Leviticus 12:1-13:46
Dear RTB’ers,
With today’s first question I was immediately drawn to Paul’s epistle to the Romans: Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God … What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. (Romans 3:1-2, 9) Paul goes on with a discussion of Jews and Gentiles. His main point: …for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God… (Romans 3:23) Being born a Jew and being circumcised back then, they were immediately part of a covenant community, expected to take their part in that community as they grew older. Those traditions remain today for orthodox Jews.
As for the second part of the first question, the STS references point to “circumcision of the heart”. Here is Deuteronomy 30:6, And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live. The key phrase is “…so that you will love the LORD your God…” The same applies to all of us today. Worth noting, Paul also writes on this item: But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter… (Romans 2:29a) And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart…
Blessings!