One evening, as Abraham stood outside his tent, something strange happened. Everywhere became silent and the air thickened with holy presence.
The LORD appeared to Abraham, radiant and mighty, as if clothed in lightning. His voice rolled like thunder but spoke peace:
"I am El Shaddai — God Almighty. Walk before Me, Abraham, and be blameless."
Abraham trembled and fell facedown in the dust. God's voice continued like a song written before time:
"I will make a covenant with you, one that will multiply your descendants beyond number. Nations will rise from your name. Kings will trace their crowns to your line."
Then came the moment that would mark history.
"You will no longer be called Abram — 'exalted father' — but Abraham, 'father of many.' And your wife, Sarai — her name shall be Sarah, for she will be the mother of nations."
Abraham gasped. His old heart swelled with wonder and confusion. "How can this be?" he thought. "I am a hundred years old, and Sarah is ninety!" He laughed quietly to himself, not out of mockery, but awe.
Still bowed low, he whispered to the Eternal One, "O Lord, may Ishmael live under Your blessing."
God nodded gently.
"I have heard you, and I will bless Ishmael. He will be the father of twelve great rulers, and I will make him a great nation. But the covenant — the everlasting bond — will rest with Isaac, the son Sarah will bear for you this time next year."
Heaven grew still again, and God's presence withdrew into the light of the sky.
Abraham rose, shaken but filled with new purpose. That very same day, with no hesitation, he took Ishmael, every servant born or bought, and all the men of his household — and performed the sacred rite God commanded.
Each male, from the oldest to the newborn, was marked in the flesh with the sign of the covenant: circumcision.
Abraham was ninety-nine years old. Ishmael was thirteen. And yet they obeyed without question. That was the beginning of something eternal — a physical mark for a spiritual promise.
And so the covenant was sealed — in faith, in flesh, and in forever.