What follows is a selection from James and Galatians in The Everyday Bible Study series, which is designed for daily Bible readings with my reflections. The studies have proven helpful for lay folks who want to read the Bible better, as well as for Sunday School teachers and preachers and teachers who want some reading for their preparations.
‘Circumcision was the sign of covenant membership (Genesis 17). It was, Genesis tells us, “an everlasting covenant” between God and Israel (17:13). ‘
‘What did not happen tells the story of shifting from the Moses Era into the Christ Era.’
This is what stood out to me. “Everlasting covenant” shifts from Moses Era into the Christ Era. So my thought is are we misinterpreting what God meant with “Everlasting Covenant”? Because it does change which makes it easy to say Genesis 17:13 is wrong. I know God this was only between God and Israel also. Could God mean it as eternity with Jesus and not meant to have every generation be circumcised? Interesting post today! Got me thinking.... Thank you.
Connie, One can read "everlasting" as "Era Covenant," and then restrict the Era for the time until Christ -- as Gal 3:19-26 does, as Hebrews does. Or one could say it is everlasting for Jews who abide in that covenant. Or one could say it is everlasting for that author, but that author did not know the Era could change into "baptism" -- which could mean baptism fulfills circumcision.
‘Circumcision was the sign of covenant membership (Genesis 17). It was, Genesis tells us, “an everlasting covenant” between God and Israel (17:13). ‘
‘What did not happen tells the story of shifting from the Moses Era into the Christ Era.’
This is what stood out to me. “Everlasting covenant” shifts from Moses Era into the Christ Era. So my thought is are we misinterpreting what God meant with “Everlasting Covenant”? Because it does change which makes it easy to say Genesis 17:13 is wrong. I know God this was only between God and Israel also. Could God mean it as eternity with Jesus and not meant to have every generation be circumcised? Interesting post today! Got me thinking.... Thank you.
Connie, One can read "everlasting" as "Era Covenant," and then restrict the Era for the time until Christ -- as Gal 3:19-26 does, as Hebrews does. Or one could say it is everlasting for Jews who abide in that covenant. Or one could say it is everlasting for that author, but that author did not know the Era could change into "baptism" -- which could mean baptism fulfills circumcision.
Ohhhh, that is good! Thank you.