Why Physical Circumcision?

NKJ Genesis 12:1 Now Yahweh had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, From your family And from your father's house, To a land that I will show you. 2 I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."

We are the children of Abraham (Galatians 3:29) and his blessing extends to us, the Commonwealth of Israel (Ephesians 2:13).

NKJ Genesis 15:1 After these things the word of Yahweh came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward." 2 But Abram said, "Lord GOD, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?" 3 Then Abram said, "Look, You have given me no offspring; indeed one born in my house is my heir!" 4 And behold, the word of Yahweh came to him, saying, "This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir." 5 Then He brought him outside and said, "Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them." And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be." 6 And he believed in Yahweh, and He accounted it to him for righteousness. 7 Then He said to him, "I am Yahweh, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to inherit it." 8 And he said, "Lord GOD, how shall I know that I will inherit it?" 9 So He said to him, "Bring Me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon." 10 Then he brought all these to Him and cut them in two, down the middle, and placed each piece opposite the other; but he did not cut the birds in two. 11 And when the vultures came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away. 12 Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, horror and great darkness fell upon him......17 And it came to pass, when the sun went down and it was dark, that behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a burning torch that passed between those pieces. 18 On the same day Yahweh made a covenant with Abram, saying: "To your Seed I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates -- 19 "the Kenites, the Kenezzites, the Kadmonites, 20 "the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, 21 "the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites."

The Seed here is singular in the Hebrew; it is in the singular masculine construct. Paul points this fact out.

Galatians 3:16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, "And to seeds," as of many, but as of one, "And to your Seed," who is Messiah. 17 And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Messiah, that it should make the promise of no effect. 18 For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise. 19 What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator......29 For as many of you as were baptized into Messiah have put on Messiah. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Messiah Yeshua. 29 And if you are Messiah's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

As we see from our Torah portion, the promise to the Seed was for the land of Israel. What is the sign of our covenant that we must have to inherit the land with Yeshua?

NAU Genesis 17:1 Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old, Yahweh appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am God Almighty; Walk before Me, and be blameless. 2 "I will establish My covenant between Me and you, And I will multiply you exceedingly." 3 Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying, 4 "As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, And you will be the father of a multitude of nations. 5 "No longer shall your name be called Abram, But your name shall be Abraham; For I will make you the father of a multitude of nations. 6 "I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you, and kings will come forth from you. 7 "I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your decendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants after you. 8 "I will give to you and to your descendants after you, the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God." 9 God said further to Abraham, "Now as for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations. 10 "This is My covenant, which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 "And you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and you. 12 "And every male among you who is eight days old shall be circumcised throughout your generations, a servant who is born in the house or who is bought with money from any foreigner, who is not of your descendants. 13 "A servant who is born in your house or who is bought with your money shall surely be circumcised; thus shall My covenant be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. 14 "But an uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant."

Physical circumcision is the sign of our covenant with Yahweh. By inference, being one with the singular Seed is part of the covenant as well. Not just any descendant of Abraham would inherit the land.

Ishmael represents this fact.

Circumcision has been a controversial topic since the beginnings of the New Covenant. It is a topic that contains much blessing if it is properly understood. It is a topic that can bring bondage and loss of salvation if it is misapplied. It is up to us as believers to dig deeper into the scriptures to see what the Spirit of Yahweh desires us to know.

KJV 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

The controversy concerning circumcision comes mainly from misunderstanding the writings of Paul.

To understand Paul’s writings, we must understand what Paul understood.

KJV Deuteronomy 4:1 Now therefore listen, O Israel, to the statutes and to the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that you may live, and go in and possess the land which Yahweh (the LORD) God of your fathers gives you.

2 You shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall you diminish ought from it, that you may keep the commandments of Yahweh (the LORD) your God which I command you.

KJV Deuteronomy 12:32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: you shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

Paul understood that the holy commandments of God, the scriptures, could never be changed. They could never be added to or taken away from. Paul’s writings never added to God’s instructions nor did they take anything away from it. Paul’s writings were given to help explain how we are to apply God’s commandments in our New Covenant walk. Our Messiah Yeshua again makes this very clear.

KJV Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Yeshua gives us the truth concerning dispensational teaching. Yeshua leaves us no doubt as to the time period of the validity of the Torah. He makes it clear that every minute detail is completely valid, that nothing has passed away or will pass away until heaven and earth pass away. For the most part, the modern Body of Believers has drifted far from God’s original teachings and instructions. As we study the scriptures we will see that circumcision of the heart is not optional, it is required. Because of modern Christian theology, circumcision of the flesh is a little harder to understand.

