The physician Luke wrote how, “Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people”, and after being interrogated by the people in the synagogue, “all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel. Then said the high priest, Are these things so?”, and Stephen began to defend his faith by referring to how God addressed Abraham, and “spoke on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years. And the nation to whom they shall be in bondage will I judge, said God: and after that shall they come forth, and serve me in this place”, and in chapter seven and verse eight of the book of Acts Luke shared how Stephen continued his speech by referring to how God, “gave him the covenant of circumcision” where we read:
And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs.
The verse begins, “And he gave him the covenant of circumcision:” Luke began with the words, “and he gave him” which means “and God granted, bestowed, furnished and supplied Abraham with” “the covenant of circumcision” or “the disposition, arrangement, compact and testament pertaining to the cutting away of the flesh to the extinction of passions and the removal of spiritual impurity”. Luke shared how “Stephen” relayed how God provided Abraham with the “testament of circumcision” which involved cutting off the foreskin physically and symbolized the cutting away of the flesh nature.
The verse continues, “and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs.” Luke added the words, “and so Abraham” which means “and therefore, wherefore, consequently and on this account” “begat Isaac” or “fathered and engendered Isaac whose name means laughter”, “and circumcised him the eighth day” which means “and cut away the foreskin of Isaac on the eighth day after his birth”; “and Isaac” which refers to “Abraham's son Isaac whose name means laughter” “begat Jacob” or “fathered or engendered Jacob whose name means heel catcher or supplanter”; “and Jacob” which means “and Jacob whose name means heel catcher or supplanter” “begat the twelve patriarchs” or “fathered or engendered the twelve founders and progenitors of the tribes of Israel”. Luke shared how “Stephen” continued to share the beginning of the lineage from Abraham and the rite of circumcision that he and his family were to follow.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how God separated the people of Israel from all the other nations of the world. The “covenant of circumcision” was given to “Israel” exclusively, and the cutting away of the foreskin was to be symbolic of God's desire to have a people for Himself. These people were to be separated from the world, and because God's plan was to save all people from their sins, He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for their sins. Those who believe and trust in Him as their “Savior and Lord” will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with God. Let all who read these words study the lineage of Jesus and yield themselves to Him completely.
Next time Luke shares how Stephen continues his speech by referring to how “the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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