The Life of AbrahamSample

Two-Way Covenant

God makes multiple covenants with Abram. We can think of it as one covenant with multiple parts, like the different articles of the US Constitution.

Abram had already been declared righteous in God’s sight solely by faith. That statement had no remaining conditions. 

The provision made for Abram in chapter 17 is different—it’s mutual. God has a role and Abram has a role; what God does will depend on what Abram does. Abram’s part is to live faithfully, righteously, and blamelessly. If Abram does this, then God’s part is to reward him with additional blessings, to multiply him exceedingly.

God had already promised unconditionally to make Abram’s descendants as numerous as the stars of the heaven. Thus, to multiply exceedingly must extend beyond mere numbers. And of course, it did. God would later grant Abram’s lineage the Deliverer of Israel and Eternal King of the earth—Jesus.

From these various provisions God made for Abram, we learn that God’s acceptance is unconditionally given. When He grants a reward or gives a gift, it is irrevocable (Romans 11:29). But we also learn that we can possess these gifts and still have amazing future rewards connected with our current choices. Rewards accumulate as we walk in obedience.

God now calls us to be people who walk in faith, sowing seeds that bless our future generations—like Abram. We can learn from him that when we exert the effort to walk in faith, God blesses that effort beyond what we can imagine. 

However, no matter how well we might do or how many rewards we might accumulate along the way, there is always more to strive for. 

Some of Abram’s greatest tests still lie ahead. God will continue to mold Abram into Abraham—the Father of all who believe.