The Circumcision

Bible passages needed for study of this chapter:

Luke 2:21

Genesis 17:1-14

Jeremiah 4:1-4

Acts 7:51-52

1 Corinthians 7:17-20

Galatians 6:14-15

Genesis 17:15-20

Genesis 18:12-15

For the circumcision of Christ, please read Luke 2:21.

That was short and to the point, wasn't it? Okay, close the book, end of chapter—or is there more to discover in Luke's slight but powerful passage? Does a deeper message lie within these words, beyond the customary practice of circumcision and beyond the simple naming of a child? What does Jesus ask us to learn from these verses and how did God foretell this moment and build our understanding over the years of teachings found in the Old Testament? Let's look closer to find not only the hidden meaning, but also the beauty in which this passage comes to be a significant starting point for our faith as Christians. Even our names are, as was the naming of Jesus, blessed and important to God.

In reviewing Luke 2:21, it is important to note that Joseph and Mary were following Jewish custom (established by God in Genesis 17:12) when they had eight-day old Jesus circumcised. Also, the name brought forth on this day was predestined. The name of Jesus was first brought to Mary by the angel Gabriel whom God sent prior to conception (Luke 1:26) and was then announced again to Joseph in a dream (Matthew 2:21). However, the first time the name "Jesus" would have publicly been declared would have been during this holy ceremony, signifying the covenant between God and man. From His heavenly throne God orchestrated the actions, words and timing for His angels to appear on Earth to guide (and name) His salvation plan.

How do you think God's angels marked these days on their heavenly calendars? Did they leap for joy, sing great hymns of praise or blast their trumpets with the triumphant news? The promised Savior was on his way! The mother was chosen, the father advised and the child born. But it was not until the day of his circumcision that the child would be lawfully given his name and it forever written into time. There would be no turning back. Each earthly day would pass as all of heaven took notice and rejoiced in the strength, wisdom and handiwork of their God, now inherited by and thriving in His only Son, Jesus Christ.

CIRCUMCISION IN THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS

We do not have to read far into the Bible before the Covenant of Circumcision is established. We find it in the first book of the Bible, Genesis. In Chapter 17 God appeared to Abram with a specific purpose in mind. He desired a covenant to mark the close relationship between Abram (including his household and descendants) and their One True God. Let's read it to determine the ground rules. Open to Genesis 17:1-14 and read the story that became the "Covenant of Circumcision" and the beginning of the 12 tribes of Israel that would follow God throughout the Old Testament and serve as a human chain, linking finally to the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

In verse 2 God speaks of establishing a covenant with him and then He says He will make numerous Abram's descendants. To date, however, ninety-nine year old Abram had no legitimate children and only one son named Ishmael, born to him 13 years prior by his wife's maidservant named Hagar. Had God only formed this covenant with Abram, it could have easily expired upon his death. But God protected His everlasting covenant through Ishmael and a future birth to Sarai (90 years old) and Abram (100 years old); a son named Isaac.

The mark of circumcision, made by cutting away the foreskin, allowed the covenant to be a visible seal within the flesh. In return, God promises Abram that He will be his God and the God of his descendants—a unique relationship between God and man is born. You must admit one thing about good ole Abram—he was an astute follower. At least, that is, enough to accept the circumcision deal from God as stated without trying to negotiate out of the pain. Sometimes it seems we are much more bold than our predecessors as we attempt to strike deals with God when He asks a lot of us. A lesson from obedient Abram is a good thing to remember.

God changed Abram's name to Abraham in verse 5. We will talk more about this later ... stay tuned.

Ponder for a moment this message from God to Abram (now Abraham). God chose a small and intimate group for circumcision so He could properly build up His people. He did not include everyone in the village or town. He did not advise them to circumcise every traveler who came by. He chose to build everything upon the stable foundation of Abraham. The intimate direction and instruction from God to His people would be essential to these earliest followers. God did, however, continue to grow His base throughout the Old Testament. For instance, it is interesting that in the book of Leviticus 23:42 when God directs the Israelites to celebrate a Feast of Booths, He includes only the native Israelites. Then, in the later chapter of Deuteronomy 16:14, He would add the community's Levite, alien, orphan and widow to the Feast of Booths invitation list. It was not until His only Son came to Earth that all of us would be included on the "salvation" invitation list. Halleluiah!

If circumcision was an old law pertaining to the covenant between God and the Jews in the Old Testament, then what is the significance of circumcision in the New Testament? Was it addressed in the writings of Christ's apostles and disciples? How can one law be so important in the Old Testament and not remain so in the New Testament? Does circumcision fall to the wayside because it is too difficult to enforce or is there a metamorphosis of sorts taking place within the new Christian community?

Although we did some work above as we uncovered the beginning of this covenant between Abraham and God, you may find it interesting to note that circumcision is discussed in many of the Old Testament books. Below is a review of the highlights:

* First, the law is established in Genesis.

* In Exodus, the law is specified again as a Passover Feast requirement, in that no man uncircumcised may partake in the festivities; however, foreigners living among the Israelites could participate as long as they "went under the knife" first. (Wow, that is quite a hefty cover charge!)

* Leviticus, a book containing the prescribed ritual laws of the tribe of Levi, also addresses who should be circumcised and when. Later in Leviticus, and again in Deuteronomy, "Circumcision of the Heart" begins to unfold. As the circumcised continue to defy and rebel against God, a new conversion is spoken of. It is not enough to merely "look" holy in the flesh, but it is the heart that must also be cut open (or humbled) for God to enter. Hardened hearts and closed minds were causing the people to fall away from God leaving them helpless and lost—not only "literally" in the desert, but...