By Teena Myers

Observations as I follow God through the Chronological Bible

Genesis 17[1]

God had a lot to say to Abram in chapter 17. He started the conversation with a rebuke.

I am Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.[2]

To Abram, fourteen years had elapsed since the last time God spoke to him. As God perceives time a mere twenty minutes after Abram and Sarai produced a son to fulfill God’s plan, he rebuked Abram for listening to Sarai, a flesh person, to accomplish what “the Spirit” of God promised. 

God did not need Sarai’s help. Sarai’s plan oppressed a servant girl and made both of their lives miserable. Abram’s compliance and then indifference toward a person suffering under his authority created generations of misery. God loves his people, but he will not close his eyes when they sin in his name. God will judge them.  

When God speaks, he will bring what he spoke to pass. If we are not faithful to wait for God, we will be the antonym of blameless–blamable. The way we do something is more important than what we do. He has the power and the time to accomplish his purposes without using and abusing people to get what he wants.

If you want to be blameless, wait for God to fulfill his promises to you.

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[1] All scripture quotes are from the NIV Bible unless otherwise noted.

[2] Genesis 17:1-2