Tag Archives: circumcision

Deuteronomy 10

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Vs. 12, “And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.”  What a wonderful and eloquent reminder of our duty and heartfelt response to our LORD!  In the first half of our chapter (vs. 1-11), Moses finishes up God’s response to his intercession for the Israelites.  God’s grace was evident in the fact that new stone tablets were to be replaced.  God was following up on His covenant!  In the latter half of our chapter (vs. 12-22), Moses takes the time to explain a clear understanding of what the 2nd generation was getting themselves into.  God was partnering up with the Israelites and they needed to know what this renewed partnership entailed.  We see words like “fear”, “walk”, “love”, “serve” that are imperatives to living up to this partnership with God!  We also see a wonderful picture of God’s compassion towards the fatherless, widow and foreigner (vs. 18).

Regarding application…Cutting Time.  Vs. 16, “Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer.”  Circumcision aside from the obvious meaning, also served as a covenant sign between God and Abraham.  Yet, throughout scripture, we are also given a deeper understanding what true circumcision is.  It’s much more than the cutting of skin, it is the cutting of our hearts.  Question: How is your heart?  Circumcision of the heart is going to entail us cutting away the things that we are putting first before the Lord.  When I was younger in my walk and was putting secular music on a pedestal, I realized I was putting this first.  So I threw out all my tapes and CD’s.  It was cutting time for me.  If I hear secular music now, it’s not a big deal any longer.  I cut that priority in my life.  Sure, sometimes it’s nice to reminisce when I hear an old 80’s song.  But secular music no longer is a stumbling block for me.  I had to let that go.  Question: What do you need to cut in your life?

Exodus 4

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Vs. 1, “Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you?”  Moses continues his worries about being the wrong man for the job.  But God patiently calms Moses fears by giving him the ability to do signs and wonders that would help God’s people believe (vs. 2-9).  Yet, Moses in exasperation pleads that he can’t speak well and to send someone else (vs. 10-13).  While we are told God was angry (vs. 14), there certainly was no coincidence that God would happen to orchestrate Aaron traveling to see Moses.  It wasn’t always an easy partnership with Moses & Aaron, but God would work in them.  Upon getting Jethro’s blessings (vs. 18), Moses and his family begin the journey back to Egypt.  It is a bit shocking to see that the LORD nearly killed Moses along the way (vs. 24).  Question: Why?  Moses had not circumcised one of his sons (vs. 25-26).  When God gives commands, we would be quite foolish to not obey them.  Some scholars believe Moses didn’t circumcise one of his sons to appease his Midianite family.   And the latter section of our chapter, we see the hope of God’s promises come true as Moses reveals to the Israelites their deliverance!

Regarding application…A Hardened Heart.  Vs. 21, “The Lord said to Moses, “When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have given you the power to do. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go.”  Question: How’s the condition of your heart today?  Interestingly enough throughout the book of Exodus, ten times we are told God hardened Pharaoh’s heart and ten times we are told Pharaoh hardened his own heart.   It doesn’t make sense, yet we are given both perspectives.  Did one come before the other?  Regardless, Pharaoh was given the choice, but chose to harden his heart.  God obliged and let it happen.  It is serious business when it comes to our heart condition.  Take time to examine your heart and reach out to God!

Genesis 34

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Vs. 2, “When Shechem son of Hamor the Hivite, the ruler of that area, saw her, he took her and raped her.”  While some biblical interpreters try to downplay the rape, Jacob’s sons would not have responded so violently and deceitfully if this had not been a forcible situation.  The world that we live in is a violent one and women are often victims.  As we read yesterday, Jacob had decided to settle in Shechem which was a mistake.  He should have gone down to Bethel.  Instead, his daughter is raped, his sons plot a deceitful revenge, and the men of Shechem would be massacred.  Question: Why are we subjected to such a crazy story?  I suppose a response to violence with violence is not the end all be all.  We must be wise in how we respond.  Of course, the Lord will be the one to avenge (Deuteronomy 32:35).

Regarding application…Bad Company.  Vs. 1, “Now Dinah, the daughter Leah had borne to Jacob, went out to visit the women of the land.”  Shechem was not a good place to allow a beautiful woman on her own to venture out in.  I can’t help but think that Jacob’s lack of discernment was a part of this debacle.  Nothing good stays out late.  It would be like a father allowing his teenager daughter out after midnight.  It’s irresponsible and there are many dangers that could present themselves.  This is kind of the thought of what happened with Jacob and his daughter Dinah.  It’s a sad story, but I believe it is recorded here in the Bible to teach all of us a lesson about being wise.  On a lighter note, please have a blessed week and turn to the Lord!

