PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)
NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD (Journalism); Dip,
BA (Theology) MA, PhD.
THE BIBLE AND
CIRCUMCISION
Presented by: Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu
Devotional Text: Gen
17:9-27
INTRODUCTION:
According to the
Encyclopaedia Britannica 2008, “circumcision is a Jewish rite performed on male
infants as a sign of inclusion in the covenant between GOD and Abraham, which
is a biblical reference to GOD’S instruction to Abraham when HE says ... “As
for you, you must keep MY COVENANT, you and your descendants after you, for the
generations to come. 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,” {Gen. 17:9-11}. Worthy of note in the cited passage of the
Scripture is that, circumcision is exclusively for the male folks, and not for
the female persons, and so, female circumcision is against the WILL of GOD, and
should not be practised, {vs. 10}
GENERAL
REMARKS
(1)
Circumcision
is the sign of the covenant between GOD and Abraham, {Gen. 17:7-11}
(2)
Circumcision
is, as well, the rite of inclusion of the Jews into the covenant, {vs. 7-11}
(3)
Circumcision
is performed on the foreskin of the Jewish male individuals, and not for the
female persons, {vs. 7-11}
(4)
There is,
also. the circumcision of the heart, which is performed by the HOLY SPIRIT in
the heart of those who believe
in CHRIST, Jews or Gentiles, irrespective of
gender, {Rom. 2:28-29; Col. 2:10-11}
CIRCUMCISION OF ABRAHAM AND THE
JEWISH NATION
Pointedly, the
Jewish nation comes under the Abrahamic rite of circumcision, which is a sign
of inclusion in his covenant with the LORD GOD of heaven and earth. But, this
extends to strangers bought by Abraham, or those bought by strangers owned by
Abraham, and should be a practice for all generations, {Gen. 17:12-13}.
However, the inclusion of strangers, and those owned by the strangers, as
linked to Abraham shows that circumcision is not designed for Jewish nation
alone, but for people of all nations of the world, who would come, or make the
choice to come under the covenant of the GOD of Abraham.
By
way of information, Judaism is not alone in the practice of circumcision, as
Islam, which also has a link to Abraham through Ishmael, is part of the rite.
According to our source, Khitan or Khatna is the Islamic term for circumcision,
carried out as a recommended practice of Islamic culture by Muslims. Male
circumcision is widespread in the Muslim world, and accepted as an established
practice by all Islamic schools of jurisprudence. In furtherance, it is
important to note, also, that both the Bible and Koran, as well as Judaism and
Islam hold that circumcision is for male folks and not for the female persons,
as instructed by the LORD, the GOD of all creations, and deduced by the visible
fact that, “boys are born with a hood of skin, called the foreskin, covering
the head {also called the glans} of the penis, which is absent in girls. This,
therefore, affirms that circumcision was:
(i)
Introduced
first to the core Jewish community, under Judaism {Gen. 17:9-11}
(ii)
Extended to
strangers and those owned by the strangers converted to Judaism {vs. 12-13}
(iii)
Considered
for other nations through the motherhood of Sarah, {vs. 15-19}.
CIRCUMCISION OF ABRAHAM AND
RIGHTEOUSNESS
According to the
Bible, in Abrahamic rite of circumcision, boys of all generations of the Jewish
descent are required to undergo a surgical removal of the foreskin, which is
the skin covering the top of the penis, as a sign of inclusion in the covenant
between GOD and Abraham {Gen. 17:9-11}, but does not say, it is a manifestation
of righteousness, since, it remarks that ... “faith {not circumcision} was
accounted to Abraham for righteousness. How then was it accounted? While he was
circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised,
{Rom. 4:9B-10}. Therefore, if the righteousness of Abraham was before
circumcision, and based on faith, it then means that the religious rite of
circumcision is but, a physical identity of the covenant, whereas,
righteousness is a gift of good behaviour which is spiritually imparted by God,
and can be manifest in religious and non-religious person. But, man’s
righteousness without CHRIST is but, filthy rags before the LORD, our GREAT GOD
of Heaven and Earth, {Isa. 64:6}. For, CHRIST is the end of the law, for
righteousness to everyone who believes {Rom. 10:4}. And, notice once again
that, Abraham received the sign of circumcision, which is a seal of
righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised {Rom.
4:11}, which shows that:
(i)
Circumcision
does not impart righteousness, but faith does, {vs. 11}
(ii)
Righteousness
comes by faith in CHRIST alone and not by circumcision or the law {Rom. 10:4}
(iii)
Abraham is
the father of all who believe but have-not been circumcised, as well as the
father
of those who are circumcised and walk in footsteps
of faith, {Rom. 4:11-12}
BELIEVERS IN CHRIST AND THE
CIRCUMCISION OF THE HEART
The Scripture is very obvious that the
believer ...“is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which
is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew, who is one inwardly; and circumcision
is that of the heart, in the SPIRIT, not in the letter; whose praise is not
from men, but from GOD,” {Rom. 2:28-29}. For, we are the circumcision who
worship GOD in the SPIRIT, rejoice in CHRIST JESUS, and have no confidence in the
flesh” {Phil. 3:3}, who, “in HIM you were also circumcised with the
circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the
flesh, by the circumcision of CHRIST,” {Col. 2:11}.
And, be informed that, in CHRIST, both the
circumcised {Jews} and the uncircumcised {Gentiles} are brought together by
faith. Thus, the Bible says, “Is anyone called while circumcised? Let him not
become uncircumcised. Is anyone called while uncircumcised? Let him not be
circumcised. For, in CHRIST JESUS, circumcision is nothing and un-circumcision
is nothing, but keeping the commandments of GOD is what matters. So, let each
one remain in the same calling in which he was called, whether as circumcised
or uncircumcised, {1 Cor. 7:18-20}. To this end, therefore, this lesson opines
that:
(i)
The outward
circumcision of the Abrahamic covenant should not be rejected, though
it was not designed for salvation {Gen.
17:9-11}
(ii)
The inward
circumcision, which is the work of the HOLY SPIRIT in the heart of the
believer, is GOD’S
work of salvation, and should be cherished
above the outward circumcision, {Rom. 2:28-29}
(iii)
Both the
Jews of the outward circumcision and the Gentiles of the inward circumcision
are brought together
as
a united member of GOD’S family in CHRIST JESUS our LORD and BLESSED SAVIOUR,
{1 Cor. 7:18-20}
In conclusion, please recall that, circumcision, which is
the surgical removal of the foreskin of the penis of the male child, is a rite
of inclusion of members of the Jewish community into the covenant of GOD and
Abraham, but was not designed to impart righteousness, as righteousness is only
obtainable by faith. Worthy of note, also, is that the outward circumcision of
the Abrahamic covenant is a foreshadow of the inward circumcision of the HOLY
SPIRIT, in the heart of the believer, which includes him as a member of GOD’S
family, as well as, empowers him to live righteously in CHRIST JESUS our
BLESSED LORD and SAVIOUR. Therefore, just as the Holy Scripture says that, the
outward circumcision is for all generations {Gen. 17:9-13}, we should always
ask the LORD our GREAT GOD and REDEEMER for the inward circumcision, for
ourselves and the people of all generations, {Rom. 2:28-29}. PLEASE, PRAY FOR THE SALVATION OF MANKIND!
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