Genesis 17

“Every male among you shall be circumcised” (v10). In the same conversation, God promised that Abraham would be “the father of a multitude of nations” (v5) and also demanded that he observe a strange and dangerous ritual as a sign of commitment. Circumcision made Abraham and all his men vulnerable, dependent on God’s power. This was the nature of the covenant: God wanted to bless Abraham (and the world through Abraham), but the blessing could only come through faith.

Abraham is known as “the father of all those who believe” (Rom 4:11). He was not perfect, but his faith pleased God.