An encounter with God never leaves you the same as you were before. In Genesis 17, Abraham is deeply changed, in his identity and even bodily.
"Abram" means "exalted father." God changes his name, however, to "Abraham," which means "father of many." With this alteration, God reveals that He is about to do amazing things in Abraham's life. He will become a father of many nations.
Sarah's name is changed, too. She goes from "Sarai" to "Sarah," meaning "princess." Sarah will bear a son, God promises, and she will become the matriarch of many nations.
Abraham, perhaps pretending not to hear his last part, asks for God's blessing upon his son Ishmael. But God reiterates that it is Sarah's son - to be named Isaac ("laughter") - who will inherit the covenant promises.
And about that covenant...Covenants are often accompanied by a sign. Such as the rainbow, in the case of the covenant with Noah. Or the wedding rings, in the event of marriage. The sign of the covenant with Abraham? Circumcision.
(Guess who's not laughing now!)
As stated previously, this encounter with God left Abraham a changed man indeed!
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