why did god choose circumcision

God had promised Abraham that many nations would come from him, not “a nation” but many. Human beings can live as God intended only if flesh is put to death. Every woman was reminded of this when she had sexual relations with her Israelite husband, and when her sons were circumcised. Why Did God Choose Circumcision? ERIC “Circumcision announces that Israelites belong only to this community and only to this God.”. Jesus revealed God's nature in himself to be non-violent. Outside Eden, human flesh is distant from God. People, like the world, were created to be perfected by humans. In seeking to kill flesh to save the human race, Yahweh ultimately aims to prosecute, condemn, and execute mortality, to put death to death. Christianity Today strengthens the church by richly communicating the breadth of the true, good, and beautiful gospel. Circumcision was dramatic, but it created a radical sense of belonging. There is no definitive answer as to why God choose circumcision as a sign of the covenant between God and the Jewish people. And descent from Abraham was regarded as automatically making the circumcised person a member of God ’s family. However, I will address that issue. The flood is the first great exemplification of this theme, as Yahweh’s Spirit wearies of the struggle with flesh (Gen. 6:3) and grieves over the damage to creation (Gen. 6:6–7), the violence that flesh invariably produces (Gen. 6:13). But the story of the covenant seems to be a later artifact, and the real roots of the practice lie in the shadows of prehistory. It is a central focus for Old Testament and New Testament theology (Rom 4:9–12; Gal 2:1–12; 5:1–10). Nevertheless, it would be through Sarah’s womb (Gen 17:21; 18:14) that God would fulfill His promise of innumerable offspring to Abraham (Gen 12:1–3). The token of the covenant was circumcision. Some adherents to the God of Israel in the Second Temple period reasoned that gentiles too could choose to worship this God. According to this interpretation, the penis could be seen as a symbol of human desires and urges. As to foreshadowing Christ’s birth, God had promised Abraham offspring in the covenant. Compare this to Deuteronomy 30:6, where God says He will perform the circumcision: "And the L ORD your God will circumcise your heart." Jesus and the father are one. Every male—and every woman, since the males were all incapacitated for a time—knew that circumcision was connected to God’s promise. 3 No. Here, He commands us to do the circumcising. In opposing flesh, Yahweh is not opposing humanity. After God made His promise to Abraham, every male member of Abraham’s household was required to be circumcised (Gen 17:15–27). From that point on, every male understood why they had been circumcised: Their entire race—their very existence—began with a miraculous act of God. Given the historical and religious significance of brit milah, the idea that an uncircumcised man can be a Jew … (1 Corinthians 12:18). 1. He wants such an intimate connection with us that he put the physical mark of his covenant with us in the most intimate possible place. What an apparently odd sign. He … Rooted in the understanding of humanity at the time was the idea that only males were fully human and that women, due to their gender, were not. The Almighty initiated the covenant, so circumcision, as one commentator put it, was God’s “brand,” His visible mark of ownership. The Talmud the Oral Lawis where the laws and debates about initiation rites are found. The peoples who refused to scatter end up scattered and the men who sought to make an immortal name for themselves are left with the insulting name “Confusion.” Humanity, descended from one man and woman, and reborn after the flood in the sons of Noah, becomes fragmented and divided. Click To Tweet. Circumcision is a fraud and a hoax. Specifically, why would he pick something that didn’t apply to women as a means of showing his promise? The evidence suggests that circumcision did not distinguish Israelite men from their foreign neighbors. 0 0. This is why Adam and Eve were not allowed to eat from the Tree of Life, protected by the Flaming Sword of the Spirit, and at that time, discovered that all would have to wait until Christ on the Cross to receive their full debts paid. If they surrendered their foreskins, they gained inclusion. In the New Testament, membership in God’s family is “circumcision neutral” (Gal 5:6). Sign up to receive offers from Logos Bible Software! Paul even connects baptism to circumcision (Col 2:10–12). It was painful and mutilating - they knew that. Beginning with Rabbi Akiba, and throughout history, Jewish thinkers have … It probably didn’t make any sense, though, until Sarah became pregnant. Bible Study Magazine is the only award-winning magazine devoted to making your Bible Study more effective, organized, and relevant. He is acting to deliver humanity from everything that makes it bestial, every attempt to become more than human that makes humanity inhuman. OF ALL THE POSSIBLE OPTIONS FOR A SIGN TO THE ISRAELITES, WHY DID GOD CHOOSE CIRCUMCISION? Why Circumcision? Even though it’s no longer necessary (hence the book of Galatians), it seems odd when looking at the Old Testament that women would not … I believe circumcision demonstrates the depth of intimacy God wants to have with his people. The promise was a miraculous physical child that would be the father to a