   

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 “For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, ²⁴ and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” ²⁵ In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” ²⁶ For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”