When he had finished talking with him, God went up from Abraham. Then Abraham took Ishmael his son and all those born in his house or bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham’s house, and he circumcised the flesh of their foreskins that very day, as God had said to him. Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. That very day Abraham and his son Ishmael were circumcised. And all the men of his house, those born in the house and those bought with money from a foreigner, were circumcised with him.
Comment: I wonder what the reaction was when Abraham got all the males of his household together and announced the day’s proceedings! I have some experience in Africa of this being done by inexperienced hands, and it doesn’t always go well! Whatever the pros and cons and the details of how it was done nevertheless Abraham obeyed God. I know that many argue strongly against it as a procedure but if you look on the internet (or an honest medical journal) there are many advantages. But the big, big lesson to be found here is the one of obedience. Paul in the NT argues strongly against gentiles having to be circumcised to be accepted by God. He was/is absolutely correct if it is being done to try and get right with God. It is not a part of God’s offer of salvation through Jesus. There are, however, good reasons for it to be considered as an alternative.
Prayer: Help me to do things for the right reasons as it affects so many choices in life.
As I read it! 