Lesson 5
Read: Genesis 17:1-22 - www.bible.com/bible/59/gen.17
Abraham:
- Confidence – firm trust
- Patience – the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset

When Abram was 99 years old, the Lord spoke to him again, saying, “I am the strong God; live entirely by faith in Me. I will make a covenant promise between us, and I’m going to give you a huge family.”

Abram was overwhelmed by God’s words and presence, and fell face down in worship.

The Lord continued, telling him he would be the father of many nations. God changed Abram’s name to Abraham, meaning “I’m making you the father of many nations.” The Lord promised Abraham kings would be among his descendants, and His covenant with Abraham, which committed God to be his God and his descendant’s God, would continue forever. The whole country of Canaan, where Abraham was camping, would be owned by his descendants forever. And, most importantly, the Lord would be their God.

God also renamed Sarai “Sarah,” and promised to bless her with a son. Through this miracle son, nations and kings of nations would come from her.

Abraham fell flat on his face again, worshiping the Lord, and then he laughed at the thought of a hundred-year-old man being a father, and Sarah, at ninety years old, having a baby.

Then Abraham thought the Lord meant Ishmael would be this son, and asked God to bless him. But the Lord corrected him. “Your wife, Sarah, will have a son. Name him Isaac (which means laughter).” God promised to establish His everlasting covenant with him and his descendants.

The Lord assured Abraham that He had heard his prayer for Ishmael, and promised to bless him with a huge family and make him a great nation also. But God’s covenant would be established with Isaac, Sarah’s son, who would be born the next year. Abraham was confident God would keep His promise and waited patiently to see His promise fulfilled.

Apply God’s Word to your life:
*It had been 13 years since God had spoken to Abraham. How does this show Abraham’s character traits of confidence in the Lord, and that he had learned to be patient and wait for God’s time to fulfill His promises in His way?
*In whom do you have confidence? How do you and others know about your confidence – what’s different because of this?
*Where do you need the Lord to develop your patience? In what ways will this improve your relationships with others, and with God?