Ancestral Covenant

2. Ancestral Covenant

The covenant through Abraham (Genesis 17) is more restricted than the creation covenant because it is ultimately nationalistic in scope. In this covenant God assures the ancestral family that it will become a nation under his care and protection. This covenant differs from the creation covenant also in requiring a ritual action from the ancestral family to demonstrate commitment on their part. This takes the form of the circumcision of all males in the ancestral household (see Chapter 2).