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Daily Devotions

Genesis

Genesis 
Day 
Day 118

"Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness." Psalm 37:3

Text: Genesis 21:1-34

THE SIGN OF THE CIRCUMCISION

Even more significant than the naming of Isaac was the performance of the rite of circumcision. Abraham made sure that Isaac was circumcised according to God’s instructions.

“Then Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was
eight days old, as God had commanded him.”

GENESIS 21:4

Let us recall what the Lord said to Abraham when He first gave him instructions concerning the sign of the circumcision.

“This is My covenant which you shall keep,
between Me and you and your descendants after you:
every male child among you shall be circumcised; and you shall
be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign
of the Covenant between Me and you. He who is eight days old
among you shall be circumcised, every male child in your
generations… And My Covenant shall be in your flesh
for an everlasting covenant. 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 17:10-14

1. An Everlasting Covenant

What a great covenant the Lord had given to Abraham! Imagine a covenant that lasts from one generation to another… forever!

2. Fear of breaking the Covenant

Imagine again the thought of breaking God’s covenant through disobedience! The guilty person would be cut off from the Abrahamic covenant. That would be unthinkable!

3. “My Covenant in your flesh”

What does this phrase mean? Let us ponder the following thoughts:-

a) It represents the removal of filth from life.

b) It represents a life of holy consecration to the Lord.

c) It represents permanence of a relationship.

d) It represents obedience to the Lord as a distinctive characteristic.

e) It well symbolizes faith and trust in the Lord.

f) A little suffering is felt by the baby. But that is nothing compared to God’s blessings!