#circumcision — God Calls You By Name

Genesis 17:21, 23-27 NLT

“But my covenant will be confirmed with Isaac, who will be born to you and Sarah about this time next year.”

On that very day Abraham took his son, Ishmael, and every male in his household, including those born there and those he had bought. Then he circumcised them, cutting off their foreskins, just as God had told him. Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised, and Ishmael, his son, was thirteen. Both Abraham and his son, Ishmael, were circumcised on that same day, along with all the other men and boys of the household, whether they were born there or bought as servants. All were circumcised with him.

Abraham’s heart must have jumped in his throat. THIS time next year…. This TIME next year….This time NEXT year…. This time next YEAR! Abraham sowed a lot of spiritual seeds of faith and obedience to God in his life and he’s about to reap his harvest.

What happens when hope is activated?

Hope removes doubts

Like an eraser wiping marker off a whiteboard, all of Abraham’s doubts were deleted away from his heart. God never lied to Abraham and he knew it was as good as done. Joyful expectancy rose up in Abraham. Without doubt, this time next year, Abraham and Sarah will be the parents of a special baby boy.

Hope tightens our bond with God

Abraham cut covenant with God in the most intimate, private, sensitive part of himself. Everytime Abraham took a shower or visited the restroom, he would be reminded of his covenant. Everytime Abraham made love to Sarah, he would be reminded of his covenant. Every private action involved God and His covenant.

Hope releases favor

Favor is defined as preferential treatment and approval (1). God has kept a record of all the times Abraham kept his faith in Him and obeyed His commands and His regard for Abraham is tremendous. Of all the men living on earth at the time, Abraham was chosen to inherit the legacy of faith.

Favor spills into everything Abraham does and who he has charge over. God granted Abraham such favor with Ishmael and all the men he had authority over, he was able to convince them to join him in this covenant on the very same day!

Hope produces increase of blessings

All of the men, including Ishmael, would also be circumcised. They would also be reminded that God was watching them in the most private moments of their lives. What incentive to live pure and holy! But, the rewards were great and God’s blessings would follow them as it did Abraham. It would be a blessing these men would pass down to their own descendants as well.

Hope prepares for the new normal

God was preparing Abraham and his tribe a year in advance for the change ahead. Sarah is the princess of a multitude and to become a miracle mother. A miracle prince is to be born, his name will be Isaac, and he will continue God’s amazing covenant. A day will come where some of these men will answer not only to Abraham, but to Isaac as well.

Let’s pray:

Father, You are El Shaddai, God Almighty. Thank You for circumcising my heart so that I am aware that You are watching the most private moments of my life. Hope in Your word removes my doubts and bonds me closer to You. I am grateful for Your favor on my life and I pray that the blessings in my life overflow into the lives of others exponentially. Hope in Your promises prepares me for what’s ahead. In Jesus name, Amen.

References:

1) https://www.dictionary.com/browse/favor

Genesis 17:9-14 NLT

Then God said to Abraham, “Your responsibility is to obey the terms of the covenant. You and all your descendants have this continual responsibility. This is the covenant that you and your descendants must keep: Each male among you must be circumcised. You must cut off the flesh of your foreskin as a sign of the covenant between me and you. From generation to generation, every male child must be circumcised on the eighth day after his birth. This applies not only to members of your family but also to the servants born in your household and the foreign-born servants whom you have purchased. All must be circumcised. Your bodies will bear the mark of my everlasting covenant. Any male who fails to be circumcised will be cut off from the covenant family for breaking the covenant.”

What can we learn about circumcision?

Unseen

Circumcision takes place in a private area. Enough said.

Distinction

Circumcised males in covenant with God live a lifestyle that is radically contrary to the cultures that surround them. Even though circumcision is located privately, everyone around them are aware of their high moral standard and why they adhere to that standard.

Fertility

Circumcision takes place in the area of fertility. His seed is dedicated to God. All of the children will be raised to be devoted to God.

Worship

Circumcision is an act of worship. A circumcised man would always be reminded of his covenant every time he performed sexual intercourse. His body is a temple and all of his activities are dedicated to God.

500 years later, God tells Moses about an even deeper relationship and covenant.

Deuteronomy 30:6 NIV

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.

What happens when the heart is circumcised?

Hidden

The Lord’s light illuminates the human spirit exposing every hidden motive (Proverbs 20:27). Our motivation and intentions should be pure and holy.

Distinction

A circumcised heart lives a lifestyle that is in conformity to God’s Word. Sin becomes repulsive and we lose desire to participate in its practices. It takes courage, faith, and dedication to uphold godly standards. Our lifestyles should obviously contrast popular culture.

Fertility

In Acts 2, on the day of Pentecost, Peter preached the good news of the Gospel to the crowd and those words cut (circumcised) their hearts. 3000 people accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior that day. Ever since, many have accepted Jesus into their hearts and have become children of God. Our lives should reproduce followers of Jesus.

Worship

Outwardly, we look just like any ordinary person. But, because our heart is circumcised, we are very conscious of God’s ever abiding presence. We willingly and joyfully please God with our thoughts, words, and deeds as an act of worship and adoration.

Yes, circumcision happens in the most private area of the soul. But, its mark is obvious to everyone. No one would doubt that circumcision has taken place. It truly is a mark that is hidden in plain sight.

Lets Pray:

Father,

Circumcise my heart, the places that are hidden and where no one can see. Give me the grace to reproduce spiritual children into the Kingdom of God. I hope that those who are familiar with me are aware that I live by Your moral standards because of my love and commitment to You. I pray that my witness will reproduce spiritual children who are devoted to You. My body is a temple and all of my activities are dedicated to You. In Jesus Name, Amen.

This Time Next Year

God Calls You By Name- Hidden In Plain Sight