Let's look again at our Torah portion.

NAU Genesis 17:7 "I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your decendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants after you. 8 "I will give to you and to your descendants after you, the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God." 9 God said further to Abraham, "Now as for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations. 10 "This is My covenant, which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 "And you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and you.

It is very clear here that God gave us circumcision in the flesh as an eternal covenant. The reward associated with obedience to this commandment is eternal possession of the land here called “Canaan.” Later, Canaan was named “Israel” by God, after His covenant people. This is the place that the prophets tell us He is calling us back to, where He reunites all His people when He returns.

Israel, His covenant people, was given further instructions as we were being delivered from Egypt.

Exodus 12:37 Then the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides children. 38 A mixed multitude went up with them also, and flocks and herds -- a great deal of livestock....43 And Yahweh said to Moses and Aaron, "This is the ordinance of the Passover: No foreigner shall eat it. 44 "But every man's servant who is bought for money, when you have circumcised him, then he may eat it. 45 "A sojourner and a hired servant shall not eat it. 46 "In one house it shall be eaten; you shall not carry any of the flesh outside the house, nor shall you break one of its bones. 47 "All the congregation of Israel shall keep it. 48 "And when a stranger dwells with you and wants to keep the Passover to Yahweh, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as a native of the land. For no uncircumcised person shall eat it. 49 "One law shall be for the native-born and for the stranger who dwells among you."

Passover was not optional. All Israel was commanded to keep it. No uncircumcised person could eat it. It is very clear from this passage that circumcision in the flesh was not optional for any of Israel. God has never had 2 different sets of laws for two different groups of people. As we were leaving Egypt, there was a mixed multitude who left with us. God then brought us to Mt. Sinai to give us further instruction and to reiterate the commandment of circumcision. Here again God gives us a second witness as to the proper timing to circumcise our sons.

Leviticus 12:1 Yahweh spoke to Moses and said, 2 'Speak to the Israelites and say: "If a woman becomes pregnant and gives birth to a boy, she will be unclean for seven days as when in a state of uncleanness due to menstruation. 3 On the eighth day the child's foreskin must be circumcised.

It is the parents responsibility to circumcise their sons on the eighth day. Unfortunately, we did not follow these instructions while we were in the wilderness.

NJB Joshua 5:1 When all the kings of the Amorites living to westward across the Jordan, and all the kings of the Canaanites living on the seaboard, heard that Yahweh had dried up the waters of the Jordan before the Israelites until they had crossed, their hearts failed and they lost all courage to resist the Israelites. 2 At this time Yahweh said to Joshua, 'Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites again (a second time). 3 Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the Israelites on the Hill of Foreskins. 4 The reason why Joshua circumcised them was this. All the males of the people who had come out of Egypt of age to bear arms had died in the desert on their journey after leaving Egypt. 5 Now, all the people who came out had been circumcised; but none of those born in the desert, during the journey, after leaving Egypt, had been circumcised; 6 for the Israelites walked the desert for forty years, until the whole nation had died out, that is, the men who had come out of Egypt of age to bear arms; they had not obeyed the voice of Yahweh, and Yahweh had sworn to them never to let them see the land which he had sworn to their ancestors that he would give us, a land flowing with milk and honey. 7 But in place of these he set their sons, and these were the ones whom Joshua circumcised: they were uncircumcised because they had not been circumcised during the journey. 8 When the circumcising of the whole nation was finished, they stayed resting in the camp till they were well again. 9 Yahweh then said to Joshua, 'Today I have taken the shame of Egypt away from you.' Hence, the place has been called Gilgal ever since.

Abraham had been walking in covenant with God for between 11 and 24 years when God gave him circumcision. Circumcision was an act of obedience on Abraham’s part. It was a token in his flesh that reflected the condition of his heart. Circumcision of our children is an act of obedience on our part. Our children have no say in the matter at eight days old. Refusing to circumcise their children in the wilderness was a sign of the condition of the hearts of the majority of the people that came out of Egypt. This was not the children’s fault.

As a result of disobedient hearts, the majority of Israelites died in the wilderness and did not get to inherit the promised land. The children of Israel were given the opportunity to obey upon entering the land. Notice that it is not stated that this act brought them into covenant with God. They were already in covenant with God. This act, like Abraham’s, was and act of obedience that reflected the condition of their hearts. The result of their obedience was the reproach of Egypt being removed from them. The reproach of Egypt was the result of their parents’ disobedience. Egypt is a symbol of disobedience.

