By looking in Strong's, we can discover the other places in the Bible where circumcision is mentioned. Let's do that in order to learn more about this practice. The next place where it's mentioned after Genesis 17 is Genesis 21:4.
Who was the next person circumcised?
What is the reason given for his circumcision?
The next reference to it is in Genesis 34 in reference to the rape of Dinah, the daughter of Leah and Jacob.
There's an interesting account in Exodus 4 that I really hadn't paid much attention to previously. Read Exodus 4:24-26.
Whom is the Lord seeking to put to death?
Then what happens?
What had Moses neglected to do?
In thinking about what we've learned about circumcision so far, what do you think is going on here?
Exodus 12:37-50 contains the next reference. This one is talking about who may eat the newly established Passover.
What is necessary if a person wishes to celebrate the Passover with God's people?
Now, read Leviticus 12:1-3.
Who spoke?
To whom did He speak?
What did He say?
At this point, circumcision has officially become a part of the written law.
As I did this short study, the passage about the celebration of Passover struck me. Our acceptance of the good news of Christ is a Passover experience for us, where we leave our old life of slavery behind and enter into the freedom of a citizen of God's kingdom. In the process of that transition, our old fleshly life must be cut away, as the foreskin is cut away in circumcision.
That's what I like about digging into the Bible--new, fresh meanings surface, making sense out of things that might previously have puzzled me, helping me to better understand the way that God works and how I need to live in accordance with His ways. Alleluia!
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