Father Part 2
Genesis 17:4 NLT
“This is my covenant with you: I will make you the father of a multitude of nations!'
Biological children
God is speaking to ninety-nine year old Abraham in this verse. Ishmael, Abraham’s son with Hagar, was already born. But, God was not referring to this son. Abraham will father a biological son with his eighty-nine year old wife, Sarah. This miracle son would be the fulfillment of his covenant with God.
Spiritual children
Nations means ‘peoples of all nationalities’ (1). Because of this extraordinary covenant, God will honor Abraham with not only biological descendants, but spiritual descendants as well. Abraham’s seed of faith will spawn spiritual children from people of all nationalities who will worship the God of the Hebrews.
Paraphrase:
I am God and I am making a unique covenant with you, Abraham. Seal this covenant by believing My promise with all your heart. If you do, I will perform a miracle. Both you and Sarah will have biological descendants. Then, I will perform another miracle. Your seed of faith will spread to other peoples of all nationalities. They will believe My words with all their hearts and worship Me just like you do and because of you. They will be your spiritual descendants. You will be a father to all of these people and highly revered.
That’s what father means in this verse.
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