Genesis 17:15-27
We’ve seen Abraham and Sarah trying to help God along with his plan of making a great nation from them. That was by co-opting Hagar into the process. Now it’s like Abraham wants to make a kind of deal since Ishmael is now around anyway. It’s like, “Since he’s available now, let’s go with this, Lord.”
No deal. God doesn’t deal. And we don’t make deals with him. Abraham still doesn’t get it, just like we have trouble getting it: God's promise is better than what is evident or available to our discernment and ability. Now God makes the promise more concrete than it ever has been. There’s even a name: Isaac. As for Ishmael, he won’t be the one to bear the promised blessing, but God will look after him too (verse 20) and he is considered fully to be Abraham’s son (verse 26).
Proceeding with the circumcision for Abraham, Ishmael, and the those of his household, does show obedience and trust, after all, on the part of Abraham – but it took a bit of doing, didn’t it?
Prayer:
Show me your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths;
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
For you are God my Saviour,
And my hope is in you all day long.
Psalm 25:4-5
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
I circumcision a part of Christian faith? Did it end with Jesus? I can't imagine the use or point of it. I can't think of how it came to be. Why circumcision? Does this make any sense? Or is it because it is a symbol that made sense in those fleshy times, like burning dead animals? But still, why not a tattoo or brand, something less dangerous to pull off? Some of the men of that househaold probably died of infection and some others were probably rendered infertile.
I don't know the background of circumcision, but I can assure you it is not a part of Christian faith.
Post a Comment