Why did the LORD choose circumcision as a sign of the Abraham covenant?

[tonychanyt]

Ge 17:

9 God said to Abraham, “As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations. 10 This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised.

It is a physical distinction in a man's most intimate body part. It is not visible to others in everyday interactions.

In contrast, the yakuza, a Japanese criminal organization, performs a ritual called yubitsume to atone for offenses, show remorse, or be punished. Yubitsume involves the self-amputation of a joint of the left little finger. This is obviously visible.

Circumcision is an intimate physical sign between YHWH and a Jew.

It is a regular reminder, particularly during sexual intercourse of procreation. Their offspring will also be circumcised.

It is a permanent sign. The foreskin does not grow back. The procedure is irreversible.

It was a kind of blood sacrifice. A part of a male's body is cut off, shedding some blood.

It uniquely identified the Israelites as a nation holy to the Lord.

Why did the LORD choose circumcision as a sign of the covenant?

It created a personal, intimate connection between the individual and God. I can't think of an alternative sign/ritual that possesses the above properties.

 

[Hoping2]

Ge 17:


It is a physical distinction in a man's most intimate body part. It is not visible to others in everyday interactions.

In contrast, the yakuza, a Japanese criminal organization, performs a ritual called yubitsume to atone for offenses, show remorse, or be punished. Yubitsume involves the self-amputation of a joint of the left little finger. This is obviously visible.

Circumcision is an intimate physical sign between YHWH and a Jew.

It is a regular reminder, particularly during sexual intercourse of procreation. Their offspring will also be circumcised.

It is a permanent sign. The foreskin does not grow back. The procedure is irreversible.

It was a kind of blood sacrifice. A part of a male's body is cut off, shedding some blood.

It uniquely identified the Israelites as a nation holy to the Lord.

Why did the LORD choose circumcision as a sign of the covenant?

It created a personal, intimate connection between the individual and God. I can't think of an alternative sign/ritual that possesses the above properties.

Circumcision was an OT presage of the severing of the flesh in the NT.
They did it with a knife, while we do it without hands;, by faith in what occurs at water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of past sins.
Now we can walk in the Spirit, instead of the flesh.

 

[Rose_bud]

Circumcision was more than a physical ritual, but a symbol of Gods covenant promise to ensure the continuation of Abrahams lineage, ultimately leading to the birth of the Messiah. The fact that circumcision involved a cut in the procreative area of a male, served as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty over life, fertility, the continuation of His people and His Promises. (All the patriarchs and matriarchs somehow had a struggle with conception/ fertility - for it was by promise, not human effort). As it was never about the natural procreative ability of humanity as the Messiahs birth did not come through natural procreation with a male, but through the miraculous conception of Jesus Christ, born of the Virgin Mary born by promise. Underscoring the supernatural nature of Gods covenant promises and the ultimate fulfillment of Abrahams hope in the person of Jesus Christ.

It was about belonging to a family, a people group that was looking forward to the God that would give life, but more so eternal life (every male in Abrahams household was circumcised, even Ishmael)

As this covenant sign also symbolised Abrahams waiting for an eternal and resurrected life, reflecting his faith in God's power to restore and bring new life. Despite Abraham and Sarahs physical decay, they experienced renewal after receiving the covenant sign, it demonstrated and prophesied Gods power over decay and His ability to bring new life.

Romans 4:19 NIV
Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead.

Hebrews also highlights the hope of Abrahams faith, which was not just about receiving a physical heir, but about God's promise of restoration and the new life through the Messiah, being able to raise from the dead, even a son.

It was always a matter of the heart first, both Moses and the Prophets continuously reflected this understanding. The sign was to symbolise trust in God to keep His Promise. The Promised Seed that would bless all the nations with life in Him.

 

[KevinT]

It created a personal, intimate connection between the individual and God. I can't think of an alternative sign/ritual that possesses the above properties.

And as a positive side effect, there are health benefits to circumcision as well.

Best wishes

KT

 

[Jerry N.]

And as a positive side effect, there are health benefits to circumcision as well.

Best wishes

KT

The Mayo Clinic writes:

Circumcision might have various health benefits, including:

Easier hygiene. Circumcision makes it simpler to wash the penis. Still, boys who haven't been circumcised can be taught to wash regularly beneath the foreskin.

Lower risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs). The risk of UTIs in males is low. But these infections are more common in males who haven't been circumcised. Serious infections early in life can lead to kidney problems later.

Lower risk of sexually transmitted infections. Men who have been circumcised might have a lower risk of certain sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. But it's still key to have safe sex, which includes use of condoms.

Prevention of penile problems. Sometimes, the foreskin on a penis that hasn't been circumcised can be hard or impossible to pull back. This is called phimosis. It can lead to swelling, called inflammation, of the foreskin or head of the penis.

Lower risk of penile cancer. Although cancer of the penis is rare, it's less common in men who have been circumcised. What's more, cervical cancer is less common in the female sexual partners of men who have been circumcised.

Circumcision (male) - Mayo Clinic

www.mayoclinic.org

 

[Paleouss]

God often shows us things that cannot be seen, spiritually, through picture stories within the Bible. According to Paul, Romans 2:29, "circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not the letter."

Physical circumcision is the earthly, fleshly covenant made in history to the Jews that is a representation of what is actually going on inwardly, spiritually, with God's covenant with those of the body of Christ, i.e., circumcision of the heart.

Peace to you brothers