1. 
   

   Notes for Gen. 17: 1-7, 15-16

   
   
2. 
   

   The lectionary makes a decision to skip over the sign of the covenant here, circumcision. I guess that’s a partial explanation about why we don’t have more hymns about it.

   
   
3. 
   

   The name change goes from father is great to father of many.. Sarah receives a name change too: it means princess/female leader

   
   
4. 
   

   El Shaddai is translated as God Almighty- we have choices for the root. It could emerge from God of the mountains, or breasts (some mountains have a rounded contour), as a symbol of nurture or fertility, or God the overpowering/the destroyer. See #7.

   
   
5. 
   

   At the end, we have material on laughter. What is the source of the laughter here: relief, a promise fulfilled, at misunderstanding for now he will be the progenitor of the Hagar and Sarah line, mocking at the thought of a child in old age?

   
   
6. 
   

   In two weeks, two covenant markers, so this could be a tiem to speak of covenant. Presbyterians could even go back to the Scottish tradition of covenant that formed churches that eventually became part of PCUSA

   
   
7. 
   

   Remember that through Colossians 2 we tie infant baptism to circumcision. Jesus was circumcised at 8 days old.

   
   
8. 
   

   We are in mythic territory with its meaning. A sense of cutting of somehow betokens inclusion. It is a mrk, as Jacob was marked after wrestling with the angel. Recall Zipporah and the destroyer in Ex.4:24

   
   
9. 
   

   The rainbow is everlasting, as is the covenant with Abraham. Certainly this natural sign is more ‘personal.” Reflect on how different religious signs and symbols work for you.

   
   
10. 
    

    Of course the laughter here cannot be laughter for Hagar and Ishmael in terms of inheritance.



11. 
    

    Of course, thsi is a good place to talk about growing old. Alternately, God can work even though physical reality says differently. Again, what is impossible for God?