E-pistle for April 17, 2009
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E-pistle
Dr. Dan Hite, President FreeWay Foundation April 17, 2009
Circumcision: God's Covenant Sign
(Genesis 17:1-27)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the drastic changes initiated by God in this chapter
1. God changed Abram ("Father is exalted") to Abraham
("Father of a multitude") v. 5. Sarai was changed to Sarah
("Princess"), v. 15.
2. God re-established His everlasting covenant with Abraham,
vv. 2, 6-9.
3. The Lord put into place the covenant sign: circumcision,
vv. 10-14, 23-27.
4. The Lord named the coming son of promise Isaac ("Laughter")
vv. 17-21.
II. Meditation: on the spiritual significance of these events
1. Both Abram and Sarai underwent a spiritual change by the power
of God . . . characterized by an "h" being added to their original
names (Abraham and Sarah). The "h" sound in Hebrew represents
the wind or breath of God, so perhaps these name changes signified
the entry of the Holy Spirit into their beings (?).
2. God's continual repetition and expansion of His covenant promises
to Abraham (Genesis 12, 13, 15, and 17) signified the Lord's
determination to encourage Abraham's faith and hope that His
promises surely would be fulfilled.
3. Circumcision became the sign of God's covenant with Abraham's
descendants; Abraham and his family all were circumcised on the
same day, vv. 24-27.
4. Isaac, Abraham's second son, was chosen to receive God's covenant
blessings, rather than his first son, Ishmael. (See Galatians 4:22-31)
III. Revelation: on the lessons of circumcision
1. It involves shedding of blood – a ceremony of initiation into the Hebrew
nation, sealed with blood . . . the life of the flesh, Leviticus 17:11.
2. It involves cutting away flesh – signifying the removal of a physical part
to allow the magnification of the spiritual part of man.
3. It involves pain and suffering – the rite always includes a sacrifice through
which a person can move into a healing, joyful relationship with God.
4. It involves the reproductive organ – the act of surgically removing the
foreskin of the male genital organ is connected to the process of
human procreation. Note this spiritual picture: Abraham was circumcised
(entered God's community of faith) before he fathered Isaac, vv. 21, 26.
Spiritual relationship precedes productivity!
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Allow God's indwelling Spirit to totally transform my life, II Corinthians 5:17.
2. Conform to God's sovereign plan, not insisting on my own will and way.
3. Base my faith and hope on the sure foundation of God's word.
4. Identify the Old Testament covenant sign (circumcision) with the New
Testament covenant sign (baptism) . . . being spiritually "circumcised" in
Ears, lips, and heart, Deuteronomy 10:16; Exodus 6:12; Jeremiah 4:4; 6:10;
Romans 2:27-28; I Peter 3:21.
Is Anything Too hard For The Lord?
(Genesis 18:1-33)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the highlights of this chapter
1. Abraham and Sarah entertained three travelers, vv. 1-8.
2. The Lord promised that Sarah would bear a son, but she laughed
scornfully and was rebuked by Him, vv. 9-15.
3. The Lord told Abraham of the pending destruction of Sodom and
Gomorrah, vv. 16-21.
4. Abraham "bargained," asking God to have mercy on these wicked
cities, for the sake of those few citizens who were righteous, vv. 22-33.
II. Meditation: on the truths revealed through these events
1. The three travelers were the Lord (a pre-incarnation appearance of Jesus
Christ) and two angels, 18:1; 13, 17-23; 19:1, 16.
2. Sarah's laugh was made in derision and faithfulness, and the Lord said:
"Is anything too hard? . . . At the appointed time (you) shall bear a son,"
v. 14. Earlier Abraham's laugh (Genesis 17:17) was an expression of
amazement and joy of the good news of God's promised heir.
3. The Lord always reveals what He is about to bring to pass, to at least one
of His faithful, spiritually perceptive people, v. 17; Amos 3:7.
4. Continuing intercessory prayer for the lives of endangered persons is
patiently heard by the Lord, Who is willing to extend His mercy and grace
for the sake of only a few believers.
III. Revelation: on the spiritual implications of these events
1. The Lord appears to, and has intimate fellowship with, those persons who
invite Him into their lives and homes, Revelation 3:20.
2. God knows our hearts; we cannot deceive Him with our lies or half-truths
. . . He sternly confronts us about our sins!
3. God wants His people to know what He is doing and why . . . so He reveals
His will and purpose to His faithful messengers (prophets).
4. The Lord is willing to remove or delay His punishment upon a city full of
wicked persons, on the basis of a few righteous ones, and in response to
the intercessory prayer of only one concerned, compassionate soul.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Daily and continually welcome the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ into
my life, in sweet communion and intimate fellowship.
2. Believe God's promises to me personally; with integrity, rejoice in His
almighty power.
3. Listen for God's revelation to my heart and mind, to my soul and spirit;
receive His enlightening word with discerning faith.
4. Engage in intercessory prayer, asking God's mercy and grace upon my
city, as well as upon my state, nation, and the world.
A painfully shy man fell in love with a young woman. He sensed that she felt the
same way, but he couldn't find the courage to ask her out.
Finally he decided he would mail her a love letter every day for one year, and
then ask her for a date.
Faithfully, he followed his plan, and at year's end he was courageous enough to
call her – only to discover she'd married the letter carrier.
- From Good Stuff
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