El Shaddai, Covenant Renewal, and the Call to Walk Blamelessly -Genesis 17
- Hyunjin Lee
- Nov 19, 2025
- 3 min read
Genesis 17 is one of the most important covenant chapters in Scripture. Here, God reveals Himself to Abram with a new name, gives Abram and Sarai new names, renews His covenant, and commands circumcision as a sign of belonging to Him. This chapter is full of identity, promise, and the transforming grace of God.
1. God Reveals Himself as El Shaddai (God Almighty)
“I am El Shaddai; walk before Me and be blameless.” (Gen. 17:1)
This is the first time God introduces Himself as El Shaddai—“The Almighty God,” the One who is not limited by natural laws and who fulfills His promises with unlimited power. Throughout Scripture, God appears as El Shaddai to His people in their weakness, fear, and suffering:
To Jacob when he fled and later returned (Gen. 35:11)
To Moses when he doubted (Exod. 6:3)
To Job in his deep pain (Job 40:2)
Here, God reminds Abram:“Your age does not limit My promise. My power fulfills My word.”
2. “Walk Before Me and Be Blameless”
“Walk before me” literally means “walk in My sight.”It is a call to live every moment knowing God sees, guides, and sustains us.
“Blameless” (Heb. tamim) does not mean moral perfection. It means a wholehearted, sincere life pointed toward God—obedient, honest, and willing to grow. God calls Abram to this because He does not want Abram to repeat the mistake of chapter 16 (Hagar).
God’s presence → our obedience → His promise fulfilled.
3. Abram Falls on His Face in Worship (17:3)
Abram’s posture—falling facedown—is deep reverence, repentance, and surrender. This shows he is no longer hiding or defending his choices. He brings his past failures (including the family conflict caused by Hagar) honestly before God.
True worship flows from a repentant heart.
4. God Renews the Covenant with “I” Seven Times
In verses 3–8, God repeats “I” seven times, emphasizing:
I will make you the father of nations.
I will establish My covenant.
I will give you the land.
I will be your God.
The covenant depends entirely on God’s faithfulness, not Abram’s performance. Likewise, our salvation rests not on our works but on God’s grace (Eph. 2:1–9).
5. New Names: A New Identity
Abram → Abraham (“Exalted father” → “Father of many nations”)
God changes Abram’s identity from a man with no child to a man whose descendants would bless the world.
Sarai → Sarah (“My princess” → “Princess / noblewoman of nations”)
She is no longer simply Abraham’s wife; she becomes a matriarch of kings and nations.
God transforms not only their future but also their identity.
6. Circumcision: The Covenant Sign (17:9–14)
Circumcision symbolized:
Belonging to God
Separation from the world
Purity and reverence
A heart devoted to God
A visible sign of a spiritual reality
In the New Testament, the physical ritual becomes circumcision of the heart (Rom. 2:25–29) and is fulfilled in baptism (Col. 2:11–12).
7. The Grace of God Toward Ishmael (17:20)
God hears Abraham's plea for Ishmael (“I have heard you”).Not only does Ishmael live, but God blesses him abundantly.
God’s kindness exceeds what Abraham even asked for.
8. Abraham’s Beautiful Obedience (17:23–27)
Abraham obeyed:
Completely
Exactly as God instructed
Immediately (“on that very day”)
Despite his age (99) and difficulty
Including everyone under his care
Faith that trusts God always expresses itself through obedient action.
Key Lessons for Us Today
1. God meets us with power when we are weak.
El Shaddai breaks the limits that seem impossible to us.
2. God calls us to walk sincerely, not perfectly.
He desires a whole heart, not flawless behavior.
3. God restores identity before fulfilling destiny.
He renamed Abram and Sarai before fulfilling the promise.
Comments