Genesis 17:9-14,23-27

Note in Ch. 17 the outline provided by the Spirit:

·       v4: As for Me (God)

·       v9: As for you (Abraham)

·       v15: as for Sarai your wife

What is the significance of circumcision?  First, it is the sign of the covenant.  It is not the covenant itself nor is it a guarantee.  The unconditional covenant has been guaranteed by God alone.  As a sign it is Abraham’s means of expressing his faith in Almighty God.

Second, it is an act of faith linked to the central issue of God’s promise, the promise of a son (Son).  Circumcision deals with the male and procreation.  It puts the covenant in your flesh (v13), recognizing the physical passing on of the seed.  God commanded Abraham to walk blameless (17:1); circumcision provides the opportunity to show his obedient faith as the “seal of the righteousness of faith” (Ro. 4:11).

Circumcision in the Old Testament and water baptism in the New Testament are similar in several ways.

·       Both are external signs of internal (spiritual) truths.

·       Both illustrate salvation (Col. 2:11-12).  One speaks of cutting away of the body of sins through the circumcision of Christ; the other of the believer’s union with Christ’s death, burial and resurrection.

·       Both speak of Christ, one of the Male Child promised through Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3); the other of the fulfillment in Jesus Christ.

·       Both are acts of faith, coming after faith that counts one righteous.

·       Neither saves the individual (Rom. 4:9-12; Acts 2:38-41), but refusal to do either indicates a lack of saving faith. 

Note that there are also differences.

·       One is the act of believing parents; the other the act of the believer.

·       One is a sign of God’s covenant with Abraham; the other a sign of the believer’s union with Christ.

·       One involves every male; the other every believer (Gal. 3:27-29).

The issue in everyday life is always faith.  Let us remember: faith produces!  Faith without works is dead (Jas. 2:17).  He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar … (1 John 2:4).  Water baptism is the beginning act of obedience in the life of one whose faith is in Christ.  Is your faith like that of Abraham’s?