Circumcision was a covenant or law (as also referred to in other texts), first given to Abraham by God. “This is My covenant, which ye shall keep, between Me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.” Genesis 17:10. It was performed on the foreskin, eight days after the birth of a man child (verses 11–12). Promptly “in the selfsame day” (verse 26) Abraham obeyed the command of God to circumcise all that were with him (even those males bought with his money). The command had come at a time when Abraham and his son Ishmael were already past the set age for circumcision to take place; so Abraham and Ishmael were circumcised at the ages of ninety and nine (99) and thirteen (13) respectively (verses 24–25). As for Isaac, born afterwards, it was done on the eighth day as commanded (Genesis 21:4).
Significance of Circumcision
God demanded, saying to Abraham, circumcise: “every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.” Genesis 17:12. He [God] emphasized that the one not circumcised was to be cut off from his people (verse 14). (We will come back to that later).
Circumcision was to be “as a token that they were devoted to the service of God and thus separated from idolaters, and that God accepted them as His peculiar treasure. By this rite they were pledged to fulfill, on their part, the conditions of the covenant made with Abraham. They were not to contract marriages with the heathen; for by so doing, they would lose their reverence for God and His holy law; they would be tempted to engage in the sinful practices of other nations, and would be seduced into idolatry. . . . It was a “condition by which [one] could be entitled to the blessings of God’s covenant with Israel.” –Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 138, 255
Even though Abraham was circumcised at the age of 99, his circumcision was “a seal of righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised.” Romans 4:11–12 (last part). Before the circumcision, he was set apart by his faith in God and due to this faith, the circumcision done later in life had a retrospective effect upon him. What a wonderful picture here portrayed!!
Any neglect to perform circumcision was to incur the frown of God. Moses had just spoken with God in the burning bush; he had just been commissioned with the great task of freeing the Israelites from bondage in Egypt. He was God’s special chosen servant, when, shortly afterwards, God wanted to kill him.
“And it came to pass by the way at the inn, that the LORD met him, and sought to kill him.” Exodus 4:24. No reason was given. “Then Zipporah took a sharp stone and cut off the foreskin of her son and cast it at Moses’ feet, and said, Surely you are a husband of blood to me!” (verse 25) NKJV. He had been dissuaded by his wife Zipporah not to perform circumcision on their youngest son, a divinely given rite she did not have pleasure in (verses 25–26). Though chosen by God, Moses could not be spared for ignoring such
an important institution. He could not be secure while neglecting a known duty. After the circumcision, he was left free to continue his journey (verse 26, first part).
Physical Circumcision Replaced
“If man had kept the law of God, as given to Adam after his fall, preserved by Noah, and observed by Abraham, there would have been no necessity for the ordinance of circumcision.” –Ibid., p. 364
In the gospel era, physical circumcision ceased to be a condition for acceptance before God. Now we have our circumcision made without hands—the baptism of faith in Christ.
“In Whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead.” Colossians 2:11–12
“For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision. Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?” Romans 2:25–26
“Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters.” 1 Corinthians 7:18–19 NKJV
The verses about how and why circumcision of the flesh faded and ceased to be a requirement after the death of Christ are many. We will not attempt to bring more of these texts in the quest to be brief. Let the above suffice.
Inner Circumcision and Its Aspects
Aside from physical circumcision/operation done on the skin, from earliest times, God demanded of His people—heart circumcision. “Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.” Deuteronomy 10:16. “Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: Lest My fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.” Jeremiah 4:4. While being physically circumcised as God’s people, the heart was far from Him, not making them any different from the heathen (Jeremiah 9:26). God was pained that though physically circumcised, the heart was not renewed.
