COMMENTARY

Old Testament: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16
God establishes his covenant with Abraham and his descendants. Like the covenant with Noah, it is an eternal covenant. Unlike that covenant, the beneficiaries of this covenant are Abraham's descendants exclusively. God promises to multiply his progeny so that nations and kings come from his line. As a result of this new relationship, the names of Abram and his wife, Sarai, are changed to Abraham and Sarah. Abraham means "the divine father is exalted." Sarah translates as "princess." This demonstrates the power and authority of the name giver.

Old Testament: Genesis 22:1-18
God instructs Abraham to take his son Isaac and go to the land of Moriah and offer him up to Yahweh as a sacrifice. This was a test of the patriarch's faith because not o…