Change is inevitable and a requirement through life’s phases. However, sometimes change happens quickly through very trying times or periods of crisis.
In Genesis 17:1-21. Abraham is told of a life-changing situation to fulfil God’s promises given earlier in chapter 12. We can observe here that time had passed since the initial call in Genesis 12:1-3 “Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”
Circumstances changed as Abraham was now in a different phase of life, an old man of 99 years old. In chapter 17 verse 17 Abraham seemed to have a crisis of doubt. Abraham said in his heart, “Shall a child be born unto him who is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years, bear?” God’s promises did not change as here He outlined how the promises were to be accomplished. God also revealed Himself as all powerful and all-sufficient God (El Shaddai). Circumstances and time changed in successive generations after Abraham, but God’s promises did not. He gave them to Isaac in Genesis 26:3, and to Jacob in Genesis 35:11-12. God restates the same promises to Israel under Moses in Exodus 6: 6-8, and under Joshua, in Joshua 1:6, as those that were promised to Abraham. As foretold in Genesis 15:13, we note changes of circumstances during Israel’s 400 years of slavery, hard labour and injustice in Egypt. However, these did not alter God’s initial promises to Abraham. Leadership and circumstances changed but God’s promises did not change, as well as God’s power and strength for the mission to be accomplished.
Ultimately, the unchanging promises of God are fulfilled in Abraham’s descendant the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. In Him the universal blessings (not specific to Israel) flow to those that put their faith in Him. Luke 1:72-73 states “To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; the oath which he sware to our father Abraham”. Jesus has liberated us from the bondage of sin as Israel was liberated from bondage in Egypt (Ex 19:4-5 and 1 Pet 2: 9-10).
God is able to do what we cannot do. He had power over Abraham’s condition and circumstances and He has power in our lives today. His immutable nature is sufficient to provide us with what is needed in constant unsustainable changes, difficult and challenging circumstances. From life’s smallest to its biggest challenges, the meaning and solution lies with God.
Simon