Circumcision. An uncomfortable word that simply means to cut off or to be cut off. Originally only done to men in the flesh, it is currently for all Galatians 3:28(1) because the Almighty has taken away the division. Now it is done to the heart by faith.
Note; before you read the devotion, I encourage you to read today’s passage. If you happen to not have your Bible with you then you can read the passage with many of my personal study notes here-Joshua 4:19 – 5:12
Why did the children of Israel submit to circumcision after 40 years of not practicing it? The Almighty had just shown them who He is by drying the Jordan at flood stage so that they could cross on dry land. The enemies of the people heard of this and were terrified, unwilling to attack Israel after hearing what their God did for them. At the same time the children of Israel were encouraged in the Almighty and ready to renew the covenant their parents had with Him.
If there is one consistent thing Christian preachers say about “the law” it is that no one can keep it. It’s true, you cannot keep the law. The next most common comment about the law is that it doesn’t save anyone. Again, that is true. So why did the Almighty ask the children of Israel to enter this covenant of Torah with Him?
The Torah is not to be “kept” the way we understand this verb in English. It is not something we “do” in exchange for salvation. It is to be guarded. Does guarding the Torah mean we are exempt from submitting to what it says? I do not believe that is correct. Israel literally circumcised every man and boy who entered the promised land after crossing the Jordan on dry land in primary obedience to Torah. Next, they kept the Passover.
Were they “saved” by keeping Torah? No, they kept Torah because they were in covenant relationship with the Almighty. He brought them to the land he promised their Fathers and he did it by his supernatural power. THEN he asked them to do that most difficult act of obedience, circumcision of the flesh. First great grace was shown (the waters of the Jordan were “held back”), then obedience was required. They did not cross into the land of promise because of their obedience. They were obedient because they had crossed the Jordan into the land of Promise.
Why don’t we become circumcised when we enter a covenant relationship with the Almighty? Actually, we do, but it is not in the flesh of our men but in the heart of each believer. We are “cut off” from the world. Heaven is our home but we are still here on earth as ambassadors, missionaries. We are in this world but we are cut off or circumcised from the way of the world.
I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. John 17:14-19 nkj
The English word sanctify means to make holy, to be officially approved by something. It comes from the Hebrew, Qodesh meaning, for the LORD’s use. We are for the LORD’s use, He has shown us how to live, what is good and what He requires of us.
Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does YHVH require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?
That is why we circumcise our heart. The world tries to tell us what is good and just, but the Almighty is the one we look to for what is truly good and just. To keep HIS Way is to walk humbly with Him.
Romans 10:5-13 For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on Torah shall live by that righteousness. But the righteousness based on faith (a’men) speaks as follows: “DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART, ‘WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), or ‘WHO WILL DESCEND INTO THE ABYSS?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” But what does it say? “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”–that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.” nasu
Mrs. Hagerty, November 2, 2015
Fresh Cauliflower in November at The Toy Box Suburban Farm in Everett, Wa.
(1) Galatians 3: 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Y’shua haMashiach.
The Toy Box Suburban Farm 