Expect the Unexpected

O.T. #37 "Expect the Unexpected"
April 30, 2013
Genesis 17-Part 2
But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set
time in the next year. Genesis 17:21 

LET IT GLOW

What does your name mean? My name, Linda, means beautiful; my husband's name means
 mighty warrior; our two children's names are derived from the same one, which means crowned
 one.

In verses 5 and 15, God changed Abram's name and his wife Sarai's name. Names back then
were significant of God's plan for a person's life.

Abram means high father; Abraham means father of a multitude.
Sarai means contentious; Sarah means a princess.

Their new names were preparation for the new blessing about to enter their home. Only the grace of God could take two idol-worshiping heathen and make godly kings and queens out of them!
(Wiersbe)

For twenty-four years of close and intimate fellowship with God had changed him completely. Abram was living under the shaping Hand of God. This name change was essentially an announcement by God that God was now going to relate to him by his "new character"! This
begins a whole new dimension in Abraham's life.
 (Blackaby)

Abraham believed in the LORD; and He counted it to him for righteousness. (15:5)

God changed other names-Jacob to Israel, Saul to Paul, and Simon to Peter, shaping their
character over time.

Is God shaping our character? Is our relationship with God changing?

Speaking of names, so far we have read of the Old Testament names for God:

• Elohim, referring to God's power and might (1:1)
• Jehovah, a reference to God's divine salvation (2:4)
• El-Elyon, meaning "The Most High God" (14;17-20)
• El-Roi, meaning "The Strong One who sees" (16:12)
• El-Shaddai, meaning "The God of the mountains" or "God Almighty" (17:1)                         (The MacArthur Bible Commentary)

Which has God shown Himself to you as? Are we worthy of the name Christian?


LET IT GROW

Psst-yeah, sure, a 90 year old will give birth by a 100 year old husband. I think that would be my reaction. Actually, we had a surprise in our family similar to that. Only I didn't laugh when I
heard it, but I did react with disbelief. Our daughter, who is 38, is having her fifth child in
seven days. Now that news was shocking to all of the family, especially her. (Please pray for her daily as she is quite ready.) Are you ready for the unexpected?

Here is another first mention: Sarah, the barren old wife of Abraham, as being the mother of his
child. Keep in mind their ages when the son of promise, Isaac, was born. Both Abraham and his wife laughed within themselves when they heard God promise this. Guess what the name Isaac means-he laughed. What an appropriate reminder to them of their initial, faithless reaction to
God's promise.  (I really can't blame them. I wonder if she had any friends alive that she
could share the news with.)

What else did God promise to Sarah?
God would establish His covenant with Isaac for an everlasting covenant and with his seed after
him. Kings shall come from her. Also, Sarah would bear Isaac at this set time in the next year.
We know this did come true.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under
the heaven.

If this couple had had a son born in their younger years, they would not have experience a
miracle. It would have been a natural thing.

Are we ever doubtful at God's promises to us?

LET IT GO

Act like a Christian.

Allow God to shape my character as He wishes.

Expect the unexpected.