(a) Highlight the covenant promises which God made to Abraham.
(b) In what three ways are these promises significant to Christians?
Explanation
(a) The covenant promises God made to Abraham are: (i) The Lord appeared to Abraham at the age of ninety-nine years. (ii) He told him to walk before Him and be blameless. (iii) He promised to multiply Abraham exceedingly, Abraham fell on his face in reverence to God. (iv) He promised to make him a father of a multitude of nations. (v) He changed his name from Abram to Abraham. (vi) God promised to make him fruitful. (vii) Nations and kings would come out of him. (viii) The covenant was between God and Abraham but to be extended to Abraham's descendants. (ix) God promised to be God to him and his descendants after him. (x) The land of Canaan would be for Abraham and his descendants. (xi) He was told to circumcise himself and every male among his people at the age of eight days as a sign of the covenant. (xii) God changed his wife's name from Sarai to Sarah. (xiii) He promised to give him a son. (xiv) He also promised to establish His covenant with Isaac, the promised child.
(b) Significance: (i) Christians must have faith/trust in God. (ii) God's instructions/words must be obeyed. (iii) God is faithful in dealing with His people. (iv) Spirit of patience/long-suffering is necessary in the life of a Christian. (v) Circumcision of the heart (purity of the heart) is necessary to obtain God's blessings. (vi) Need to acknowledge God's blessings. (vii) Names indicate personality.