Notice also that again God ties circumcision in the flesh to inheriting the land of Israel.

We have examined the foundation for circumcision; now let us look at it in the writings of the Apostles.

John 7:22 "Moses therefore gave you circumcision, and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. 23 "If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath, so that the Torah of Moses should not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made a man completely well on the Sabbath?

As God was delivering Israel, He made it clear that the mixed multitude were required to be circumcised as well. Circumcision was to be done to their children on the eighth day. Yeshua agrees here that circumcision on the eighth day is to be observed even if it falls on Shabbat. If it was avoided on the Sabbath, the Torah of God given through Moses would be broken.

Salvation was always obtained by first believing in God and all that He has instructed and then obeying those instructions. This is called being saved by faith. Unfortunately not all the believing Jews understood this.

Acts 15:1 And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved." 2 Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question.... 4 And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done with them. 5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, "It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses." 6 Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. 7 And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: "Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 "So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, 9 "and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10 "Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 "But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Yeshua Messiah we shall be saved in the same manner as they." 12 Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles. 13 And after they had become silent, James answered, saying, "Men and brethren, listen to me: 14 "Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name. 15 "And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written: 16 'After this I will return And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, And I will set it up; 17 So that the rest of mankind may seek Yahweh, Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, Says Yahweh who does all these things.' 18 "Known to God from eternity are all His works. 19 "Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God, 20 "but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood. 21 "For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath."

This yoke that the believing Pharisees were trying to put on the necks of the believing gentiles was not the yoke of God’s Torah, it was the yoke of rabbinic traditions called the Oral Law. Peter points out that the circumcised Jews will be saved the same way as the uncircumcised believing gentiles. We are all saved by faith.

The four things that the gentiles were required to do, or better, do no longer, were all things done in worship to their former pagan gods. What James was telling them was that they were required to repent. This was the message of John the Baptist (Matt 3:1-2), Yeshua (Matt 4:17), the twelve apostles being sent out (Mark 6:7-12), and Peter at the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:37,38). Notice that it appears at first glance that James did not give them instructions on what they were to do. Yet as we look at verse 21 above we can see with a closer look that he really did.

What we erroneously call the Old Testament today was the only Bible that the early Believers had. The scriptures in their day were hand written on scrolls. It took a whole year just to write out the Torah by hand. The Prophets and the other Writings were written on other scrolls. Needless to say, very few people had their own copy of the scriptures. The place to hear the scriptures read was the synagogue on Shabbat.

James was instructing the new believers to go and hear the scriptures every Sabbath so that you can learn what you have been made a partaker of. God’s Torah, His teaching and instructions, is the standard that every believer is expected to live by, as we have seen in our study.

Abraham did not have confidence in the fact that his flesh was circumcised. He had confidence that God was faithful. Abraham believed God. Abraham had faith in God.

KJV Romans 4:1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?

2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.

3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,

7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.

10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.

11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:

12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.

13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.

Here we see that physical circumcision for Abraham was a physical sign and seal of the righteousness of the faith that he had before he was circumcised. Paul makes it clear here that Abraham was saved by faith, and not by the act of physical circumcision, but he does not explain what faith is comprised of. What exactly is faith?

KJV James 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

James, unlike Paul, explains the essence of faith, how faith works. If Abraham had refused to offer up Isaac, Abraham’s faith would have become dead. Obedience to God, whether by direct communication from His Spirit or from God’s written instructions contained in His Torah is an integral part of faith. If we refuse to obey, our faith becomes dead. Let's look at what Paul tells us about Titus.

KJV Galatians 2:1 Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.

2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.

3 But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:

4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Messiah Yeshua, that they might bring us into bondage:

5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

Titus knew that circumcision was not required to enter covenant with God. He also knew that if he were to be circumcised before he was ready or to try to obtain righteousness by it then Messiah would profit him nothing. He would actually loose what he had obtained by faith because he would no longer be in faith. Whatever is not of faith is sin (Rom 14:23).

KJV Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Messiah hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Messiah shall profit you nothing.

3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.

4 Messiah is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

6 For in Messiah Yeshua neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

8 This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you.

9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

10 I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.

11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.

12 I would they were even cut off which trouble you.

The yoke of bondage that Paul speaks of, here again, is the yoke of rabbinic tradition. If you are circumcised because of rabbinic tradition, Messiah profits you nothing. If you are circumcised to be justified by obedience to the Torah, Messiah profits you nothing. As we have seen, we can only be justified by faith.

