Archives > 2002 Devotionals > 10/24/02
Circumcision
October 24, 2002
“On the journey, when Moses and his family had stopped for the night, the Lord confronted Moses (Moses’ son) and was about to kill him. But Zipporah, his wife, took a flint knife and circumcised her son. She took the foreskin and threw it at Moses’ feet and said, ‘What a blood smeared bridegroom you are to Me’ …and after that the Lord left him alone.” Ex 4:24-26 NLT
“At that time the Lord said to Joshua, ‘Make flint knives for yourself, and circumcise the sons of Israel again the second time. So Joshua made flint knives for himself and circumcised the sons of Israel… for they had not been circumcised on the way. So it was when they finished circumcising all the people, that they stayed in their places in the camp till they were healed. Then the Lord said to Joshua, ‘This day I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.’” Josh 5:1:9
Circumcision. It must happen on the way. It must happen before you can fulfill your role as deliverer, as conqueror, as partaker of the fruit of the land. Did I not insist on circumcision before Moses and his family could approach Pharoah? Did I not insist on it before I allowed the Israelites to go to Jericho? Do not think it will be any different in your day.
And how am I circumcising you, in this day, in the era of circumcised hearts? Oh, I am doing it with a flint knife of the same sharp proportions as the one I used in Moses’ and Joshua’s day. I am doing it with the same quick, slashing motion I have used before. I am causing the same type of searing pain and writhing agony. I am causing you to double over in shock. And to make matters worse, the flint knife is being held in the hand of those you love most. Your spouse, your spiritual father, your children and closest friends. I am putting the knife in their hand and telling them to slice off your foreskin. The foreskin, the covering over your heart.
And what is this foreskin? What makes up the covering over your hearts and limits your effectiveness? It is the last remnant of pride. It is the need to protect yourself, to make yourself look good. Circumcision is the only way to take care of this. Circumcision requires exposure, surrender, vulnerability… submission to the piercing blow.
And I would say, is this not what we saw in Jesus on Calvary? And does he not even now bear the scars to prove it so? You are being pierced for My purposes, for comradeship with Me. For a forever sign that you have submitted your will. For a forever sign that your heart has been made bare. I want circumcised hearts before you approach Pharoah, before you enter the promised land. I want circumcised hearts to partake of the fruit I have prepared for you. And in this day, I will allow piercing but also healing and rest. The Israelites rested in the camp before moving on.
The last vestiges of pride are being cut away. The last vestiges of demanding your own way. The last vestiges of protecting yourself and your reputation. All these things are being cut away. And who is more appropriate to do it than your own nearest of kin? Your own loved ones and friends? Your circumcision is being made sure. Your passage into the promised land guaranteed. Your acceptance into the forward marching army of the King. For indeed there are marching orders stamped on the side of the flint knife and as you are cut you will also be directed forward. Many of the areas now being addressed in this painful process are in fact related to the calling of God on your life. The covering, the flap is coming off but underneath is a fresh new place of ministry. It may seem at this moment that I am intent on killing you but, in truth, I am merely seeking a heart laid bare. You can shorten the process if you will simply stop protesting and submit to the knife. What is it people are saying to you that hurts but you know contains truth? What it is that the Holy Spirit is inwardly prompting you to do? Respond and submit. Repent and turn if need be. Do not think I want you to stay in this place. I am coming to quickly move you along.
I am coming to circumcise your hearts once again. For many have gone through this process before, but they are now watching it, participating in it, with the next generation. Many are as Moses and Joshua, once circumcised themselves but now watching their children be circumcised. The pain in this is even greater but, as Zipporah knew, there is no getting around it. The bridegroom is indeed blood smeared. His body, His followers must be as well. Give Me your children. Don’t hold them back. I have huge plans for them that will be delayed if you do.
I want you to be as Zipporah, knowing that I must have My way. Be pleased to submit in these days. Be please to hold forth your hearts and your loved ones and let all that is necessary be cut away. Fear of the future, unresolved issues from the past, doubts about My goodness regarding that which you hold most dear. Be pleased to give Me your heart. The process will be quick and you will be given time to heal. You will find that healing from these God ordained wounds will not take long and you will soon be eating the fruit of the promised land. You will soon be treading down your enemies and conquering your foes. Take heart. This is all for your good, for your great, great good. I am coming soon as Captain of the Army and indeed you will see Me as never before. Submit, rest, heal. The days of power are almost here. Soon you will find that you have all you need.