Genesis 17:15-27
A Son Named Isaac
Read the passage
15Then God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, do not call her Sarai, for her name is to be Sarah.
16And I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will descend from her.”
17Abraham fell facedown. Then he laughed and said to himself, “Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Can Sarah give birth at the age of ninety?”
18And Abraham said to God, “O that Ishmael might live under Your blessing!”
19But God replied, “Your wife Sarah will indeed bear you a son, and you are to name him Isaac. I will establish My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.
20As for Ishmael, I have heard you, and I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. He will become the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation.
21But I will establish My covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this time next year.”
22When He had finished speaking with Abraham, God went up from him.
23On that very day Abraham took his son Ishmael and all those born in his household or purchased with his money—every male among the members of Abraham’s household—and he circumcised them, just as God had told him.
24So Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised,
25and his son Ishmael was thirteen;
26Abraham and his son Ishmael were circumcised on the same day.
27And all the men of Abraham’s household—both servants born in his household and those purchased from foreigners—were circumcised with him.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
God tells Abraham that Sarai is now Sarah and that he will bless her and give Abraham a son by her. Abraham falls on his face and laughs. He wonders whether a man of one hundred and a woman of ninety can have a child, and he asks God to let Ishmael live under the promise.
God answers with a clear promise: Sarah will bear a son, and Abraham will call him Isaac. God will establish his covenant with Isaac and his offspring after him. At the same time, God has heard Abraham concerning Ishmael. Ishmael will be blessed, made fruitful, and become the father of twelve princes and a great nation.
The passage distinguishes the covenant line without saying that Ishmael is unnoticed or unloved. Isaac carries the particular covenant promise, and Ishmael receives a real promise of blessing. God's faithfulness to one promise does not require us to imagine indifference toward another son.
God finishes speaking and goes up from Abraham. That same day Abraham circumcises himself, Ishmael, every male in his household, and every servant born or bought in the household, just as God commanded. Abraham's response is immediate and concrete, even though the promised birth has not yet occurred.
Questions
1 What did God promise Sarah?
AnswerGod promises that Sarah will bear Abraham a son and that the child will be named Isaac. The promise comes when both parents are far beyond ordinary childbearing years.
2 What would Abraham name the son?
AnswerGod tells Abraham to name the son Isaac. Sarah will bear him at the appointed time, and God's covenant will be established with Isaac and his offspring after him.
3 What did God promise Ishmael?
AnswerGod promises to bless Ishmael, make him fruitful, and multiply him greatly. Ishmael will father twelve rulers and become a great nation, even though the covenant will be established with Isaac.
4 How did Abraham respond to God’s command?
AnswerAbraham circumcises himself, Ishmael, and every male in his household that same day. He responds to God's command without postponing the sign.
What This Means for Us
God's particular calling does not give us permission to despise people outside our own story. Hold both truths: God may give your family a specific responsibility, and other families remain within his care. When a promise seems impossible, bring your laughter and questions honestly, then take the next faithful action.
Prayer
God of surprising promises, meet us when hope feels too late or too strange to believe. Help us honor the particular work you give us without despising people outside our circle. Teach us to respond to grace with concrete obedience and to trust your care for every household. Amen.