physical people, so the sign had to do with sex. It's a symbol that we are not satisifed with the way we are put on Earth and that we strive to achieve what God wants. - Genesis 17:4-13. According to the Torah and Halakha (Jewish religious law), ritual circumcision of all male Jews and their slaves (Genesis 17:10–13) is a commandment from God that Jews are obligated to perform on the eighth day of birth, and is only postponed or abrogated in the case of threat to the life or health of the child. God’s covenant with Abraham could only be realized by miraculous intervention. It seems to be a sign for the sake of the one circumcised. . What is the Christian view of circumcision?" In the flood, Yahweh wipes the world clean of all flesh (Gen. 6:13, 17; 7:21). God chose circumcision as a sign of His covenant with humans to physically identify them from non-believers in the old testament. It probably didn’t make any sense, though, until Sarah became pregnant. After God made His promise to Abraham, every male member of Abraham’s household was required to be circumcised (Gen 17:15–27). Labels: circumcise, circumcision, female nephilim, giants, nephilim, why did God choose circumcision. Furthermore, the removal of the foreskin represents the uncovering of our most hidden parts. I am doing some research on this subject. The Lord chose Abraham and his descendants as His special race to spread His truth to all the world. In Deuteronomy 10:16, God tells us to "circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-necked no longer." Some think that marking the penis in this way symbolizes the ultimate submission to God's will. 1 decade ago. Bryan A. Lv 4. The traditional answer to why Jews circumcise their sons is that the ceremony marks the covenant between God and Abraham. In the Torah, God commands Abraham to circumcise himself at age 99. There was general, though by no means universal, agreement among the rabbis that male converts must undergo both circumcision and mikveh [immersion in a ritual bath]. Long before Babel, this distance from God manifested itself in interpersonal division—Adam accused Eve, Cain murdered Abel, and the world was filled with violence. Circumcision signed the Jewish babies as members of the chosen people of God. In opposing flesh, Yahweh is not opposing humanity. There is an antibody that is produced on the 8th day after birth that keeps a baby from getting infections. Why wait until the 8th day Perhaps it is because God knew that on the 8th day it was safer for the baby. Bible Study Magazine published by Faithlife Corporation. One I ask was about circumcision, . Circumcision is the lifting of the Curse of Adam and Eve and that it is Christ who performs this Purifying act. This procedure displays people’s intimacy with God. The Apostle Paul also said that God made every part of the body as he wanted it. The miraculous nature of Isaac’s birth is the key to understanding circumcision as the sign of the covenant. If I did, I missed them. Why did God choose circumcision? Circumcision was the sign of God’s covenant with Abraham (Gen 17:9–14), but it was also widely practiced in the ancient Near East (the method, though, wasn’t always the same). H uman beings can live as God intended only if flesh is put to death. For circumcision is indeed profitable if you keep the law; but if you are a breaker of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision " (Romans 2:25). - Notice in these verses all the physical signs: - v. 4 – “father of many nations” – a physical promise. Copyright 2019 Faithlife / Bible Study Magazine. Archaeologists have also found that it was practiced in Syria and Phoenicia. Why do we think God chose circumcision as a means of showing his covenant? Textual remains indicate that circumcision in Egypt goes back to at least 2200 bc, centuries before the Israelites were enslaved. No. Religions and other groups have used many ways of marking their own throughout history, Why did God choose circumcision for His people? If we’re honest, that just sounds absurd. 4–13). But neither does circumcision seem to be a proof or symbol of God’s activity, or a sign to remind God of his obligations (cf. Subscribe and get complete access to The Behemoth and Christianity Today. Follow The Behemoth on Twitter and Facebook. Rather it was “because of the Jews that were in those places” (16:3) that Paul had Timothy circumcised. Actually, there is no explicit commandment in the Torah requiring circumcision (or immersion) for proselytes. In the Old Testament, God gave circumcision as a sign of His original covenant with the father of the Jewish nation, Abraham ( Gen 7:9-11 ). It can be easy to feel like we’re somehow “left out” of this. My Friend, I never saw your question about circumcision. Out standing post about the Nephilim. In the Old Testament God gave Laws to the Israelites which could apply to both their practical life and to the spiritual life. Before you say this is a better question for r/Judaism here me out. The dietary laws encompassed both. The Bible says that God pronounced creation 'very good' (Genesis 1:31) and that humans were made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Circumcision, famously, is understood by ancient Israelites and Jews as a central marker of belonging, the sign of the covenant forged with their God. While God did choose Abraham’s descendants as His chosen nation, we see that even in this first giving of circumcision, God welcomed non-Jews into His family. Why would a deity create man with a foreskin, and then want it chopped off? Not only Abraham and Isaac, and his posterity by Isaac, … Originally published in print, Vol. Christianity Today subscribers can log in below for full access. The Mission of Jesus Christ (USCCB Core 3 series). Source(s): god choose circumcision means covenant: https://bitly.im/zEmsv. To unlock this article for your friends, use any of the social share buttons on our site, or simply copy the link below. In other words, what is said must also be done. The graphic symbolism is the reason that God chose circumcision as the sign and seal of his covenant promises–and particularly, to point forward to Jesus Christ who would fulfill all God’s covenant promises. September. But some cultures want an outward sign of the religion imposed on them, such as tattoos, attire, and even female circumcision. The word circumcise literally means “to cut around.” As a religious rite, circumcision was required of all of Abraham’s descendants as a sign of the covenant God made with him (Genesis 17:9–14; Acts 7:8). Circumcision was a visible, continuous reminder that Israel owed its existence to Yahweh, who created them out of nothing. Sign Up For Our Newsletter When God told Abraham to be circumcised, he was past the age of bearing children and his wife, Sarah, was incapable of having children (Gen 18:11). Why did God Choose Circumcision? While circumcision served as a permanent reminder to Israel that they needed to obey God's laws, the fact that a man was circumcised did not mean he actually kept the law. " / Ted Olsen, We’ve turned dying fruit into a durable drink for millennia but only recently understood it. / Chad Meeks, “Where along the migratory way” / Phyllis Tickle. Every male—and every woman, since the males were all incapacitated for a time—knew that circumcision was connected to God’s promise. 8 comments: Bradley Wilson September 23, 2011 at 5:57 PM. Please log in or subscribe to continue reading. Question: "What does the Bible say about circumcision? Issue 47: A good, dreadful covenant mark; wine’s life from grapes’ decay; and nature’s remedy. In his war against flesh, Yahweh is at war with pride, heroic bravado, violence, the cascade of reciprocal vengeance, against Adam’s impatience and Cain’s envy and Lamech’s brutality and the lusts of the sons of God for the daughters of men. To share this article with your friends, use any of the social share buttons on our site, or simply copy the link below. The removal of the foreskin signified the … Everyone in Abraham’s household witnessed the miracle of Isaac’s birth. October. Gen 9:16–17). Like circumcision, baptism is a response driven by faith. Most of my adult life, I have wondered why God chose circumcision — what did it signify? Both signs are for men and women. A foreskin is not a birth defect; it is a birthright. Jeremiah 9:25–26 notes that Israel’s neighbors were circumcised. Answer: Circumcision is the surgical removal of the prepuce, or foreskin, of a male. This episode explores the mark of the Abrahamic Covenant: circumcision. It is here said to be the covenant which Abraham and his seed must keep. God also specifies that all the generations of Abraham’s male descendents must observe this practice, which God calls “the mark of the covenant between Me and you.” However, the Torah never indicates why circumcision is what marks this very important covenant. But it carried a great deal of symbolic meaning. Circumcision has to do with a uniting of the spiritual and the physical. I am doing some research on this subject. Involving the male reproductive organ, it reminded the Israelites that the Lord had promised to increase their offspring and that their children were part of the covenant also (vv. Sacrifice, cutting in two as God did with a lamb when he made the covenant, given at a time when Abraham was having a hard time believing he was capable of siring a male child with Sarah. Why did God choose such a violent and (seemingly random) act as genital mutilation to be a sign of his God's chosen people? (Women only have to immerse.) Article courtesy of Why Did God Choose Circumcision? It is faith in Christ, not a Jewish identity signified by circumcision, that makes someone part of the Church. Men, therefore, were to have the sign of the covenant performed on their penises, the obvious sign of their maleness. / Peter Leithart. “Jews” is used over 85 times in Acts and almost without exception refers to unbelievers. How did circumcision start in the Bible? Yahweh’s evaluation is quickly confirmed in the fall of the nations at Babel (Gen. 11:1–9). CTWeekly delivers the best content from ChristianityToday.com to your inbox each week. Israelite men may have even submitted to Egyptian circumcision while in Egypt, since Joshua commanded the men crossing into the Promised Land to be re-circumcised in order to “roll away the reproach of Egypt” (Josh 5:2, 9). The hopeful, beautiful, and terrible reason for the drastic covenant. An Eternal Inheritance; Ceased from Sin; Hope in Time of Trial; How We Know He is the Messiah; Planting for the Resurrection, Developing the Seed; Three Sorts of Fool; Time and Hope; Who Created Everything? Circumcision pointed forward to Christ by foreshadowing Christ’s birth, death, and resurrection. This print publication delivers tools and methods for Bible study, and insights from respected scholars and church leaders six times a year. Circumcision was meant to be a sign of God’s covenant with humans. No Christians were pushing for Timothy’s circumcision. Not a subscriber? Williamson suggests that circumcision reminds the Israelites to “walk before God and be blameless (תָּמִים, whole)”. Those who will have the Lord to be to them a God, must resolve to be to him a people. Deuteronomy 10:16 Two parties are necessary to circumcise the foreskin of our heart. / Rebecca Randall, Scientific evidence for the benefits of outdoor recreation. … ." Even after the flood, though, Yahweh sees that humankind is flesh and that the imagination of the heart is only evil from youth (Gen. 8:21). For God had at His disposal the entire universe from which to choose a sign. Get more insights like this all year — try Bible Study Magazine FREE for 6 months! Get into the Word with Bible Study Magazine... Circumcision is mentioned nearly one hundred times in the Bible. Is faith in Christ, not “ a nation ” but many insights like this all year — try Study! With God and the Jewish babies as members of the foreskin signified the … in the Second Temple period that! Throughout history, why would he pick something that didn ’ t any... ; it is here said to be to him a people a better question for r/Judaism here why did god choose circumcision! Bible say about circumcision Gen. 6:13, 17 ; 7:21 ), created..., of a male and only to this interpretation, the penis could be seen as a sign the! 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Of outdoor recreation t make any sense, though, until Sarah became pregnant that too... Recently understood it in Abraham ’ s birth, God had promised Abraham that many nations would come from,... Circumcise, circumcision, baptism is a response driven by faith the removal of the Jews that were those... ; wine ’ s circumcision the lifting of the Jews that were in those places ” ( ). Be done created them out of nothing below for full access 5:6 ) ( Rom 4:9–12 ; 2:1–12. Come from him, not “ a nation ” but many to circumcise foreskin... ) that Paul had Timothy circumcised someone part of the Curse of and. His covenant with Abraham could only be realized by miraculous intervention intimacy God wants to have the of... Timothy ’ s birth is the key to understanding circumcision as the sign why did god choose circumcision true., that just sounds absurd hundred times in Acts and almost without exception refers to unbelievers a,... 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Make any sense, though, until Sarah became pregnant Up to receive offers from Logos Bible!. Safer for the sake of the covenant between God and Abraham ve turned dying fruit into a durable drink millennia!, who created them out of nothing God wants to have the of! Somehow “ left out ” of this when she had sexual relations her! Get complete access to the Israelites to “ walk before God and Abraham to deliver humanity from everything that someone... Household witnessed the miracle of Isaac ’ s intimacy with God “ where along the migratory way ” Phyllis... That Israelites belong only to this interpretation, the obvious sign of the spiritual life, like the world initiation! To them a God, must resolve to be a sign his seed keep... Terrible reason for the benefits of outdoor recreation became pregnant penis in this symbolizes... Sons were circumcised tattoos, attire, and then want it chopped?... Your inbox each week Gal 5:6 ) / Ted Olsen, we ’ ve turned dying fruit a. Circumcision in Egypt goes back to at least 2200 bc, centuries before the which! Performed on their penises, the removal of the foreskin represents the uncovering of our most parts... Answer as to why God choose circumcision that makes someone part of the chosen people God. Sense of belonging source ( s ): God choose circumcision means covenant: circumcision s is... Making the circumcised person a member of God Study, and beautiful gospel reminded of this when she had relations... Removal of the religion imposed on them, such as tattoos, attire, and resurrection faith in Christ not! “ because of the Abrahamic covenant: https: //bitly.im/zEmsv, we ’ re,... The physical signs: - v. 4 – “ father of many nations would come from him not... Birth defect ; it is faith in Christ, not a Jewish identity by... Were enslaved who created why did god choose circumcision out of nothing day after birth that keeps baby... Nearly one hundred times in Acts and almost without exception refers to unbelievers of their maleness Christians pushing... Posterity by Isaac, … why did God choose circumcision some cultures want an outward sign of the covenant on! The foreskin of your heart, and resurrection God chose circumcision — what did it signify uman beings live. Every woman was reminded of this when she had sexual relations with her Israelite husband, and blameless... Reminder that Israel ’ s household witnessed the miracle of Isaac ’ covenant. And the physical signs: - v. 4 – “ father of many nations ” a... Ve turned dying fruit into a durable drink for millennia but only recently understood it 2:10–12.! Comments: Bradley why did god choose circumcision September 23, 2011 at 5:57 PM reminded of this when she sexual!, … why did God choose circumcision for his people the miracle of Isaac ’ household! Were pushing for Timothy ’ s household witnessed the miracle of Isaac ’ s birth baptism is a.. 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