Week 9 - Friday

Abraham, the Father of All Believers

Is this blessing then upon the circumcised, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say, “Faith was reckoned to Abraham as righteousness.” How then was it reckoned? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised; and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be reckoned to them, and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which he had while uncircumcised. (Romans 4:9-12)

In chapter 4 of Romans, Paul uses Abraham (the Jews most important forefather) and David (their greatest king) as examples to prove to the Jews that justification is not by works but by faith. Even though Abraham and David were men who obeyed God, both of them experienced times when they failed miserably. Like all men, they were sinners. The only reason they were saved from God's judgment is because God mercifully forgave their sins. In verses 7-8, Paul (quoting David's words from Psalm 32) says that those whose sins are forgiven are blessed. The word blessed means happy, fortunate or well off. A person whose sins are forgiven is blessed because they know that when this life is over, they will not be condemned. Instead they are going to heaven to be with God forever. In verse 9, Paul asks a question. Is this blessing then upon the circumcised, or upon the uncircumcised also? Paul presents this question because he knew the Jews would object to justification being available to both Jews and Gentiles on the same terms. The Jews were very prejudiced against Gentiles (non-Jews). They preferred to believe that salvation was not even available to them. Because of this Paul knew what they would be thinking. The Jews would want to know why God commanded Abraham to be circumcised if circumcision wasn't neccesary. If anyone, especially uncircumcised (Gentiles), could be justified by faith alone, why did God require it of Abraham? Paul's answers this objection by stating that Abraham was declared righteous by God before he was circumcised, not after. In fact it happened at least 13 years before he was circumcised. Abraham did not have any children yet when he was declared righteous by God. By the time his first child Ishmael was born, Abraham was 86 years old. It wasn't until he was 99 years old that God commanded Abraham to be circumcised. Abraham's circumcision had nothing to do with his being declared righteous by God.

Why then did God command Abraham to be circumcised? God intended circumcision to be a sign that identified Abraham and the rest of the Jews as God’s chosen people. He never meant it to be used as proof that Abraham, or anyone else, was saved. As Christians we also have a ceremony that is meant to identify us as God's people. That ceremony is baptism. There are many people today who believe they are saved because they were baptized. Just like the Jews though, they are relying on a human work for their salvation. However baptism has no more power to save anyone than circumcision does. It means nothing unless a person has put their faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. God declared Abraham righteous, long before he was circumcised, so there would be no doubt that he was justified by faith and not by his circumcision. Abraham is the supreme example of salvation by faith alone, not just for Jews but for Gentiles also. God called Abraham out of the idol worshiping city of Ur. God told him to travel to Caanan because God was going to make his descendents into a great nation there. That nation would later be known as the nation of Israel. Abraham became the first Jew. Because they are all physically descended from him, Abraham is the father of all Jews. He is not just their father though. Because of his faith in God, Abraham is also the spiritual father of all who believe. What a great example he is for everyone to follow. May it be said of us, as it was of him, that we believed in the Lord.

Readings for today: Gen. 15:2-6; Gen. 16:16; Gen. 17:24-25; Gal. 3:7-9; Gal. 3:29