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promise God had given him. Haran, Lot, Eliazar, Egypt, Hagar, and Ishmael all had to be dealt
with before Abraham would see the fulfillment of any of God’s promises to him. After all of
these leaning props fell out from under him, Abraham finally leaned on the Word (Romans
4:20-21). God promised it, God would perform it.

7:5 promised, epangello (ep-ang-el-bow); To engage, to profess, to assert something

concerning oneself, to announce what one is about to do (an intention), to render a
service, to make a commitment, to pledge to do something. Here epangello is God’s
assurance to Abraham that the land He showed him was for him and his descendents.

Act 7:6 And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that
they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years.

Abraham finally became strong and trusted God even to the point of offering Isaac. He knew
God would raise him from the dead (Genesis 22). Under Isaac, the Israelites continued downhill
until they went into captivity under Joseph. Seventy-five people went into captivity, 400 years
later, 2 million came out.

Act 7:7 And the nation to whom they shall be in bondage will I judge, said God: and after that

shall they come forth, and serve me in this place.

THE COVENANT OF CIRCUMCISION

Act 7:8 And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and

circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs.

Circumcision was instituted to show the coming new covenant -- the new birth. It was a
continual reminder of Israel’s spiritual foundation, a nation which began supernaturally after all
other races and nations. Circumcision meant new beginnings. Children were circumcised on
the eighth day. The number eight meant nothing to the Jews. They would have related more
to the number seven (Sabbath, Jubilee, etc.). Circumcision was also a continual reminder of the
Abrahamic covenant, which was established on faith.

Having the father or doctor perform the circumcision was a reminder of the grace of God. As
the child grew, his circumcision was a sign of something that occurred while he was completely
dependent. Finally, circumcision was a reminder of the coming Messiah.

Today, we do not worship on the seventh day or even the first day. We worship on the eighth
day. We are living in the new covenant, the day of new beginnings (2 Corinthians 5:17).