The importance attached to this rite under the Jewish dispensation clearly shews, that it was not a mere arbitrary imposition, but an ordinance fraught with instruction. It was imposed on Abraham and all his posterity,
1 . As a seal of their privileges —
[Abraham had from the first believed the promises which God had given him relative to a numerous posterity, and to " that seed in particular, in whom all the nations of the earth were to be blessed : " and, in consequence of that faith, he was justified before God ; or, to use the expressive language of Scripture, " his faith was counted to him for righteousness." But when five and twenty years had elapsed, and it was more distinctly made known to him that the promised seed was to spring from Sarah, he had some pledges given him that God's word, however improbable, should be fulfilled. His name was changed from Abram, which means high father ; to Abraham, the high father of a multitude. His wife's name also was changed, from Sarai, my princess, to Sarah, the princess of a multitude*. Now also circumcision was enjoined on him and all his posterity : and St. Paul expressly says, that it was " a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had being yet uncircumcisedV To Abraham and his believing seed, this seal assured the certain enjoyment of " God as their God" and Portion for ever c : but as administered to infants, it assured only that they should participate all the blessings of God's cove- nant, as soon as ever they exercised the faith of Abraham, and " walked in his steps d." But towards all, it had the same force as a seal has when annexed to a covenant : it was God's seal impressed on their flesh e, that he would fulfil to them all the promises which he had given.]
2. A memorial of their engagements —
[In the verse following our text, God calls circumcision " a token of the covenant between him and his people." It was designed by God that his people should be separated from all the world, and that they should be constantly reminded of their engagements to him. When they submitted to that rite, whether it were in infancy or at an adult age, they were no longer to consider themselves as at their own disposal, but as dedicated to the service of their God. St. Paul, in reference to the scars and bruises with which his body had been covered in the service of his Lord, said, " I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus f." The same language might with propriety
a ver. v. 15. b Rom. iv. 11. c ver. 7, 8.
(1 Rom. iv. 12. e See ver. 13, latter part. f Gal. vi. 17.