Genesis 17

Walk before me and be blameless. By faith.

Covenant of circumcision.

Covenant of the land – specific to Abraham’s descendants through Isaac.

Yet being considered righteous by faith (Genesis 15)  was later extended to Gentiles.

Genesis 18

Urgency of Abraham’s hospitality – it was a significant effort (bake bread, kill a calf).

Somehow he had recognized that these visitors were not ordinary visitors but messengers of God. He took this very seriously.

God’s promise.

Sarah laughed (mocked) but God still kept his promise. In this instance it was not conditional but absolute. He was going to demonstrate his faithfulness.

Abraham’s intercession. He must have been called by God to intercede (God put the desire in him). Parallel – Esther approaching the King. If he is not pleased, he will kill you. God was pleased with Abraham because of his faith.

Genesis 19

Lot – not a very righteous “righteous man”. He protected the visitors but look what he was willing to do to his daughters. Genesis 19:8. Fear makes even a good man do bad things. Or did he simply not value them?

Both he and his wife (and his sons in law) are pitiful. God was merciful to them because of someone else’s faith (Abraham’s). “God remembered Abraham” (vs 29). Their response (small, cramped) was not worthy of the gift they had been given.  The offspring (Moab, Ammonites) later brought much trouble to God’s people. Yet Ruth was a Moabitess. You never know where you will find righteousness and faith.

Genesis 20

Abimelech. Again Abraham lies because of fear, and Sarah is complicit in his dishonesty, yet God calls him a prophet and blesses and protects him. The pagan king shows more concern for integrity than Abraham does, and God shows mercy to him because of Abraham. God’s mercy to those He has chosen. The high value he places on faith and covenant response.

Genesis 21

God’s mercy to Ishmael also.