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"Circumcision is indeed profitable if you keep the law..."

Text: Romans 2:25

THE RITE OF CIRCUMCISION

If there was an all-important rite in Jewish theology and heritage, it would be circumcision. In order to understand Paul’s argument about circumcision, we need to look at the origin of this rite. The following details must be noted.

1. Circumcision is closely related to the Abrahamic Covenant.

2. It was the sign of the Covenant God established with Abraham.

“It shall be the sign of the covenant between
Me and you…”
Genesis 17:11

a) God was the One who originated this idea.

b) He established circumcision as the sign of the Abrahamic covenant.

3. It was the sign of an everlasting covenant in the flesh.

“And My covenant shall be in your flesh
for an everlasting covenant.”
Genesis 17:13

a) Circumcision has a permanent effect.

b) It symbolized the everlasting nature of the Abrahamic covenant.

c) The Covenant was meant to be personally experienced… “in your flesh”.

4. The significance of Circumcision

“And the uncircumcised male child, who is not circumcised
in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off
from his people, he has broken My covenant.”
Genesis 17:14

a) Non-circumcision must be understood in its full significance

i) It involves a personal decision (by the parents).

ii) It reflects a disregard for God’s command.

iii) It is a repudiation of the Abrahamic covenant.

iv) It is the breaking of God’s covenant.

b) The individual would be cut off from his people.