And God is gone. We don't have a clear expression of God's omniscience at this point in the biblical narrative. God has not revealed himself as redeemer. God has not necessarily even revealed his name. There is no threat either. No, "or else." No, "if you don't..." Just a promise and a command. You will have a son. Circumcise all the males of your family. Perhaps here we need to read "family" as "household," a very extended grouping of people related to Abraham in any manner whatsoever.