Genesis 17

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Vs. 5, “No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, c for I have made you a father of many nations.”  Abram (father is exalted) would now have his named changed to Abraham (Father of a multitude) and Sarai would have her name updated (vs. 15) to Sarah (princess).   The Almighty God (El Shaddai-Ēl-Šaddaı̂), would remind Abraham of His covenantal promise.  Bear in mind, it has been thirteen long years after Ishmael’s birth in our previous chapter.  On this fourth occasion of appearance, the LORD would command Abraham to walk before Him (vs. 1).  The word blameless is not to be perfect, but to be wholly devoted to God.  It is this idea of a relationship as Abraham walks with God just as we go on walks with our loved ones.  The LORD would establish His covenant through sign: circumcision.  Question: What is the significance of this?  The practice of circumcision was not a new concept at the time.  But the LORD God would now give it a new purpose and special meaning.  Circumcision was to be a reminder of God’s grace upon His people.  It was an active response of faith and obedience.  Sadly, over the years, people attributed circumcision as a perquisite for salvation.  The early church centuries later would have a big debate (Acts 15) regarding circumcision.  In the latter half of our chapter, the LORD God would remind Abraham that His promise regarding Sarah having a child (Isaac – laughter) would be fulfilled (vs. 15-22).

Regarding application…New Identity.  Throughout our history, the meaning of a name holds much significance.  Sometimes we name our child after someone in our families whom we have a deep respect.  Some have named their child from a popular movie star, athlete, singer, etc.  Names tend to express who we are.  When we are introduced to someone, we first ask them their name.  Knowing the name of a person begins the road of knowing them.  In our text today, the LORD introduced His name (El Shaddai), He changed Abrams and Sarai’s names, and He gave them the name Isaac to give to their son.  Having a new name can give a new perspective and commitment.  Throughout the Old Testament and New Testament, we see people’s name being changed at times: Abram-Abraham, Jacob-Israel, Simon-Peter, Saul-Paul, etc.  I even had my last name changed back to my Korean name.  While we may not all have our names changed, there is a new identity that the LORD gives us.  We went from being a “sinner” to a “saint” when we put our trust in the Lord!  If we know who we truly are, we will be able to start the road of living in our new identity.

Romans 2

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Vs. 6, “You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.”  It’s important to see how Paul shifts the personal pronouns “they” in chapter one to “you” in today’s chapter.  Question: What does this mean?  In chapter one, Paul began the process of addressing sin in our lives.  It would have been easy for those who were Christian and the Jews to begin thinking they were okay.  They were not like the “they” referred to in chapter one.  However, Paul ensures that everyone realizes that no one is without excuse.  God has revealed himself to both Jew & Gentile (vs. 9).  The Jews could not rely on their past views, history and especially law (vs. 12-16).  The Jews had much to be thankful for (vs. 17-29), but they were not living up to the standard that God had called them.  They were prideful (vs. 23) and their hypocrisy was bringing shame before God (vs. 24).   And lastly, we see Paul address circumcision (vs. 25-29).  Question: Why was this important.  The Law and circumcision were two distinguishing aspects that set apart Israel (Jews) from the rest of the Gentile world.  But, even from the origins, circumcision was more about a heart matter (Deut 10:16).  The Jews were proud about this, but Paul reminded them that salvation came from the heart through the Spirit (vs. 29).

Regarding application…God shows no Favoritism.  Vs. 11, “For God does not show favoritism.”  The incident in Acts 6 concerning how the early church were treating the Hebraic widows from the Greek influenced widows is an example of how we tend to show favoritism.   Allow me to put it more bluntly; the Jews were displaying signs of prejudice and racism.  Not much has changed, huh?  The country is still dealing with racism with the Trayvon Martin shooting in Florida.  God created us in His image.  As we are remembering the last week of Christ, Jesus came to give life to all who would believe in Him.  We would do God’s word a disservice by not considering soberly our own issues with favoritism.  Let us be people who do not look at the color, reputation or talents of another.

 

Jeremiah 4

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Vs. 7, “A lion has come out of his lair; a destroyer of nations has set out. He has left his place to lay waste your land.  Your towns will lie in ruins without inhabitant.”  Horrible judgment would come upon Judah, and yet God’s people would be unprepared.  They would not listen to Jeremiah’s exhortation to repentance.  Here we see the example of the weeping prophet Jeremiah as he contemplates the tragedy that would happen to his people.  Judah was foolish and ignorant of God & His ways.  Yes, there would tragedy in the captivity and the loss of lives…but more importantly…it was tragic that God’s people had so much unbelief that it would take them to this point.

Regarding application…Circumcision of the Heart.  Vs. 4, “Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, circumcise your hearts...”   They were going through the outward form of circumcision. Circumcision was a sign that showed they belonged to the nation Israel, but God hadn’t given it just as a ritual.  More importantly, their hearts needed to be circumcised to God.  Peter’s powerful message in Acts 2 on the day of pentecost would circumcise the hearts of 3000 people.  Question: What condition is your heart in?  Remember the parable of the sower?  Jeremiah tells us from vs. 3, “Break up your unplowed ground and do not sow among thorns.”  The seed of God’s word MUST land on cultivated soil…a cultivated heart.  A cultivated heart will turn to God.  A circumcised heart will turn from idolatry.  A softened heart will love because He first loved us.  A joyful heart will praise in good & bad times.  It begins with the heart…when we backslide, when we turn from God…the first thing to change is the condition of our hearts.  Check your heart today!  Let God’s Word grow deep roots in your heart, so you may bear the sweetest fruit the Lord can create!