The Cutting Edge

The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live. Deuteronomy 30:6

Ok, ladies, blush now and get it over with. Men, cringe now and get it over with. This post is mostly about the male s*x organ. Yes, you have reached my blog, and you didn't get re-directed to some random place. No, it's not health class either. Today I will share a bit about the Jewish rite of circumcision.

Growing up with a Jewish background is really a blessing for me. As I learn more and more about our great faith, it is easy for me to grasp some of the significance of the rituals done in the old testament. Although I have not experienced a Bri Milah myself, it is talked about often in the Jewish faith. Bri literally means covenent; it is the very first covenant between Abraham and God. If we look at Genesis 17:10-14, we will see where God commanded Abraham to circumcise himself, his "seeds", and those of his household not of his seed, but purchased (servants). The circumcision is a sign of the Jewish people's consecration to God.

What is circumcision? It is the practice of cutting away the foreskin of the penis. The Torah calls it the "orlah". The commandment is written that on the eighth day, a male child is to be circumcised. It is the only drawing of blood that is allowed on the Sabbath. As with all commandments, it can only be postponed because of health reasons. There is really no reason given for why it is to be the eighth day, but modern medicine has found that babies clotting abilities stabilize on the 8th day after birth. Amazing!

There are many reasons to consider circumcision for a man. Research at Johns Hopkins Medical School in Baltimore have shown that circumcised men are six to eight times less likely to become infected with HIV, the virus that causes Aids. Researchers believe that protection is due to the removal of the foreskin, which contains cells that have HIV receptors which scientists suspect are the primary entry point for the HIV virus. (Reuters, March 25, 2004)

Other studies have reported that infants get less urinary tract infections, bacterial and fungal infections, and other infections related to hygiene. Also, there is an extremely low rate of cervical cancer in Jewish women which is thought to be related to the practice of circumcision. So the bottom line is this: It is thought to be healthier for the man, and his partner if he is circumcised. I think God knows what He is doing here! It is also healthier for us if our hearts are circumcised in the same way.

"It is a foundation of Judaism that we are to control our animal desires and direct them into spiritual pursuits. Nowhere does a person have more potential for expressing "barbaric" behavior than in the s*x drive. That's why the Bris is done on this specific organ. If we bring holiness into our life there, then all other areas will follow" http://www.britpro.com/default.asp?p=article2

Although I don't necessarily agree with everything in the statement above, if we look at this from the perspective of circumcising the heart....it is most true. If God brings holiness into our life in our hearts, all other areas will follow. We have a foreskin around our hearts, that only God can remove. It is a tough outer skin, that only harbors bacteria, lets bad things in, and is all around unhealthy for us. Our foreskin is made of sin. It is made of flesh. Acts 7:51 says that our uncircumcised hearts make us resist the Holy Spirit. It keeps the bad things in, and the good things out. Romans 2:28 tells us that circumcision is not merely outward and physical. Colossians 2:11 tells us that being circumcised means that we put off the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men, but with the circumcision done by Christ.

When an infant is circumcised, he has no choice. In the Jewish faith, it is a ritual done with much fanfare. The Godfather holds the baby, an ornate chair is set our for Elijah, the child is given a formal Hebrew name, holy prayers are recited, and there is a festive meal prepared and enjoyed by all. It is a celebration of covenant between God, and man.

When a Christian has a circumcised heart, it is a choice they have made. They have yielded to God. The Holy Spirit has begun to cut away the tough outer skin. They have made themselves vulnerable to God, and in turn to their fellow man. A circumcised heart will look different. It will begin to reflect what is in the heart of God. Our hearts will no longer be filled with only evil, all the time (Genesis 6:5-6, 8:21). Our hearts will begin to be infused with what is in God's heart--compassion, mercy, lovingkindness, righteous anger, love, and much, much, more.

Today, you have a choice. Leave the tough, outer skin of protection that harbors sickness, unforgiveness, pain, and sin; or choose to yield it all to the one who longs to ransom your heart. The one who wants to start peeling all of that away from your life, and give you new life in Him. Beloved, it is up to you. I'm not going to say that it won't be painful, because it will. There will be no circumcision without pain and trial. God has said that He will test us to see what is in our hearts. He has also given us a promise to never leave us or forsake us. His loving arms will be held out to you the entire time. Will you run to Him? Will you let Him begin to cleanse you? May the Lord bless you, and keep you. In Jesus precious and mighty name. Amen.