Genesis 17:11 – The Covenant

Genesis 17:11 You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you.

The covenant was always meant to be personal. Though the event might be celebrated publicly, no one sees whether you are circumcised or not in your daily life. It’s between you and God. And no one can be circumcised for you. The same is true with our salvation. Though it may be celebrated publicly by many, no one knows where another person’s heart stands with God. And no one can be saved for another person. We will each stand before our Creator one day.

The covenant was always meant to be intimate. Circumcision touches a man at his most sensitive, most tender, most vulnerable location. In the same way, we are to be the most vulnerable, the most genuine, the most “naked and unashamed” with our God. Anything less that transparency just won’t do. Our God wants there to be nothing between us.

The covenant was always meant to be permanent. You can’t become uncircumcised once you’ve been circumcised. Salvation isn’t just a change of mind, it is a changed nature. You have been made new and can’t be made un-new. And it was the man’s responsibility to bear the sign and seal of this covenant. Men have the responsibility to lead by example. Men, we have dropped the ball on this one!