Page 55 - BibleKnowledgeFormOne

Tanzania Institute of Education (TIE)
Form One

Activity 4.3

Use library and online source, then, explain the consequences of impatience to
youth in their life.

Renewal of the covenant, change of names and circumcion
FOR ONLINE READING ONLY
When Abraham (Abram) was ninety-nine (99) years old, the Lord appeared to him
and said, “I am God Almighty. Walk before me and be blameless. And I will make my
covenant between me and you, and will make you exceedingly numerous” (Genesis

17:2). Then Abraham fell on his face and God said, “Behold my covenant is with you,
and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be
Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you the “father of multitude
of nations” (Genesis 17:3-5). As a condition for the covenant God commanded
Abraham and all male children to be circumcised as a sign of distinguishing the
people of God from others. Ishmael was 13 years when he was circumcised.

God said, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name “Sarai”, but “Sarah”
shall be her name. I will bless her, and moreover; I will give you a son by her; I will

bless her and she shall be the mother of nations.” Then Abraham fell on his face and
laughed. He was hundred years old. He said, “Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old,
bear a child?” (Genesis 17:17). Then, Abraham said, “O that Ishmael might live in
thy sight? God said, “No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son and you shall call
his name Isaac” (Genesis 17:15).

“Abram” means “Exalted Father,” whereas, “Abraham” means father of multitude of
nations. On the other hand, “Sarah means mother of multitude of nations.

From Abraham and his descendants, God demanded obedience and righteousness.

Furthermore, the external sign of the covenant was demonstrated through circumcision.
God directed that every male person at the age of 8 days, must be circumcised. In
compliance to this requirement, Abraham was circumcised at the age of 99 years, and
Ishmael was circumcised at the age of 13 years.

Importance of circumcision to Abraham and his descendants
Whatever comes from God’s mouth is good and has a purpose. Circumcision has
a great meaning in the spiritual and physical realms. Abraham was certain of that

reality, and he kept the law, hence, witnessed the fulfillment of God’s promises.
Circumcision ordered by God to Abraham was significant in the sense that; it was an

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