The attention is now turned to Sarai and her name and purpose will change. Her name (which once meant "princess") will be changed to Sarah and she will be the mother of many nations and kings will descend from her. Despite Abraham's inability to conceive (ha!) that God will do unnatural things to both of them given their age, he is told that he will have a son and his name will be Issac. What is interesting here is that Abraham still held to the notion that Ishmael would be "the one" and prayed that God would be with him. God assured him that Ishmael would receive a just reward but not this one. Still the balance of the section was the keeping of the covenant on Abraham's side with his, Ishmael's and the rest of the males receiving circumscion at the same time. Since Ishmael received his passage into manhood at 13, I guess his was the first Bar Mitzah ever recorded. God also left and would return in 18 to fulfill His promise.
This was a huge step in the life of the nation of Israel. The lineage and the covenant was set and all man had to do was to "trust and obey".
Prayers for Irene, David and GG as they go to FL for a long weekend along with my cousin Jimmy. Hope they enjoy themselves as they head down for Food and Wine. As for me, it's heigh ho!
Praise for today: He is good and his love endures forever! 2 Chr 7: 3
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