Friday Devo
Scripture:
Genesis 17:4-5
4 “This is my covenant with you: I will make you the father of a multitude of nations! 5 What’s more, I am changing your name. It will no longer be Abram. Instead, you will be called Abraham, for you will be the father of many nations.
4 “This is my covenant with you: I will make you the father of a multitude of nations! 5 What’s more, I am changing your name. It will no longer be Abram. Instead, you will be called Abraham, for you will be the father of many nations.
Commentary:
17:4–5 the father of a multitude of nations. These words summarize the covenant being established by God. Everything else that God says in the rest of the chapter expands on this core affirmation. To underline their importance, these words are repeated at the end of v. 5. your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. The transformation of Abram’s name to “Abraham” encapsulates the purpose of the covenant. Although the term “father” normally denotes a biological relationship, the Bible contains examples of its being used metaphorically. Joseph describes himself as “father to Pharaoh” (45:8; cf. Judg. 17:10, where Micah invites a young Levite to be his “father”). The concept of Abraham’s being the “father of a multitude of nations” is probably related to the earlier divine promise that “in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Gen. 12:3). As a father figure, Abraham will have a profound influence on others, including those who are not his biological children.
17:4 The multiplication of the nation of Israel represents the proximate fulfillment of God’s promise (Ex. 1:7). Those who place their trust in Christ, the offspring of Abraham (Gal. 3:16), now become sons of Abraham (Gal. 3:6–9), so that ultimately all the multitude of the saved (Rev. 5:9) have Abraham as father (Rom. 4:17–18).
17:4 The multiplication of the nation of Israel represents the proximate fulfillment of God’s promise (Ex. 1:7). Those who place their trust in Christ, the offspring of Abraham (Gal. 3:16), now become sons of Abraham (Gal. 3:6–9), so that ultimately all the multitude of the saved (Rev. 5:9) have Abraham as father (Rom. 4:17–18).
Questions:
- When we trust God with bold faith, He comes through. But He can only multiply what we give Him in faith. The bottom line is this… living for something bigger than ourselves means learning to live by FAITH. What is keeping you from living by faith in your own life? What are you holding back from God, refusing to surrender? Where is He asking you to trust and obey so that He might multiply?
- As we've said this week, the Christian life is all about faith. But faith isn't really faith until it's acted upon. In the Hebrew language, there is no noun for faith. Faith is a verb. Faith is action. As we wrap up this week, prayerfully ask yourself these questions and allow God to speak to you. What barriers are there to you living all out for God by faith? Are you willing to engage with God and ask Him what He might be asking of you?
Pray:
- That you would surrender every area of your life, in faith, to God.
- That God would make clear to you what He is asking of you in this season.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
6. Is the Bible God’s Word? Jesus proved He is God by rising from the dead and said the Old Testament was God’s Word and gave authority to the Apostles to write the words of the New Testament, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, so that all the words of the Bible are God’s Word.
(Matthew 5:18; Luke 24:27, 44; John 14:25-26, 15:27, 16:12-13, 17:20; Acts 2:42; Ephesians 3:5; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21)
(Matthew 5:18; Luke 24:27, 44; John 14:25-26, 15:27, 16:12-13, 17:20; Acts 2:42; Ephesians 3:5; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21)
No Comments