We are wrapping up lesson 10 in Genesis this week. We are going to be covering pages 119 through 122 and answering questions 10-14.

In chapter 17 there are two really important verses for us to understand. Verse 17:11 says, and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you.

What does circumcision really mean to Abraham and his descendents? Is it just some work God is asking them to do or is circumcision a representation of our hearts. It is just like being baptised in the New Testament. It should represent our new hearts for Christ. Here are some supporting verses in the New Testament about circumcision in the Old Testament.

Romans 2:25-29
25For circumcision is indeed profitable if you keep the law; but if you are a breaker of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. 26Therefore, if an uncircumcised man keeps the righteous requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision? 27And will not the physically uncircumcised, if he fulfills the law, judge you who, even with your written code and circumcision, are a transgressor of the law? 28For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; 29but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.

Romans 4:9-13
9 Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness. 10 How then was it accounted? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised. 11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also, 12 and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised.
13 For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

1 Corinthians 7:18-19
18 Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters.

Galatians 5:6
6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.

The other verse that encourages me to no end is in 17:8. That like Abraham we are strangers on this earth. Thank heavens this is not our finally destiny but we are looking forward to an eternal place to live and that is in heaven with our Lord and Saviour.

Here is an excerpt by Charles Spurgeon on circumcision. Enjoy!

Further, Abraham had a view of the covenant in its
everlastingness. I do not remember that the word
"everlasting" had been used before in reference to that
covenant, but in this chapter we have it over and over
again. "I will establish my covenant for an everlasting
covenant." Here is one of those grand truths which many
of the babes in grace have not as yet learned, namely,
that the blessings of grace are blessings not given to-
day to be taken back to-morrow, but eternal blessings.
The salvation which is in Christ Jesus is not a
salvation which will belong to us for a few hours,
while we are faithful to it, and will then be taken
away, so that we shall be left to perish. God forbid,
"He is not a man that he should lie, nor the son of man
that he should repent." "I am God," saith he, "I change
not: therefore, ye sons of Jacob are not consumed."
When we put ourselves into the hands of Christ, we do
not confide in a Saviour who might suffer us to be
destroyed, but we rest in one who hath said, "I give
unto my sheep eternal life, and they shall never
perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand."
Instead of the doctrine of the security of the saints
leading to negligence of life, you will find that, on
the contrary, where it is thoroughly well received in
the heart by the power of the Holy Ghost, it begets
such a holy confidence in God, such a flaming gratitude
to him, that it is one of the best incentives to
consecration. Treasure up these thoughts, dear
brethren, and if you would grow in grace and in
conformity to Christ, endeavour to perceive your
personal interest in the covenant, the divine power
which guarantees its fulfilment, and the
everlastingness of its character.

In considering the nature of this consecration, I would
observe next, that they who are consecrated to God are
regarded as new men. The new manhood is indicated by
the change of name-he is called no longer Abram, but
Abraham, and his wife is no longer Sarai, but Sarah.
Ye, beloved, are new creatures in Christ Jesus. The
root and source of all consecration to God lies in
regeneration. We are "born again," a new and
incorruptible seed is placed within us which "liveth
and abideth for ever." The name of Christ is named upon
us: we are no longer called sinners and unjust, but we
become the children of God by faith which is in Christ
Jesus.

Note further that the nature of this consecration was
set forth to Abraham by the rite of circumcision. It
would not be at all fitting or decorous for us to enter
into any detail as to that mysterious rite, but it will
suffice to say that the rite of circumcision signified
the taking away of the filthiness of the flesh. We have
the apostle Paul's own interpretation of circumcision
in the verses which we read just now in his epistle to
the Colossians. Circumcision indicated to the seed of
Abraham that there was a defilement of the flesh in man
which must for ever be taken away, or man would remain
impure, and out of covenant with God. Now, beloved,
there must be, in order to our sanctification to
Christ, a giving up, a painful relinquishing of things
as dear to us as right eyes and right hands. There must
be a denying of the flesh with its affections and
lusts. We must mortify our members. There must be self-
denial if we are to enter upon the service of God. The
Holy Spirit must pass sentence of death and cutting
away upon the passions and tendencies of corrupt
humanity. Much must perish which nature would cherish,
but die it must, because grace abhors it.

Notice, with regard to circumcision, that it was
peremptorily ordained that it should be practised on
every male of the race of Abraham, and if it were
neglected, death followed. So the giving up of sin, the
giving up of the body of the filth of the flesh is
necessary to every believer. Without holiness no man
shall see the Lord. Even the babe in Christ is as much
to see death written upon the body of the filth of the
flesh as a man who, like Abraham, has reached advanced
years and come to maturity in spiritual things. There
is not distinction here between the one and the other.
"Without holiness no man shall see the Lord;" and where
a supposed grace does not take away from us a love of
sin, it is not the grace of God at all, but the
presumptuous conceit of our own vain natures.

If you want to read the full Sermon you can get it from Bible Bulletin Board