Circumcision
In the book of Genesis, there is a description of the sign of the covenant that Israel will have to know that they are the Lord’s - a physical sign that these people belonged to God. This procedure was done in their infancy and remained with them as they grew in stature. Those who did not choose circumcision were considered cut-off persons, people not living in covenant relationship.
We in intimacy and maturity experience circumcision as well, (not talking physically), but of our heart and soul. We allow Holy Spirit, in our infancy as a believer, to come in and cut away that which makes us one with the World and mark us as different and belonging to God. When we encounter this procedure, it is an exposing of who we are – we stand naked before God and allow Him to clothe us with Himself.
Genesis 17:9-14
“And God said to Abraham: “As for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generation. 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, he who is born in your house or bought with money from any foreigner who is not your descendants. He who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money must be circumcised, 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.”
Intimacy and maturity will be defined and strengthened as they allow and embrace the cutting away of nature that is not of Heaven.
1. Between – distinction
2. Foreskin – properly exposed, to strip (go naked)
3. Eight days old – child, infant
4. Not circumcised – (uncircumcised) - Cut off – living in broken covenant.
Individually and Corporately we are growing in intimacy and maturity (hopefully) day by day. The corporate relationship is referred to at the time as the BRIDE (church). Being part of a bigger part of God’s purpose, as a corporate structure, we must also have intimacy and maturity.
Isaiah 61:10-11
“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD;
my soul shall exult in my God,
for he has clothed me with the
garments of salvation;
he has covered me with the robe of
righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself like a
priest with a beautiful headdress,
and as a bride adorns herself with
her jewels.
In Exodus 4:21-26 the Lord is telling Moses of His assignment and power that he is to walk in before Pharaoh to free Israel. It says in Verse 24 that on his way back to camp Moses encountered the Lord and that the Lord’s intention was to kill Moses. In reading the story in its entirety we see that Moses had not circumcised his son. Zipporah circumcises their son and Moses’ life is spared.
You see the assignment from the Lord to Moses required that Moses’ household be in order. It required that there be corporate maturity and intimacy on behalf of Moses’ whole family. It would have been better for Moses to die at the hands of the Lord than to go into Egypt with his family in disobedience--cut off from the covenant.
Growing Up In Intimacy
Hosea 11:1 “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son.” When we are a child God calls to us. He speaks our name from heaven and we either respond to His call or not. We are the only part of creation that can choose NOT to respond. When we choose to respond He removes us from Egypt. Egypt to the Israelites was bondage and slavery.
Read Galatians 4:1-7 What are you in bondage to? What is your Egypt? ___________________________________________
When Israel was out of Egypt God called them My Son. A son is not a child. A son means to build or establish. It means maturity. A son embraces instruction, correction, deliverance, and discipline. A son does not want bondage/slavery again, but freedom within a life of covenant with the Father.
Proverbs 3:32 “For the perverse person is an abomination to the LORD, but His secret counsel is with the upright.” The perverse person is someone who is choosing their path, agenda, goals, and definitions. But the secret counsel of the Lord is in intimacy. We cannot achieve any stature of maturity by doing religious stuff or just aging in a church pew. We mature from intimacy and we seek more intimacy as we mature.
A Question for you.
Read Revelation 12:1-12 and take note of verse 11. The enemy of your soul wants you to keep from being circumcised and seeking intimacy and maturity. When you embrace these traits, his schemes plans, and deceptions that he has woven into your life are subject to the light of Truth. Furthermore; you begin the steps toward your destiny and purpose in the Kingdom. When you read verse 11 we know that our testimony is our walk with the LORD, our experiential time in the kingdom, and our journey of intimacy and maturity. So, here is the question for you to ponder:
Do you have a testimony of a child or that of an intimate son?
A child is self-directed, self-centered, and dangerous. A Son is disciplined, teachable, desires correction, and guidance, and most importantly, embraces all that goes with intimacy and maturity.