TRUE B’RIT
In Lev. 12:3, we read, “ On the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.” The ceremony of circumcision, also called the B'rit, continues to this day. A mohel is the individual who is authorized to perform a circumcision. A mohel might be a Rabbi, cantor, doctor or layperson, but they will be trained in this procedure. My husband and I have a friend who is a radiologist but also is trained to be a mohel. Sedation is not allowed. Sometimes after the procedure, the baby might be given a few drops of wine. Although a scalpel might be used, the above photograph is one approved “tool” for this procedure.
The Hebrew word, B'rit, means covenant. The covenant of circumcision (B’rit Milah בְּרִית מִילָה ) is described in Genesis 17:10-12:
This is My covenant, which you shall keep, between Me and you and your
descendants after you: every male among you shall be circumcised. And
you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall be the
sign of the covenant between Me and you.
And every male among you who is eight days old shall be circumcised
throughout your generations, a {servant} who is born in the house or
who is bought with money from any foreigner, who is not of your
descendants.
Beginning in Genesis 17, God made a covenant with Abraham and his descendants. It was a God-made covenant and not a man-made covenant. This rite is still practiced today. God invoked penalty if this procedure was not carried out. God required circumcision of the secret part of the body. The circumcision is made in the flesh. God desires that all secret parts of our lives, including our hearts, be circumcised.
True circumcision is of the heart. God has made a covenant with us, one that is eternal, an eternal covenant for those of us who are the true circumcision. God uses specific tools for this true circumcision. He knows exactly what tools will perfect. At times, God might use the anvil of affliction. The anvil of affliction is painful but every blow, every correction is made in love.
In this covenant of circumcision, the baby has no choice in being circumcised. We have no choice when God chooses to chasten us, to “cut” into our lives and remove the “flesh” of our inner being.
True circumcision was made by the Blood of God’s son, Yeshua Jesus. As an infant, Yeshua Jesus' blood was shed at eight days after His birth, to enter into covenant with God the Father; His blood was shed at death to bring us into covenant with God the Father.
Our circumcision is one that is made without hands (Col. 2:11); it is made by the power of the Spirit. Ceremonial law never keeps us in right-standing with God. Only by accepting the vicarious Blood atonement of Yeshua are we able to be in right standing with God. There is absolutely nothing I can do to
gain right-standing with God. I can't make any resolutions or promises that can be any better than the Blood covenant God gave to us through the death of His son.
Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Yeshua Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. Hebrews 10:19-25
After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.
1 Peter 5:10