“And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.”
In this verse, God is speaking to Abraham (originally known as Abram) and is promising to establish a covenant with him. To fully understand the significance of this verse, it’s helpful to provide some context.
Genesis 17 records an important event in Abraham’s life when he was 99 years old. At this point, God had already made several promises to Abraham, including the assurance that he would be the father of many nations and that his descendants would inherit the land of Canaan. However, despite God’s previous promises, Abraham and his wife Sarah remained childless.
In Genesis 17:2, God reaffirms His covenant with Abraham. The word “covenant” refers to a solemn agreement or pact between two parties, often accompanied by specific terms and promises. God emphasizes that this covenant will be established between Himself and Abraham. It is important to note that God initiates and maintains the covenant; it is an act of divine grace and faithfulness.
The latter part of the verse says, “and will multiply thee exceedingly.” God assures Abraham that He will greatly increase his descendants. This promise is significant because it addresses Abraham’s earlier concern about being childless and emphasizes the abundance of offspring he will have.
The fulfillment of this promise is evident throughout the subsequent narrative of the Bible. Abraham eventually becomes the father of Isaac, who in turn has Jacob (also known as Israel). Jacob has twelve sons who become the heads of the twelve tribes of Israel. Thus, God multiplies Abraham’s descendants and establishes them as a great nation.
This verse also foreshadows the broader scope of God’s covenant with Abraham, which extends beyond physical descendants to include spiritual blessings. In the New Testament, the apostle Paul highlights that believers in Jesus Christ, regardless of their ethnic background, become partakers of the covenant promises made to Abraham (Galatians 3:29).
Genesis 17:2 reveals God’s faithfulness, despite the apparent impossibility of the situation. It reminds us that God’s promises are sure, and He is able to bring about what He has declared. Additionally, it teaches us about God’s commitment to fulfilling His purposes and the significance of the covenant relationship between God and His people.
Overall, this verse signifies the establishment of a divine covenant, the multiplication of Abraham’s descendants, and the faithfulness of God to His promises.
