Circumcision

Circumcision- it wasn't a choice if you wanted to be a God follower.

But it was an honor.

From Francine Rivers- in the story of Joshua when he was about to defeat Jericho. Caleb gathered the men from Judah  and said "We have entered Canaan on the day of preparations for the Passover, and Joshua has received these instructions from the Lord: the entire male population of Israel must be circumcised. All those present knew that their fathers who had been circumcised upon leaving Egypt, had lived in God's wrath because they continued to think and act as slaves rather than as free men chosen to be a holy nation. Thus the following generation had not been allowed to circumcise their sons. But now the promise was about to be fulfilled. The hand of God would bring the seed of Israel safely into the land of Canaan. But before that could happen, God wanted his people to become a circumcised nation once again."

This wasn't the first time God had asked the Israelites to circumcise themselves as a way of purification and distinguishing themselves from others who served foreign Gods. God asked Abraham to circumcise himself, his household, and his slaves as an everlasting covenant with Him in Genesis 17.

Circumcision was a private event performed between a priest and male and yet it was a sign of dedication, a most intimate agreement, that pierced to the heart of every male. Circumcision was painful and the Bible shows many examples of men laying in their tents overcame after being circumsized and even one story when Hamor and Shechem were defeated during this time of weakness (Genesis 34). Yet circumcision was powerful reminder of God's promise to His people. It was often after people were circumsized that God could work through them. For example after circumcision, God provided offspring through Sarah's old womb and after circumcision, the battle of Jericho was won.

Although circumcision is not commonly accepted as strict religious practices today; circumcision was mentioned about 100 times in the Bible. So what does being circumcized have to do with our walk with God today?

What are some ideas on the significance of this verse? 

Deuteronomy 30:6 The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live.

Or Deuteronomy 10:16 calling us again to circumcise our hearts and get rid of our stubbornness as the Israelites learned to do.

Circumcision took sacrifice; it took denying fear; doing something uncomfortable. It was obedience in a way that probably didn't make sense to the people. It was a deep and personal symbol that recognized a covenant between God and His chosen people. 

God offered a promise; He wanted to bless. But before He did, He asked for obedience. He asked for faith. He asked for a relationship- a covenant.

And I sincerely believe that before God can truly use our lives, and extraordinarily bless us, He is asking us for the same thing. No, not a physical circumcision. But a metaphoric one, a sign of our obedience, faith on our part, and sometimes even sacrifice.

What have you given up for Jesus? How have you obeyed lately? Even in the hard things, even in the awkward or uncomfortable ways, even when having faith in God hurt... to the point of knocking you to the ground, literally killing your pride and maybe whole life of the past?

After performing the rite of circumcision, Caleb offered the men a blessing "Just as you have entered into the covenant, so may you enter into the marriage and good deeds". After circumcision, the Israelites were separated from the idolaters of Israel. They knew where their freedom came from; they knew their role in the Kingdom; they knew they were followers of Christ.

So today, maybe we can ask God to search our hearts and minds. He may reveal to us an area in our life that we need to re-surrender; a place where we need forgiveness; something He is pleading for us to sacrifice. If it's not obvious that we are separated, that we are righteous people, that we are the Lord's then we have to question whether we are being part of the sanctification. May the Lord circumcise our hearts. May He be the focus of our minds; may we enter into a loving covenant with Him. May we no longer be slaves to evil; but may we have the courage to live like we are part of a heavenly Kingdom. May the Lord bless our obedience and may we serve Him forever.