Circumcision was a sign of the Covenant. Genesis 17: 10 This is the covenant that you and your descendants must keep: Each male among you must be circumcised…13 All must be circumcised. Your bodies will bear the mark of my everlasting covenant.” [1]
God’s covenant promised Abraham many descendants and the land of Canaan to these descendants. Abraham’s part was to obey and mark each male in his household. Since this covenant involved Abraham’s “seed,” it was appropriate to mark the male organ of generation.
Why Circumcision?
Circumcision distinguished the “seed” of Abraham from the “seed” of the Gentiles. The Messiah Jesus came from Abraham’s line. Circumcision also symbolizes the putting away of the sin of the flesh. This sign would remind the circumcised men of their covenant with God daily. Since the sexual organ was marked, it would also remind them of the duty of cultivating purity as part of their obedience to God.
Circumcision is not a means of salvation but a mark of separation as one in covenant with God. It demonstrated a relationship with God. If the most private part was dedicated to the glory of God, so must the whole person. When a wife became one flesh with her husband, she, too, became sexually dedicated to God.
Circumcision of the Heart
Unfortunately, the Pharisees of Jesus’ day saw circumcision as their salvation. This had never been God’s intention. God wanted obedience. Deuteronomy 10:16 Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn.[2] Jesus came to provide forgiveness for our sin and bring the empowering of the Holy Spirit.
Colossians 2: 11 When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature.[3]As we believe and trust Jesus, He circumcises our hearts.
Romans 2: 29 No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.[4]
The Old Testament circumcision was a sign of the covenant and removed a part of the body. Now, a spiritual circumcision of the Holy Spirit deals radically with the sinful nature. It is the circumcision of Christ that is important to the Christian believer and enables the believer to live a new life.
To learn more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/covenant-gods-promise-of-faithfulness
[1,3,4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.
[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Dt 10:15–16). (2016). Crossway Bibles.