The text focuses on God's faithfulness to his word by making three statements:
- "Now the Lord was gracious...as he had said."
- "The Lord did for Sarah what he had promised."
- "...at the very time God had promised him."
Abraham and Sarah had waited twenty-five years for this promise to be fulfilled, but God had been gracious, faithful and on time throughout the entire twenty-five years.
Abraham responds with two acts of obedience: He names his son Isaac as the Lord had commanded in Genesis 17:19 and Abraham circumcised his son Isaac on the eighth day as God commanded in Genesis 17:10-11.
The name was given to the boy before he was even conceived. The given name of Isaac means "he laughs." We wonder who "he" is that laughs? Is it Abraham whose faith and patience has finally come to fruition? It doesn't seem so in the text since Abraham's emotions are not even mentioned. Only his quick and accurate obedience is documented. Surely, Abraham felt joy, but the anticipation of the future and his immediate responsibilities caused Abraham to set celebration aside and focus on the mission, which was: (1) naming the son, and, (2) circumcising the son. Abraham was more focused on being obedient with the blessing than rejoicing in the blessing. Abraham knew the blessing came with a purpose and that purpose gave the blessing meaning. Possibly, for Abraham the joy was demonstrated in performing purposeful obedience with the blessing God had given him.
After all, the text says, "Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him." Abraham had seen enough to know that this is a time for action and obedience. This is the moment Abraham had been waiting for. This is the result of 25 years of standing in faith and trusting God. It is now finally time for Abraham to put his faith into obedient action concerning his heir and his nation's future. |
