The Abrahamic Covenant

• begins with God calling and making promises to Abraham (Gen. 12)
• “cutting” or inaugurating the covenant (Gen. 15)
• affirming the covenant through circumcision (Gen. 17)
• establishing the covenant with an oath (Gen. 22)

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1. God “cuts” a covenant with Abram (Genesis 15:1-6)

Seed/descendants (15:1-6)

• God reveals himself and makes promises (1)
• Abram’s complaint and question (2-3)
• God’s revelation and confirmation (4-6)

Land (15:7-21)

• God reveals himself and makes promises (7)
• Abram’s complaint and question (8)
• God’s revelation and confirmation (9-19)

2. Abram’s Firstborn Son, Ishmael (Genesis 16:1–16)

• Sarai and Abram attempt to bring about an heir by works, not faith (1-6)
• God promises a son to Hagar (7-14)
• The birth of Ishmael (15-16)

Summary: The Lord is going bless Ishmael, but the covenant is going to Isaac. The history of the covenant people is thus decisively shaped by God’s sovereign choice.