1. The sign and seal of the covenant (9-14)

God told Abraham to undergo circumcision, and to circumcise every male in his household as a sign of the covenant. This covenant was established by God as an everlasting covenant. God is Spirit and he alone is everlasting, so this is essentially a spiritual covenant. The physical act was an act of obedience which symbolized spiritual reality (Dt 30:6; Ro 2:28).

2. The promise of a son, Isaac (15-22)

The covenant son was a son of promise. He was the one through whom God would bless the world. Abraham loved Ishmael, but Ishmael, the fruit of impatience and unbelief, could not be the covenant son.

3. Abraham's obedience (23-27)

Abraham did not put off doing the hard thing. He obeyed that very day. He accepted the covenant promise and expressed his faith by his obedience.

Application: Lord, help me to express my faith in you and in your promises by obedience to your word. Thank you for the new covenant in Jesus' blood.
One Word: Believe the covenant promise