Circumcision of the Heart

When Abram was 99, the Lord appeared to confirm his earlier covenant with Abram. He desired for Abram (and mankind) to "walk before Him and be blameless" (Genesis 17:1).

God declared that Abram would no longer be called Abram, “exalted father”, but Abraham, “father of many”. God also told Abraham to no longer call his wife, Sarai, “my princess”, but Sarah, “a princess”. She would be the mother of nations, beginning with her firstborn son, Isaac.

Abraham fell face down and laughed, thinking to himself, “Will a son be born to a man 100 years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of 90?” Having lived in Canaan for about 23 years, Abraham was still considered a foreigner, but God pledged to give this land to him and his descendants as an everlasting possession (Genesis 17: 7-8).

Then Abraham remembered his firstborn son Ishmael (from Hagar). He pled to God, “If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!” God reassured Abraham that Ishmael would not be forsaken; he would be blessed and his descendants would increase in number. He would be the father of 12 rulers, and he would be made into a great nation. This covenant, however, would not be established through him; rather through Abraham and Sarah’s son, Isaac.

As an outward sign of the everlasting covenant made between Abraham and God, all the male members of Abraham’s household, including those to come in future generations, would be required to undergo circumcision. This act would be expected of every male at least 8 days old, including those bought with money from a foreigner. Any male, who would not circumcise the flesh, will have broken the covenant requirement and will be cut off from his people.

So on that very day, Abraham (age 99), Ishmael (age 13), and all other males in the household were circumcised. For Abraham to undergo this procedure (and require it of his entire household) signified his belief in the faithfulness and judgment of God.

It was not merely for physical reasons that circumcision was required. It was to show outwardly what had been pledged inwardly--a total submission and devotion to God. The cutting away and removal of flesh was symbolic of the cutting away and removal of fleshly desires (carnality) in the life of a person who is said to be godly, or righteous. This is symbolic of a "circumcision of the heart", by the Spirit of God.

This spiritual "circumcision of the heart" is available to all who walk in the footsteps of faith of Abraham (Romans 4:12, 20-25).