In this passage, God repeats His promise to Abraham. On two earlier occasions He made the promise (Genesis 12 and 15), but this time it's much more detailed. The promise is actually made up of four parts:
- God would give Abraham many descendants (v. 2),
- God would make Abraham the father of many nations (v. 4),
- God would maintain His covenant not only with Abraham, but with his descendants also (v. 7), and
- God would give Abraham and his descendants the land of Canaan.
Perhaps that's why God, before giving any of the promises, identifies Himself as El Shaddai -- God Almighty. It would surely take a mighty God to pull of these kinds of promises. And as soon as God makes the promises, He considers it already done. Verse 5 says, "...your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations." It's a done deal!!
We serve a God who is mighty! Mighty enough to keep the promises He has made to us, just as he did with Abraham.
- Steve Klemm
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