Abraham and Sarah Receive New Names and a Promise

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, Yahweh appeared to him and told him to walk before him and be blameless. God said he would make his covenant with Abram and multiply him exceedingly. Abram fell with his face to the ground as God spoke with him.

God said Abram would no longer be called Abram, but Abraham, because he would be the father of a multitude of nations. Nations and kings would come from him. God would keep this covenant with Abraham and his offspring, and give them the land of Canaan.

Then God told Abraham to keep the covenant. Every male was to be circumcised as its sign, including sons born in the household and males bought from foreigners. Boys were to receive this sign at eight days old. Anyone who refused it would be cut off from his people for breaking the covenant.

God also changed Sarai's name to Sarah. He said he would bless her and give Abraham a son by her, and kings of peoples would come from her. Abraham fell on his face and laughed, wondering how a child could be born to a man of one hundred and a woman of ninety. He asked God about Ishmael.

God answered that Sarah would bear a son, and Abraham was to name him Isaac. God's covenant would be established with Isaac, whom Sarah would bear at that set time the next year. Ishmael would also be blessed and become a great nation. That same day Abraham obeyed and circumcised every male in his household, including himself at ninety-nine and Ishmael at thirteen. What do you notice about Abraham's response once God had spoken?