COMMENTARY

Old Testament: Genesis 17:1-27
This is the account of Yahweh's covenant with Abraham. As with Noah, Yahweh offers a covenant with Abraham. Through the covenant Yahweh offers him a people, a land, a son and a God. The outward sign of the covenant is circumcision. The effect of the covenant is a change in Abraham's life symbolized by the change of his name from Abram to Abraham. In response Abraham has the responsibility to walk before Yahweh and to live blamelessly. Yet, when Yahweh informed him that Sarah would have a son, he laughed in unbelief.

Epistle: Romans 4:13-25
In this pericope Paul uses Abraham as proof that we are not saved by works of the law, but by faith in Christ. The covenant is the product of grace expressed in God's promise. God promised Abraham that he would…