Gen 17:19 | KingComments | STEP | When everything concerning the covenant and circumcision has been told by God, He tells who the heir’s mother is. To this God also connects a name change for Sarai. The heir will be born of “Sara”. “Sarai” means ‘my princess’; “Sara” means ‘princess’. When we think of ‘my princess’ we can think of a certain family or genealogy to which she belongs. That name implies a certain limitation. When we think of ‘princess’ we do not think of limitations, but of her dignity. She is a picture of Israel that is still barren, but that will produce fruit that will be a blessing to the whole earth. After this announcement Abraham throws himself down in worship before God and laughs. This is not a laugh of unbelief, as was later the case with Sarah ( ). It is a laughter of joy and faith because of the promise of God ( ). That it is a laughter of joy and faith is also expressed in the name he has to give his son, for “Isaac” means ‘laughing’. Abraham still has a special request for Ishmael. After all, he is also his son. At Abraham’s request, God only responds by promising blessing on the earth for Ishmael, without any special bond with God. Ishmael is the result of a work of disbelief. With this God can never stand in a covenant relationship. Then God continues to speak about Isaac. The blessing for Abraham and his descendants is exclusively connected with Isaac. With him God will also establish His covenant. He predicts that the birth of Isaac will take place in the near future. The fulfillment of the promise will not be long in coming.

‏ Genesis 17:19

The Heir Promised

When everything concerning the covenant and circumcision has been told by God, He tells who the heir’s mother is. To this God also connects a name change for Sarai. The heir will be born of “Sara”. “Sarai” means ‘my princess’; “Sara” means ‘princess’. When we think of ‘my princess’ we can think of a certain family or genealogy to which she belongs. That name implies a certain limitation. When we think of ‘princess’ we do not think of limitations, but of her dignity. She is a picture of Israel that is still barren, but that will produce fruit that will be a blessing to the whole earth.

After this announcement Abraham throws himself down in worship before God and laughs. This is not a laugh of unbelief, as was later the case with Sarah (Gen 18:12). It is a laughter of joy and faith because of the promise of God (Rom 4:19). That it is a laughter of joy and faith is also expressed in the name he has to give his son, for “Isaac” means ‘laughing’.

Abraham still has a special request for Ishmael. After all, he is also his son. At Abraham’s request, God only responds by promising blessing on the earth for Ishmael, without any special bond with God. Ishmael is the result of a work of disbelief. With this God can never stand in a covenant relationship.

Then God continues to speak about Isaac. The blessing for Abraham and his descendants is exclusively connected with Isaac. With him God will also establish His covenant. He predicts that the birth of Isaac will take place in the near future. The fulfillment of the promise will not be long in coming.