Scripture: Genesis 17:10-11
“This is my covenant with you and your
descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall
be circumcised. You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the
covenant between me and you.”
Circumcision? Really, God?
Why did God choose circumcision? Why choose to
make the sign of His covenant something that only males could participate in?
And why make something that only the individual would see most of the time?
Shouldn’t the sign have been something that was a witness to other people?
Male only: God was confirming that men are
the leaders of their households. If the men are following God’s covenant, they
should have enough influence over the women in their lives that they will also
follow God’s covenant.
Circumcision: By choosing to mark a male’s
manhood, He was showing him that just as he is the leader of his household, so
God is his leader. God has so much authority over him that he can even demand this
mark in the sign of his manhood.
Private: This sign was something that only
the individual man would see most of the time because his relationship with God
is to be a personal matter. He must follow the covenant himself, not simply as
a member of a community. If he’s doing so, his life will be an example to
others.
Whereas God doesn’t require circumcision under our
new covenant in Christ, all of these concepts are still valid in the Christian
life. Think today about how you can lead your family in this new covenant. How
can you acknowledge God as being your leader? Are you following Him personally,
or going along with the rest of your church community?
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Find your next reading on my Devotions page!
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