JBF Genesis Bible Study                                                                  SWS 06/21/2009

YOU WILL BE THE FATHER OF MANY NATIONS

Genesis 17:1-27
Key Verse: Genesis 17:4-5 

"As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. 

Read V1. How many years had passed after Ishmael was born? What do you think Abram’s life had been like during those silent years?

Read V2. How did God reveal himself to Abram again? In what respect had Abram’s faith before God been lacking? Why did God tell him to “walk before me and be blameless”?

Read V3-5. How did Abram respond? What was God’s new covenant with Abraham? What does it mean to be the father of many nations? Why did God change Abram’s name to Abraham? What is the significance of this change? 

Read V6-14. How did God affirm and expand the covenant promises? What is significant about an “everlasting covenant?” An “everlasting possession”?  What did God tell Abraham to do as a sing and seal of the covenant? 

Read V15-27. How did God bless Sarah? What was Abraham’s response? What specific promise did God give Abraham concerning his family? Why did God choose to give the spiritual blessing to Isaac instead of to Ishmael?