The Sign of the Abrahamic Covenant

December 18, 2022 AM, Genesis 17:1-27.

At least three of the Biblical covenants have “signs” associated with them. These signs serve as reminders of God’s faithfulness and covenant requirements on His people. The Covenant with Noah has the sign of the rainbow (Gen. 9:16-17). The Covenant with Abraham has as a sign male circumcision (Gen. 17:11, Rom. 4:11). We will see this as we study Genesis 17. The Covenant with Moses is signified by the Sabbath (Exodus 31:13, Ezek. 20:12, 20). Of these three signs, the rainbow is still operational and relevant; male circumcision is not required; Sabbath observation is not required either. Jewish people are free to maintain the latter two signs if they wish. But neither Jews nor Gentiles are under the Law of Moses today, because it has been fulfilled in Christ and replaced by the Law of Christ. Stop and think if there are any similar “signs” that we have in the church era of God’s program. What does all this mean for us? Obviously, we can anticipate that God keeps His promises. Remember that the Abrahamic Covenant impacts us in Christ. God can do things that seem impossible. God even blesses those outside the boundaries of the covenant—not with all the provisions of the covenant, but with some blessings nonetheless.

Our Scripture reading was found in Luke 1:1-80.