Paul did not teach circumcision in the flesh. He didn’t have to. The non Jew would learn about this at the synagogue on Shabbat. Paul preached the Good News of the Messiah and His ultimate sacrifice that was not being taught at the synagogue. Paul also came against the false teachings that ignorant men propagated.

Circumcision in the flesh is the last commandment that a man who was not circumcised on the eighth day should keep. Circumcision commits us to keep the whole Torah. If we are to be a debtor to keep the whole Torah, we had better know the whole Torah. This is not a bad thing. We can do this by God’s Spirit in us (Ezek. 36:26-27). We first must understand the whole Torah. This comes by study and meditation.

NKJ Joshua 1:7 "Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.

8 "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Obviously it is a good thing to keep the whole law. It brings prosperity and good success. Paul is telling us that if you are not ready to keep the whole law, if you do not know the whole Torah, do not become circumcised. By becoming circumcised, you are obligating yourself to keep the whole Torah. This is a bad thing if you do not know the whole Torah because violating it will then bring a curse. This is a good thing if you are mature enough in your understanding because it will bring prosperity and good success.

KJV Galatians 6:12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Messiah.

13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.

14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Yeshua Messiah, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

15 For in Messiah Yeshua neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

KJV 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Messiah, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Paul is emphasizing the condition of the heart here. When we enter covenant with God through faith in the sacrifice of Yeshua, when we totally submit to Him as our Master, we literally are created anew spiritually. Our hearts become circumcised. Circumcision in the flesh or the keeping of the other commandments without a circumcised heart profits us nothing.

KJV Romans 2:25 For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.

28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:

29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

Paul makes it clear that there is profit in circumcision if you keep the Torah. If you are circumcised and do not keep the Torah, it is as if you were not circumcised at all to God. Some people do not realize that circumcision of the heart was not just commanded in the New Covenant; it is not just a new covenant principle. God has always expected this of His covenant people.

Deuteronomy 10:11 And Yahweh said to me, "Be on your way at the head of this people, so that they can go and take possession of the country which I swore to their ancestors that I would give them." 12 'And now, Israel, what does Yahweh your God ask of you? Only this: to fear Yahweh your God, to follow all his ways, to love him, to serve Yahweh your God with all your heart and all your soul, 13 to keep the commandments and laws of Yahweh, which I am laying down for you today for your own good. 14 'Look, to Yahweh your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth and everything on it; 15 yet it was on your ancestors, for love of them, that Yahweh set his heart to love them, and he chose their descendants after them, you yourselves, out of all nations, up to the present day. 16 Circumcise your heart then and be obstinate no longer; 17 for Yahweh your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, triumphant and terrible, free of favouritism, never to be bribed. 18 He it is who sees justice done for the orphan and the widow, who loves the stranger and gives him food and clothing. 19 (Love the stranger then, for you were once strangers in Egypt.) 20 Yahweh your God is the one whom you must fear and serve; to him you must hold firm; in his name take your oaths.

Jeremiah calls Israel back to this command.

Jeremiah 4:1-4 'If you come back, Israel, Yahweh declares, if you come back to me, if you take your Horrors out of my sight, if you go roving no more, 2 if you swear, "As Yahweh lives!" truthfully, justly, uprightly, then the nations will bless themselves by him and glory in him. 3 'For Yahweh says this to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, "Clear the ground that lies neglected, do not sow among thorns. 4 Circumcise yourselves for Yahweh, apply circumcision to your hearts, men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, or my wrath will leap out like a fire and burn with no one to quench it, in return for the wickedness of your deeds."

The circumcision of our hearts has always been required. This is accomplished by complete faith in Yahweh like Abraham had.

KJV 1 Corinthians 7:18 Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.

19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.

20 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.

Circumcision is obviously one of the commandments of God. It is the last commandment that an uncircumcised male should observe. By being circumcised you are committing to keep the whole Torah. If you do not know the whole Torah, how can you keep it? You are to remain in the condition that you were called in until the Master calls you to a higher level.

KJV Acts 16:1 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:

2 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.

3 Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.

Timothy had obviously matured to a point that he was ready to receive circumcision in the flesh. With circumcision came privilege. Timothy would have been able to accompany Paul as Paul went to God’s temple to worship as God had instructed. Titus would not have been able to until he was ready to be circumcised.

KJV Romans 3:1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?

2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.

All of the vessels that God chose to write down His teachings and instructions were circumcised in the heart and in the flesh. They were obedient in Spirit and in truth. They were given to us as examples. We can see the relevance of circumcision in the past and in the present, but what about the future?

