Parables of the Bible: Abram's Call

By: Wilona Riva

Disclaimer: I don't own the Bible.


Sharp Silver


When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, "I am God Almighty, walk before me and be blameless. I will confirm My covenant between me and you and I will greatly increase your numbers." (Genesis 17:1-2)

Abram shook his head in disbelief as he recalled the Great King's words. "I must have been dreaming them," he told Keturah. She gave him a knowing look.

Sarai said nothing as she carded the goat's hair. Soon she would spin it and weave it into a new cloak for Abram. His current one looked a bit shabby.

"As for Me, this is My covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham." (Genesis 17:4-5)

The Great King never broke a promise. He never made one lightly either.

"You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the convenant between you and Me." (Genesis 17:11)

Abram got up and left the tent. Soon Keturah and Sarai heard the sound of the calling horn as the camp was called to meeting.

"What do you think could be going on?" Sarai asked her.

Keturah shrugged. She was just as curious and confused as Sarai.

Something was off about Abram today.

God also said to Abraham, "As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah. I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her." (Genesis 17:15-16a)

"Hear me, my people!" Abram projected his voice.

His son, Ishmael, proudly knew this day would come. His father was going to finally acknowledge him as his heir before the whole camp. He was six now and the only son of his father's loins.

"The God of my fathers came to me this night. He has chosen to make a convenant with our people to always be our God and has promised to increase our numbers."

Ishmael shifted uncomfortably. What is Father talking about?

"We, in turn, have been asked to be a righteous people. El Shaddai doesn't expect us to be perfect people; He knows we can never be that. He wants us to walk in His ways."

"What sign did He demand?" one of the elders asked. It was common knowledge in those parts, that gods always demanded something in return for their favors.

"Tomorrow, every male in the camp, foreigner and tribesman, from eight days old to old men like me, will report to the healing tent and undergo circumcision," he answered, noting a few of the men unconsciously move their hands to protect their 'family jewels'.

Ishmael winced at the mention of the bloody ritual. How could the great God of my father demand this?

But Abram was speaking again.

Abram fell face down; he laughed. (Genesis 17:17a)

"No longer am I to be called 'Abram'," the patriarch told the tribe. "I am to be henceforth known as 'Abraham'!"

A few people in the crowd glanced over at Ishmael, who beamed with pride.

"A good choice," a goldsmith said, admiring the youth. "A virile stud he will be, when he gets older. 'Father of many nations' indeed."

"Sarai is no longer to be called by her old name. The LORD has renamed her 'Sarah'; my princess!"

Hagar ground her teeth in anger.

Bad enough that woman ruled the roost in Abram's tent; now she had to endure her inflated ego even more.

How much more would she have to endure this?

"But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you by this time next year." (Genesis 17:21)

The LORD waited patiently for Moses to quit laughing. "Are you quite finished?"

Moses, a twitter escaping his lips, burst out laughing again.

The LORD had to crack a grin at the memory of why He'd chosen that particular name for Abraham and Sarah's only child.