Abram is stepping into God’s promises with a new name, Abraham. God Himself changes his name. Genesis 17:5 What’s more, I am changing your name. It will no longer be Abram. Instead, you will be called Abraham, for you will be the father of many nations.[1]
Abram means “exalted father” and probably refers to his father, Terah. Now, his name is Abraham or “father of a multitude.” God is changing his focus from his background to his descendants.[2] God has promised many descendants multiple times. Now, with his new name, Abraham will be reminded of God’s promise every time someone uses his name.
Sarai to Sarah
Obviously, Abraham can’t father many nations alone. God also changes Abraham’s wife’s name for her part. Genesis 17: 15 Then God said to Abraham, “Regarding Sarai, your wife—her name will no longer be Sarai. From now on her name will be Sarah. 16 And I will bless her and give you a son from her! Yes, I will bless her richly, and she will become the mother of many nations. Kings of nations will be among her descendants.” [3]
Strong’s Lexicon says Sarai means “princess” and Sarah means “noblewoman.”[4] God seems to be strengthening the name since He promised Sarah would be the mother of kings. She, too, has a part in God’s covenant with His promises.
Isaac
As Sarah and Abraham begin stepping into God’s promises with a new name, God also named their future son, Isaac. Genesis 17: 17 Then Abraham bowed down to the ground, but he laughed to himself in disbelief. “How could I become a father at the age of 100?” he thought. “And how can Sarah have a baby when she is ninety years old?” …19 But God replied, “No—Sarah, your wife, will give birth to a son for you. You will name him Isaac.[5]
Isaac means laughter. Abraham was bowing before God in respect when he received the news of their child. Abraham laughed at how God would accomplish the promise of descendants. Ironically, he laughed at the very thing that would make him a father of nations. Moving forward in the story, there will be more laughter: Sarah and everyone who hears of the birth will laugh.
Our New Name as Believers
Jesus restores us when we believe, and we become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! [6] As new creations, we receive a new title: children of God. John 1:12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. [7] As the children of God, we can step into His promises of restored life here and eternal life after this earthly life ends. To learn more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/covenant-gods-promise-of-faithfulness
[1,3,5-7] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.
[2] Ross, A., & Oswalt, J. N. (2008). Cornerstone biblical commentary: Genesis, Exodus (Vol. 1, p. 120). Tyndale House Publishers.
[4] Strong, J. (1995). In Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship.