Genesis Seventeen….(v.9-14, 23-27) God's Sign of the Covenant
Verses 9-14, 23-27….
The rite of circumcision now comes into the picture. Thus waas something that God required of Abraham and all his descendants to show that they were part of His covenanted people. But it had a far deeper significance than a mere cutting away of flesh, and this is what we have to take notice of today…..
When God saw the circumcision of a male in Israel, He saw obedience to His Word, and also that they were followers of Him. God does not require physical circumcision in believers today, but He DOES require circumcision of the heart and mind….the cutting away of all worldly unnecessary things in our lives that take our time and thoughts away from God, so that we may love and follow Him as we should (Deuteronomy 10:16; Romans 2:28-29).
God required that Abraham do this not only as an act of obedience, but also that he follow Him with all his heart. Anyone who remained uncircumcised was cut off from God's covenant just as today an unbeliever has no part in God's family. He must receive the circumcision that is made without hands which takes place at the time of being saved (Philippians 3:3). A believer has to continue to circumcise his mind and thoughts to keep following the Lord by cutting away all that hinders.
God's covenant with Abraham of old, For him and his to always hold,