Genesis 17
v.1
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless.
The word blameless literally means “whole.” God wanted all of Abram, a total commitment.
v.2
I will confirm my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.”
All these thirteen years, so far as Scripture informs us, Abram had not a single visit from his God. We do not find any record of his either doing anything memorable or having so much as a single audience with the Most High.
v.6
I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you.
v.12
For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner - those who are not your offspring.
McMillen also notes newborn children have a peculiar susceptibility to bleeding between the second and fifth days of life. It seems an important blood-clotting agent, vitamin K, is not formed in the normal amount until the fifth to seventh day of life. Another blood-clotting agent, prothrombin, is at its highest levels in infants on precisely the eighth day of life, making the eighth day the safest, earliest day to circumcise an infant.
v.14
Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son.
Hard is the same Hebrew word for wonderful in Isaiah 9:6: For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given… And His name will be called Wonderful. Jesus is our “wonderful” One, and He isn’t too hard or wonderful for God to give unto us.
v.16
I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.”