As it was in the time of old, today in the church the traits of the uncircumcised heart are still manifest. We may consider some of them here: The feeling of pain or as a burden when doing the will of God, a feeling of being forced to follow the spiritual paths (1 John 5:3; Matthew 11:28–30). The feeling of pain when one’s sin has been rebuked (1 Kings 13:4). Being hard and stubborn altogether to adhere to God’s directions, (stiff necked to abandon evil ways) (Deuteronomy 10:16; Proverbs 29:1). A feeling that God is too demanding or too hard on them (Numbers 14). Doing the works of God just out of formality (2 Timothy 3:5). Feeling that it’s you who has done something with your own power, a feeling that without you, the church cannot advance. Trying hard to show some good traits of character while still practicing a known sin secretly. The desire to be seen and noticed during or after worship services, love of display, seeking the praise of the people (Luke 20:46; Romans 2:29). The feeling that you are more talented and spiritual than others, “how can he preach a sermon while I am there?” (Philippians 2:3). The feeling that since God is not giving what I need, I will follow my own way to find what I want (Isaiah 30:21). Unforgiving spirit (Ephesians 4:32; Luke 17:3–4). Evil speaking of others (Joseph, BEING just, avoided) (Matthew 1:19). Dwelling upon impure thoughts and plans, etc. (Micah 2:1). Judging someone’s ability or not loving him based on his stature or physical appearance, etc. All these traits are offensive to God.
It is obvious from the above paragraph that the outer skin of the heart must be circumcised. It is what makes the heart unresponsive to the promptings of God’s Spirit for a change. But why must it be the heart? Why not other organs to stand as a symbol? The heart is the source of all actions, good or bad. Thus the Bible says: “My son, give Me thine heart.” Proverbs 23:26. If the heart is surfeited, the entire body is corrupted. Many portray outside goodness, trying to live in conformity to church requirements but lack the unction of the spirit; sooner or later they become tired of good actions and start living the way of the world that is in them.
“Circumstances cannot work reforms. Christianity proposes a reformation in the heart. What Christ works within, will be worked out under the dictation of a converted intellect. The plan of beginning to work outside and trying to work inward, has always failed, and will always fail. God’s plan with you is to begin at the very seat of all difficulties, the heart, and then from out of the heart will issue the principles of righteousness; the reformation will be outward as well as inward.” –Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 35
The world now is vigorously campaigning for physical circumcision in what they describe as a fight to prevent certain diseases. Many centers have been opened for that purpose. That is of the world!! Since it is a physical operation, they are able to perform it. Does it not remind us of how our hearts are before God? But the circumcision of the heart, the inner man, only God can perform it, not man. “And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.” Deuteronomy 30:6. “It is God That circumcises the heart. The whole work is the Lord’s from the beginning to the end.” – Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 391
A new heart promptly acts on God’s requirements as soon as duty demands so. It always seeks a higher spiritual experience and opportunity to serve and save. It finds pleasure in doing the will of God and is perfectly at peace with Him (Romans 8:1).
Conclusion
Unlike the circumcision of the flesh which is no longer binding, heart circumcision remains enforced and a requirement for salvation. To Moses on his way from Midian to Egypt, the performance of the rite of circumcision could be ignored/neglected on pain of death. “And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met him, and sought to kill him.” Exodus 4:24. To us, heart circumcision must be done now, or left alone at the cost of eternal loss. If not circumcised in the heart, we will sooner or later be cut off from among the people of God, as it was in the past (Genesis 17:14). “In the time of trouble just before the coming of Christ, the righteous will be preserved through the ministration of heavenly angels; but there will be no security for the transgressor of God’s law. Angels cannot then protect those who are disregarding one of the divine precepts.” –Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 256
Having crossed the river Jordan, just before they could possess the Promised Land, the Lord directed that sharp knives be made ready for the circumcising of the people. It was to be done before starting to live in Canaan. They had not been circumcised, those males born on the way. “Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time,” was the Lord’s directive. “And Joshua made him sharp knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at the hill of the foreskins.” Joshua 5:2–3
We too are on the borders of spiritual Canaan—the Heavenly Canaan. A short time separates us from that glorious day when Christ will come to claim His own. Is it not now imperative that we too must allow God to perform this wonderful heart circumcision operation fully before that greatest event of all history? Christ said: “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8. While they see God acting in their lives all throughout their earthly sojourn, this will culminate in seeing Him now as He is, face to face in His glory. “And every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure.” 1 John 3:3. Hence comes down to us the heavenly warning: “To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” Hebrews 4:7. Amen.
Joel Msiska, Malawi