God enters into a covenant with Abraham (v7). The covenant is about two parties committing themselves wholeheartedly to each other. God’s commitment is not just to Abraham but to his family. God works through families and makes here a wonderful promise to bless believers and their children. Believers need to hold unto this promise and remind God of it in their praying.

God promises to Abraham’s family, Canaan as an everlasting possession (v8), it is the Promised Land and points to the greater Promised Land in heaven. Having a home speaks of knowing security and in Christ alone God gives His people everlasting security.

Abraham needs to respond to God’s covenant by applying the sign of circumcision to himself and his family (v9-14). This is to be an everlasting covenant (v13) and the promises of God still hold to all believers in regards to their children as all believers are children of Abraham (Galatians 3 v29).

Circumcision is replaced by baptism (see Colossians 2 v11-12). Believing parents in having their children baptised are holding on to God’s wonderful promises in regards their children.