January 9th - Reflection

Genesis 17:1-13 (NRSV)
Circumcision a covenant sign
When Abram was ninety nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said to him, "I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless. And I will make my covenant between me and you, and will make you exceedingly numerous." Then Abram fell on his face; and God said to him, "As for me, this is my covenant with you: You shall be the ancestor of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you the ancestor of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. I will establish my covenant between me and you, and your offspring after you throughout their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. And I will give to you, and to your offspring after you, the land where you are now an alien, all the land of Canaan, for a perpetual holding; and I will be their God."

God said to Abraham, "As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations. This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. You shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you. Throughout your generations every male among you shall be circumcised when he is eight days old, including the slave born in your house and the one bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring. Both the slave born in your house and the one bought with your money must be circumcised. So shall my covenant be in your flesh an everlasting covenant.


Reflection
Some pretty moving scenes in this passage. First the Lord appears. God makes a covenant including a promise and an action to be taken. If Abraham and his people obey they will become numerous and be given a land. It's no wonder that land is such a big deal even today.

And the covenant is that every male be circumcised at eight days old. The covenant is in the flesh. God gives flesh and God takes away flesh. Abraham and his descendants will witness God's flesh torn from heaven come and enter this world to save us from our sin. Our covenant with God is formed not only in spirit but in flesh and blood. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, you graciously meet us in terms that we can understand. Terms of flesh and blood and pain. We receive a tiny bit of pain compared to the separation you feel in sending Jesus to this world to save us. We are deeply grateful and offer all thanks and praise to you... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen