A new relationship for God's people
Genesis 17:9-14 and vs.22-27
INTRODUCTION
Over the past two Sundays, we have been seeking assurance, blessing, and commitment from God’s promise in Genesis 17. So far, we have seen God’s promise affirmed in his person (vs.1-3) and in his purpose (vs.4-8 and vs.15-22). Today we are going to see God’s promise affirmed in his perpetuity. This comes out in the spiritual significance of circumcision in vs.9-16 and vs.22-27. Notice first that in this new relationship for God’s people, there is…
1 A REMINDER FOR GOD’S PEOPLE
In Genesis 17:11-13 God said to Abraham, “You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be a sign of the covenant between me and you. For the generations to come, every male who is eight days old must be circumcised.
Circumcision is the removal of a small piece of flesh from the male reproductive organ. This is significant because it is how seed passes from one person to another. The problem in doing this is that we pass on our fallen nature. Jesus said in John 3:6, “That which is born of flesh is flesh.” Reflecting on this, David said in Psalm 51:5, “I was a sinner from the time my mother conceived me.” The cutting away of flesh in circumcision reminds us about this, and encourages us to cut off the flesh in our lives, and to look for new life in Christ.
Circumcision in the Old Testament reminded God’s people that they were in the covenant, but it was more than this. Deuteronomy 10:16 says, “Circumcise your hearts and do not be stubborn.” Romans 2:28-29 affirms this when it says, “Circumcision is not just outward and physical… circumcision is of the heart, by the Spirit.” Colossians 2:11 applies this further when it says, “In Christ we were circumcised by putting off the flesh. Not with a circumcision done by human hands but with the circumcision done by Christ.” In the same way that our fallen nature is passed on through the flesh, so a new spiritual nature is passed on through Christ. Today, we symbolise this in baptism. Romans 6:4 says, “We were buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead… we too may live a new life.” This is the beginning of a new relationship for God’s people, and it leads to…
2 A RENEWAL FOR GOD’S PEOPLE
In the Old Testament, God’s people were in the covenant by physical descent, and circumcision was the outward sign of this relationship. Genesis 17:13-14 says, “Circumcision is a sign of God’s covenant and uncircumcised males were cut off from his people if they broke the covenant.” Many Jews missed the spiritual significance of this, and circumcision became an identity marker for the chosen few. Circumcision, however, was more than this.
Taking this up, Romans 3:1 says, “What advantage is there in being a Jew or what value is there in circumcision?” The answer is, “Much in every way!” There is great blessing in being born a Jew, but this should not lead to formal religion. It should lead to a growing walk with God. Romans 4:9-12 connects this to Abraham when it says, “We have seen that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. Was this after he was circumcised, or before? It was before. He then received circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith. Abraham, therefore, is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised… and he is the father of the circumcised who follow the faith Abraham had before he was circumcised.” God’s ultimate blessing does not come through physical descent, but through spiritual rebirth. Galatians 3:26–29 says, “We are children of God through faith in Jesus Christ. In him, there is neither Jew nor Gentile; there is neither slave nor free; there is neither male nor female. We are all one in Christ Jesus. If we belong to Christ, then we are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to promise.
As God’s people in the Old Testament were expected to live up to their circumcision, we should live up to our baptism. Having said this, our baptism, like circumcision, is more than a physical ritual. It is more than a fading memory of rebirth. It is more than allegiance to a church. The world is not interested in our rituals, our experience of faith, or our creeds. People today are not looking for ritual but for reality. Galatians 5:6 says, “In Christ neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. What matters is faith expressing itself through love.” This is a new relationship for God’s people and it should lead to…
3 A RELEVANCE FOR GOD’S PEOPLE
When we have a healthy relationship with someone, we want to do all we can for them. Abraham had a healthy relationship with God, and this led to obedience and commitment as he walked with God.
Abraham’s commitment comes out in Genesis 17:23-26. It says, “On that very day Abraham took his son Ishmael and all those born in his household… were circumcised as God told him. Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised and Ishmael was thirteen.” This was not easy. Nevertheless, Abraham was obedient. Because of our fallen flesh, obedience is not easy, but if we love God, we will obey him. Jesus said in John 14:15, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
We can talk about our relationship with God and our commitment to him, but in the light of our obedience, how committed are we? In Genesis 17:1, the LORD said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless.” What followed for Abraham was a commitment that led to a decisive walk with God. James 2:22–23 says, “Abraham’s faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” James then adds these challenging words in v24, “You see therefore that people are justified by what they do and not by faith alone.”
Bernard Cartledge