7 And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. (Genesis 17:7)
Note that here, and elsewhere, the phrasing that marks the possession of the covenant usually lists God first, as the initiator of agreement.
14 Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant. ” (Genesis 17:14)
This is the statement of the symbolism of circumcision, at a part of it. Those who did not submit to the command of God, and yield to His covenantal promises, symbolized by the "cutting off" off the foreskin of the male member. If that foreskin is not removed, if that symbolism is not fulfilled, then the picture is not completed.
17 Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, “Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child? ” (Genesis 17:17)
The "laughing" here is distinctly different than the laugh that Sarah will do in just a chapter or so. Her laugh is one of doubt and ridicule. Abraham's is one of joy. Note that this is so, even though he SMS virtually the same question!
18 And Abraham said to God, “Oh that Ishmael might live before you! ” (Genesis 17:18)
I've always been fascinated by Abraham's love for Ishmael. Not merely favoritism, as we will see in the case of Jacob and Esau; but a genuine love that we see put forth here as he cries out to God for his salvation as a primary manifestation of the Covenant! What is wonderful is that Abraham is not primarily interested in what he reaps as benefit from the Covenant; but rather his primary concern is for his child Ishmael (remember that Isaac is not yet alive) and for the glory of The a name of the Lord (...that he might live before You!).
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