How much more personal can God get when it comes to a covenant?
I was talking with a mother of a new college student the other day. She was desperate to see her daughter go to a good college. She was waiting and waiting for the award letter to come in the mail, telling her how much she would have to contribute for the school bill to be paid. She had already lined up a second and possible third job if she needed it.
Promise and hope for people throughout the history of the world has come through their children. This may not be a good time to be living in right now, things might be hard for us, but there will be a brighter day for our children. This is the motivation for us when we fight wars, build new industry, work ourselves to death so we can pay for college tuition.
The promise that was made to Abraham was also made through the child to come. He would be a great nation. He and his old wife Sarah would have a child. This was the covenant the LORD was making with Abraham. He would give Abraham a child and make a great nation out of him. That was God’s part. Abraham’s part was to cut his foreskin off. Really???
It took me a long time to think this one through. Why in the world would God ask for such a thing? He didn’t ask for half of his income, or some sort of bull offering sacrificial ceremony. No lambs, goats, or cows to lay on the alter. Foreskins, this is the offering required.
The truth is, I don’t think Abraham ever forgot that covenant! Every time he made love to his wife, with the possibility that this time might bring the promised son, he would remember it was God who would bring forth this promise. God promised him a son, he believed it, and he was reminded everyday in a very personal way that he believed it.
Later in the history of Israel, it is clear the symbol of circumcision is not quite so memorable any more. God calls for a circumcision of the heart rather than just the flesh. At 100 years old Abraham was bound to remember the day of circumcision very well, but when it happens when you are 8 days old it doesn’t stay in your mind so well anymore.
God once again wants a personal commitment from his people. He wants them to really truly follow him. Not just on the outside but on the inside as well. So he promises them a new heart and a new mind. That he will be the one that gives them the motivation they need to follow him.
This passage reminds me to commit every area of my life to God. Not just my sexuality, also my finances, my job, my marriage, my spirituality, and my parenting. This is the best way for me to offer my daughter a brighter day. A personal commitment to God and a daily commitment to God so that like Abraham I will never forget where my hope of a better day comes from.
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