I know, I know, the title of this article may have caused a sense of discomfort to some, but it is also likely that it invoked a sense of inquisitiveness in some, as to what this article is really about. So read on till the very end as the title is not only factually correct, but also fundamentally congruent with the Scripture.
The covenant of circumcision, which is the cutting away of the foreskin, is first established in the Bible, in the book of Genesis 17:9-12. God commands Abraham that the sign (token) of the covenant between God and Abraham, would be for Abraham to circumcise every male child, older than eight days in age, that is either born or bought into his household, and Abraham did so, including himself (Genesis 17:23-27)
On the surface, this may not only seem very barbaric and some may even deem it as appalling for God to demand such a sign to ratify his covenant, close scrutiny of the Bible reveals that the applicability of this covenant is not only of paramount important but pivotal for survival (eternally). Here are the salient points:
1. Circumcision means repenting from one’s sins and remembering the Lord, which comes about by the remembrance of one’s guilt after humbling their lofty/prideful (uncircumcised) hearts. In fact, God says in the Scripture that if his people confess their sins and unfaithfulness and humble their uncircumcised hearts, he will remember the land (Leviticus 26:40-42; 2 Chronicles 7:14).
Leviticus 26:40-42
40 If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me;
41 And that I also have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity:
42 Then will I remember my covenant with Jacob, and also my covenant with Isaac, and also my covenant with Abraham will I remember; and I will remember the land.2 Chronicles 7:14
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2. Circumcision means to stop being stiff-necked (stubborn). The Bible counsels that we must circumcise the foreskin of our hearts and no longer be stiff-necked (Deuteronomy 10:16).
Deuteronomy 10:16
Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.
3. Circumcision means fulfilling the greatest commandment given to man so (Matthew 22:35-38) that man can inherit eternal life (Luke 10:25-28). This is necessary for survival eternally for the Bible states that the circumcision of one’s heart is needed so that one may live (Deuteronomy 30:6).
Deuteronomy 30:6
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.
4. Circumcision (and for that matter uncircumcision) means nothing when compared to obedience to God. The Bible makes it amply clear that physical circumcision is not required, for the one uncircumcised need not go and get circumcised (1 Corinthians 7:18), but what matters is obedience, i.e., keeping the commandments of God (1 Corinthians 7:19), for to fear God and keep his commandments is the whole duty of man (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
1 Corinthians 7:18-19
18 Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.
19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
Ecclesiastes 12:13
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Points to ponder:
As the Bible has established, circumcision means
– humbling one’s heart, accepting one’s guilt, confessing their sins and remembering the Lord
– stop being stiff-necked and stubborn in one’s sinful ways
– fulfilling God’s greatest commandment of loving God so that one may live
– obeying God and keeping his commandments.
The good news is that the circumcision of the heart is done by God himself, not by our own efforts – all we need to do is be willing to be circumcised in our hearts, for the Bible states “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)
Now can you see, circumcision (of the heart) is needed – a necessity. Everyone needs to be circumcised? Are you?
Genesis 17:9-12; 23-25 (KJV)
9 And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations.
10 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.
11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.
12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, 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.
…
23 And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham’s house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said unto him.
24 And Abraham was ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
25 And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
26 In the selfsame day was Abraham circumcised, and Ishmael his son.
27 And all the men of his house, born in the house, and bought with money of the stranger, were circumcised with him.
1 Corinthians 7:18-19 (KJV)
18 Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.
19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
