Who Is God? How God Introduced Himself to Abram
The simple thought of introducing myself to a room full of people makes my heart race. Even though this is something I have done countless times, it never gets any easier. I usually go over what I’m going to say to introduce myself in my head, and it usually ends up being something short and sweet with the possibility of getting a bit awkward.
However, God’s introductions to His creation are never awkward. In the Bible we read how He greets different people in both the Old and New Testaments. While the way in which He introduces himself to people may vary, one particular introduction stood out to me.
As I studied the Abrahamic covenant, which begins with the call of Abram in Genesis 12, followed by the covenant in chapter 15, I was surprised by how confidently God reintroduced Himself to Abram in Genesis 17. The beginning reads, “When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.”
In God’s introduction to Abram, He declares:
Who he is
In the first part, He reveals who he is using the adjective Almighty which in Hebrew is translated El Shaddai, a name that denotes God’s power. Whether you hold a position of power at your job or in an organization, it is unlikely that you, and definitely not I, would introduce ourselves that way. Only the God with all authority now and forever could do this.
In Ephesians 1:21, Paul addresses God’s power and authority. He says that through Christ, God has ”far above all rule and authority and power and dominion,” and His name is “above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.” He is God Almighty. Not only now, but forever.
What we must do
The second part of this introduction is a two part command for Abram, “walk before me, and be blameless.” God’s authority commands Abram to walk in His ways. As Abraham and his people would enter into covenant with the Lord through circumcision, he was called to be righteous before God.
This requirement is true for us today. We are called to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the great and first commandment” (Matthew 22:37-38). In his first letter, Peter encourages persecuted Christians in their faith. He reminds them to be holy, to be blameless (1 Peter 1:16).
At that moment Abram did not quite know what God was about to promise him. The Lord was about to establish a covenant with him, one where Abram would be the father of all nations and would bless him and his descendants greatly. In this same conversation God would change Abram and Sarai’s identities, much like He changes ours when we profess our faith in Him. We know that those who believe are made new (2 Corinthians 5:17).
What He will do
The third and final part of God’s introduction is what He will do through the covenant He will make with Abram. God promises “that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly” (Genesis 17:2). As we read the story of Abraham and his descendants we read about how they lie, cheat, and deceive others. Yet through all of this, Matthew chapter 1 recounts Abraham’s lineage, one that would bring us our Savior, the promised Messiah, Jesus.
God will not introduce himself to many of us the way He did with Abram, but the commands and promises that follow His bold introduction still apply to us. It is because of who God is that we can walk with Him and throughout our lives and see the wondrous deeds of God.
How has God introduced Himself to you? What has He shown you?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Meagan Gutierrez is a kindergarten teacher in New York City. She is married to her best friend and together they love to travel and eat good food. In her spare time, Meagan loves to serve others and enjoys reading!