Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, God appeared to him and said, "I am God Almighty; walk before me in perfect faithfulness. I will make my covenant between me and you, and I will multiply you exceedingly."

Abram fell on his face, overwhelmed by the encounter, and God spoke with him, saying, "My covenant is with you, Abram. You shall be a father of many nations." And as he looked up at God, he heard these words: "Neither shall your name be called Abram any longer, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations."

"I will make you exceedingly fruitful," God continued, "and I will establish nations from you. Kings will come out of your descendants, and I will establish my covenant between me and you, and your seed after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant." This covenant would be one that would last forever, with God being their God and the God of all their descendants.

"I will give to you and to your descendants after you the land where you are now a stranger," God said. "All the land of Canaan will belong to them as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God." Abraham's heart swelled with gratitude, knowing that this promise was one that would bring hope to his family for generations to come.

You and your descendants after you must keep my covenant throughout their generations," God instructed. "This is my covenant: every male among you shall be circumcised as a sign of our agreement." Circumcision would serve as a reminder of the promise made between them, and it would set Abraham apart from others.

Every male child in your household, whether born to you or purchased from a foreigner, must be circumcised when eight days old," God said. "He who is born in your household and he who is purchased with your money must also be circumcised." This act of obedience would seal their relationship forever, as Abraham's descendants pledged to follow God's commands.

The uncircumcised male whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised will be cut off from his people," God warned. "He has broken my covenant and will no longer be part of our family." This solemn warning made it clear that the promise was one that required action and commitment.

Then Abraham fell on his face, laughed in amazement, and thought to himself, "Can a child be born to him who is one hundred years old? And will Sarah, ninety years old, bear a son?" The thought of such a miracle seemed impossible to him. But God spoke reassuringly, saying, "Sarah your wife shall indeed bear you a son; you will call his name Isaac."

I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant," God said. "And with his descendants after him, I will be their God." The promise was not just for Abraham but would extend to all those who came after him.

And as for Ishmael, God said, "I have heard you and blessed him, making him fruitful and multiplying him greatly. He will father twelve princes and become a great nation." But my covenant will be established with Isaac," God emphasized, "whom Sarah will bear to you at this set time next year."

Abraham took Ishmael his son, all males born in his household, including those purchased with money, and circumcised their foreskins on that very day as God had instructed him. Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, marking a new beginning for him and his family.

Ishmael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, signifying that even though he wasn't born as part of the original promise, he would still be included in this covenant with God. In that very same day, Abraham was circumcised, and Ishmael his son.

All the men of his household, whether born in the house or acquired with money from outsiders, were circumcised along with him. From that moment forward, they became one family, united by their commitment to follow God's commands and keep His promise alive within them.