Isaiah 56:1 Thus says Yahweh: Make fair judgement your concern, act with justice, for soon my salvation will come and my saving justice be manifest. 2 Blessed is anyone who does this, anyone who clings to it, observing the Sabbath, not profaning it, and abstaining from every evil deed. 3 No foreigner adhering to Yahweh should say, 'Yahweh will utterly exclude me from his people.' No eunuch should say, 'Look, I am a dried-up tree.' 4 For Yahweh says this: To the eunuchs who observe my Sabbaths and choose to do my good pleasure and cling to my covenant, 5 I shall give them in my house and within my walls a monument and a name better than sons and daughters; I shall give them an everlasting name that will never be effaced. 6 As for foreigners who adhere to Yahweh to serve him, to love Yahweh's name and become his servants, all who observe the Sabbath, not profaning it, and cling to my covenant: 7 these I shall lead to my holy mountain and make them joyful in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar, for my house will be called a house of prayer for all peoples.

We know from our study that a stranger taking hold of God’s covenant would include not only circumcision of the heart but also the eternal covenant of circumcision of the flesh after a proper understanding of its purpose. Circumcision of the flesh, as well as the keeping of the rest of God’s commandments shows our love for our Father and His ways (1 John 5:3). This pleases Him greatly. Ezekiel leaves no doubt whatsoever.

KJV Ezekiel 44:9 Thus saith the Lord GOD; No stranger, uncircumcised in heart, nor uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter into my sanctuary, of any stranger that is among the children of Israel.

The question is not “do I have to be circumcised to be saved?” The real questions we need to ask is “How close can I get to God in worship? How can I please Him more?” In the future millennial kingdom there will be two different groups of people who were not circumcised on the eighth day. Which group do you want yourself and your children to be part of?

NKJ Isaiah 60:1 Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of Yahweh is risen upon you.

2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But Yahweh will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you.

3 The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising.

10 " The sons of foreigners shall build up your walls, And their kings shall minister to you; For in My wrath I struck you, But in My favor I have had mercy on you.

11 Therefore your gates shall be open continually; They shall not be shut day or night, That men may bring to you the wealth of the Gentiles, And their kings in procession.

12 For the nation and kingdom which will not serve you shall perish, And those nations shall be utterly ruined.

13 "The glory of Lebanon shall come to you, The cypress, the pine, and the box tree together, To beautify the place of My sanctuary; And I will make the place of My feet glorious.

14 Also the sons of those who afflicted you Shall come bowing to you, And all those who despised you shall fall prostrate at the soles of your feet; And they shall call you The City of Yahweh, Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

15 " Whereas you have been forsaken and hated, So that no one went through you, I will make you an eternal excellence, A joy of many generations.

16 You shall drink the milk of the Gentiles, And milk the breast of kings; You shall know that I, Yahweh, am your Savior And your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.

61:4 And they shall rebuild the old ruins, They shall raise up the former desolations, And they shall repair the ruined cities, The desolations of many generations.

5 Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, And the sons of the foreigner Shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.

6 But you shall be named the priests of Yahweh, They shall call you the servants of our God. You shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, And in their glory you shall boast.

This is the first group. Let’s look at the second group.

NKJ Ezekiel 47:21 " Thus you shall divide this land among yourselves according to the tribes of Israel.

22 "It shall be that you will divide it by lot as an inheritance for yourselves, and for the strangers who dwell among you and who bear children among you. They shall be to you as native-born among the children of Israel; they shall have an inheritance with you among the tribes of Israel.

23 "And it shall be that in whatever tribe the stranger dwells, there you shall give him his inheritance," says the Lord GOD.

Remember that physical circumcision was always tied to inheriting the land of Israel. Both of these groups are blessed by God. The first group gets to come up to worship God at the place that He chose to place His name. The second group gets to make their home in their inheritance in the heart of God’s land.

Our present life on this earth is a test. Will we choose the ways of God? If we refuse to follow fully all the commandments of God, do we have a right to expect God’s full and complete blessings for all eternity? If we refuse to be circumcised in the flesh in this present age, can we expect our glorified bodies to be raised circumcised? Remember that Yeshua’s glorified body still contained the wounds of His crucifixion. I am sure that His back still had the stripes that paid the price for our healing as well.

You as a believing non-Jew have a choice to make. You can be part of the nations and be blessed by God with a double portion or you can be part of God’s physical people, His physical priests, and have a part in His land. Physical circumcision has a place in the future. It brings you to a higher level with God.

Choose wisely.

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