Genesis 17 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

Genesis 17

WHEN:

• Abram was born in approximately 1996 B.C. and died in 1821 B.C. at 175 years old (Gen 25:7).

• The events recorded in Genesis 17 happened when Abram was 99 years old (approximately 1897 B.C.).

CHARACTERS:

• Abram – A man from Ur of the Chaldeans who moved to Canaan at God’s instruction. God promised to bless all the nations of the earth through him and his descendants.

• Sarai – Abram’s wife. She was barren and couldn’t conceive children.

WHERE:

• In Genesis 17, God had a conversation with Abraham about the future of his family, but we are not told where this conversation took place. 

OUTLINE:

• GOD’S COVENANT WITH ABRAM AND THE SIGN OF CIRCUMCISION (17:1-14):

  • God spoke to Abram when He was 99 years old and reaffirmed His promises to him.

  • God promised Abram he would be the “father of a multitude of nations” and for that reason, God changed Abram’s name to Abraham.

  • The covenant between God and Abraham was to be an “everlasting covenant.”

  • He would give Abraham’s descendants the land of Canaan and they were to worship Him as the one true God.

  • As a sign of the covenant, Abraham was to circumcise all his future male children and every male who lived in his house.

  • Infants born in Abraham’s house were to be circumcised when they were 8 days old.

• GOD PROMISES ABRAHAM AND SARAI A SON (17:15-21):

  • God told Abraham Sarai’s name was to be changed to Sarah, because she was going to give birth to a son.

  • Her son would be the father of nations and “kings of peoples.”

  • Abraham laughed and expressed his doubts that a 100-year-old man and a 90-year-old woman could conceive a child.

  • He asked God if His promises could be fulfilled through Ishmael, Abraham’s son with Hagar, but God told him it was not to be.

  • God would bless Ishmael, but Abraham’s son with Sarah was the child through which God’s everlasting covenant would be established.  

• ABRAHAM’S HOUSEHOLD IS CIRCUMCISED (17:22-27):

  • After speaking with God, Abraham returned to his household and circumcised all the males, including himself.

  • Abraham was 99 years old, and Ishmael was 13 years old when they were circumcised.

APPLICATION:

• God loves to use incapable people to achieve great things.

• Abraham and Sarah couldn’t naturally conceive children, but God used them to birth a nation of people who were central to His redemption story.

• This pattern is repeated throughout the Bible.

• If you are going to accomplish great things in the Kingdom of God, it won’t be by your own strength and skill, it will happen as a result of God’s power working through you as you humbly submit to His leading.