offspring, fertile fields and flocks, harmony within the clan, and freedom from oppression. Emphasis falls on this word “blessing,” which occurs five times. By its nature a blessing is a process that takes considerable time for its realization. Thus in calling Abram God was looking far into the future. The third promise is that God would make his name great. In this promise God addressed the human search for recognition and respect and thus provided the proper way to fame, in bold contrast to the