Abram's New Name
God changed Abram's name to Abraham. It was a very significant change, even though it just added three letters to his name.(Genesis 17:5,6) God was reinforcing something that He had done in His life and something He was about to do. I think we can all learn something important from this truth.
Abram means "exalted father." Abraham means "father of a multitude." God told Abram that He was going to make him the father of a great nation, when he was 75 years old.(Genesis 12:1-4) It was at age 86 that he had a son named Ishmael, because he and his wife Sarai were trying to help God out. Then, at age 99 God comes to Abram to tell him he was going to have a son by Sarai that would be the son of the covenant, not Ishmael. That fact was hard for Abram to believe since both he and his wife were too old to have children, so God changed his name to bolster his faith.
What did God tell Abraham? "For I have made you a father of many nations." How was that true? When God says something, it is done. It took 25 years for Abraham to have Isaac by Sarah, but since God had said it would happen, it was as good as done. The change in the name showed that to Abraham once and for all.
God may not have changed your name, but what has He said to you? Don't doubt what God has told you. What He has said, He will do. God always fulfills His word to us.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Genesis 18-20.
Abram means "exalted father." Abraham means "father of a multitude." God told Abram that He was going to make him the father of a great nation, when he was 75 years old.(Genesis 12:1-4) It was at age 86 that he had a son named Ishmael, because he and his wife Sarai were trying to help God out. Then, at age 99 God comes to Abram to tell him he was going to have a son by Sarai that would be the son of the covenant, not Ishmael. That fact was hard for Abram to believe since both he and his wife were too old to have children, so God changed his name to bolster his faith.
What did God tell Abraham? "For I have made you a father of many nations." How was that true? When God says something, it is done. It took 25 years for Abraham to have Isaac by Sarah, but since God had said it would happen, it was as good as done. The change in the name showed that to Abraham once and for all.
God may not have changed your name, but what has He said to you? Don't doubt what God has told you. What He has said, He will do. God always fulfills His word to us.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Genesis 18-20.