Results 1 - 2 of 2
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | What was the purpose of circumcision? | Gen 17:10 | seanD | 223301 | ||
I've been asking several people this questions and it seems like no one really knows. What was the purpose for circumcision? Why did God initiate this procedure? What was its meaning? Sean |
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2 | What was the purpose of circumcision? | Gen 17:10 | MJH | 223383 | ||
Gen 12 - Abram is given the Promise. I will bless you, make you into a great nation, all nations on earth will be blessed through you, and the Land will be yours. No Sign of this covenant Promise given. Gen 15 - Abram is given the covenant Promise in covenant form. God "cuts" a covenant with Abram and repeats the promises. No sign of the covenant is given. Gen. 16 - Abram has Ishmael with Hagar. He attempts to make God's promise come true in his own strength. If Abram does not have a child, God is proved to be a liar. Abram solves the problem, so he thinks for the next 13 years. He assumes the blessing is reckoned through Ishmael. Gen. 17 - Abram believes God and it is credited as righteousness. God promises a son, the Promised son, through Sarah. God gives the sign of the covenant Promise--circumcision. Why not given until now? Because Abraham needed to understand that God's Promise (all of it) will come about in God's time and way. Circumcision is a physical reminder of that fact. It is neither by Abram’s works nor ours that the Promise of God will come to all nations. By cutting the very part of the body that attempted to secure the Promise in his own strength; the part of the body that signified a man’s power and strength, the People of God would be reminded of this Promise and that it would not come about by their (or their child’s) ability, strength, cunning, or wisdom, but by God's alone. Joshua 5. All the people who were born in the wilderness wanderings were not circumcised. Why? When the first generation refused to trust God's promise of the land by entering; and then trying to conquer it on their own strength, they proved themselves to be faithless. They did not trust in the Promise of God and therefore they were forbidden to participate in the sign of the promise. They were faithless so they can not perform the covenant sign of faith in the Promise. When the next generation is ready to enter the land, and they do trust God, they get circumcision. (This is a further proof of trust, because it made them extremely vulnerable at the door step of their enemies.) The prophets repeatedly say that one should be “circumcised of heart.” Having a surgery performed on you at eight days old did not demonstrate your own acceptance of the Promise. Circumcised of heart is true Faith in the Promise which is by far more important than an outward physical sign. In Paul’s day and some time earlier, circumcision was seen as a way for Gentiles to join the community. Rather than an outward sign of true faith, it became the means to join God’s people and therefore was a “work of the law” to get saved. That’s turning the original meaning Abraham was shown upside down. If circumcision is seen as a way to get saved, then better to stay uncircumcised. Circumcision of the heart (as spoken of by the Prophets) was and is the main issue. Yet, Paul does not toss out the commandment as is seen in circumcising Titus (or was that Timothy?) and proving in Acts 21-22 that he was not teaching against the Jews circumcising their children. I hope that helps. Please note: you should do due diligence in seeking answers to your questions. My answer may not be that common, but I am certain that gifted teachers here will comment should they feel I am off base…which I welcome. |
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