Romans 4:11 – GOD’s oath & the circumcision 

And he obtained the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which was in uncircumcision for him to be the father of all those who are believing through uncircumcision, for righteousness to be reckoned to them.

Circumcision is both a seal and a sign, and in both cases it refers to the faith of Abraham. But what was so spectacular about Abraham’s faith? What did he achieve then? Nothing, he believed, or literally: he merely affirmed what GOD promised. In the faith of Abraham, we should not look to Abraham but to the GOD who promised. The power of Abraham’s faith lies purely in the word of promise that came to him. Without ifs and buts. So not on the condition that he would believe. Abraham believed an unconditional promise and therefore he was a righteous one before GOD. Thát is trusting GOD.

The sign of the circumcision refers to Who and also what Abraham believed. His seed would be as innumerable as the stars of heaven (Gen.15: 5). GOD swore it, and so the fruit of the oak, as the emblem of GOD’S oath (same word in Hebrew!), Had to be uncovered. It speaks of resurrection life and fertility!

Delen: