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In more than three decades of my Christian life, I have been blest by 2 types of Daily devos'
(matter not exceeding 500 words) in universal Christian literature. Not only those Devos'
which have a different theme everyday but also the ones which revolve around a certain
theme over a period of time, say a fortnight, have richly edified me. In fact, both
styles have their own inherent advantages. If the former style caters to the varying
spiritual needs of a christian from day-to-day, the latter aims 'to ground'
a child of God in a certain subject in order he derives the full benefits of the
deep insightful study of a certain topic, spread over a fixed span of time.
In my Daily devo page, I have consciously tried to go in for 'a blend of both the
styles' whereby within a constant theme, I would be aiming to focus on different
facets of it which admittedly is a closer imitation of the 'Constant theme' style
than the 'Varying topics' one.
Having dwelt on the topic of Christian journey in the previous month, now in the month
of Febraury, I intend to focus on a monumental piece of Jewish history….the
Conquest of Canaan, with its particular relevance to modern day breed of
Christian spiritual warriors.
Once again, let me wish you a happy and an edifying read…
Suresh Manoharan
February 15th
Renewal of Promise
At that time the LORD said to Joshua, "Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites again."
So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the Israelites at Gibeath Haaraloth -
Joshua 5:2-3
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If anything Circumcision under the Old dispensation meant a sign of an oath taken to abide by the
God-given commands.
The instruction to Joshua as the above-captioned scripture portion bears out did not require him to
repeat the operation on those who had undergone it, but to resume the observance of the rite,
which had been long discontinued. The language, however, evidently points to a general circumcising
on some previous occasion, which, though unrecorded, must have been made before the celebration
of the Passover at Sinai (compare Ex 12:48;
Nu 9:5), as a mixed multitude accompanied the camp.
"The second time" of general circumcising was at the entrance into Canaan.
The omission to circumcise the children born in the wilderness might have been owing to the incessant
movements of the people; but it is most generally thought that the true cause was a temporary
suspension of the covenant with the unbelieving race who, being rejected of the Lord,
were doomed to perish in the wilderness, and whose children had to bear the iniquity of their fathers
(Nu 14:33), though, as the latter were to be brought into the promised land, the covenant would be
renewed with them.
As the number of those born in the wilderness and uncircumcised must have been immense, a difficulty is
apt to be felt how the rite could have been performed on such a multitude in so short a time.
But it has been calculated that the proportion between those already circumcised (under twenty when
the doom was pronounced) and those to be circumcised, was one to four, and consequently the whole
ceremony could easily have been performed in a day. Circumcision being the sign and seal of the covenant,
its performance was virtually an investment in the promised land, and its being delayed till their
actual entrance into the country was a wise and gracious act on the part of God, who postponed this
trying duty till the hearts of the people, animated by the recent astonishing miracle, were prepared
to obey the Divine will.
The taunts industriously cast by that people upon Israel as nationally rejected by God by the cessation
of circumcision and the renewal of that rite was a practical announcement of the restoration of the covenant.
While as Christians, we may not be required to undergo this ritual
(Gal 6:15-18) of circumcision,
what however is paramount is to take inventory of our spiritual lives from time to time.
Are we retaining the ‘first love’, we had for our Saviour, when we were first led into the
salvation experience? If not, it is time to rededicate ourselves to love Him intensely,
who gave His all for us!
Prayer:
Father, instill in us that desire to have a honest reality check periodically in our spiritual lives,
in order we maintain that close, intimate walk with thee. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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