CRITICAL NOTES.—
Genesis 17:25. And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised.] From this circumstance has followed the usage of the Arabians, who circumcise their males in the thirteenth year.
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Genesis 17:23-27
OBEDIENCE TO THE DIVINE VOICE
God had ceased speaking, and went up from Abraham (Genesis 17:22). The end of every Divine revelation is not to satisfy curiosity, or even our desire of knowledge for its own sake, but to impart unto us light and strength for our duty. God’s word is intended to teach us how to live. Nothing remained for Abraham but to do what he had heard. He had to turn all his thought and feeling into action. Like St. Paul, he was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision. We have here some characteristics of his obedience.
I. It was prompt. In that self-same day Abraham carried God’s command into execution (Genesis 17:23). He made haste and delayed not. He reasoned not with himself, he did not leisurely survey his duty, but rushed into it at once. When God once commands, so that we are clear as to what our duty really is, we should not hesitate, but immediately obey.
1. To delay is to despise God’s authority. In some cases we have to dispute the commands of our fellow-creatures, because they may be unreasonable or opposed to virtue. But when such commands are lawful, when the authority is properly constituted, it is our duty to obey. To despise it is lawlessness. God’s authority is paramount, and admits of no dispute. To refuse to submit at once to it is rebellion.
2. It is safest to act upon moral impulses immediately. In the affairs of this life, it is wise to act upon the maxim that “second thoughts are best.” They often prove themselves to be a “wiser first.” The prudence of business is deliberation—taking time to consider. The first prospects of schemes which promise us riches or advancement may be dazzling, but how often is the charm dissolved when we have taken time to weigh and consider. But this maxim of worldly prudence does not stand good in the things of religion. In all matters regarding duty and conscience first thoughts are best. On questions concerning the lawfulness of actions, the nature and obligation of duty, our first convictions are sure to be right. If we take time to consider we only give temptation the opportunity to acquire a dangerous strength. The light which comes from conscience is instantaneous, and our highest wisdom is to accept it at once as our guide. St. Paul, in giving an account of his conversion, tells us how he made no pause, but suddenly acted upon his conviction: “When it pleased God … to reveal His Son in me … immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood.” Moral convictions are only weakened by delay to obey them. Our safety lies in turning them at once into duty.
II. It was unquestioning. Abraham did not begin to argue or dispute—to trouble himself with inquiries as to why such a painful rite had been so long delayed in his own case, or why it should be necessary at all. He stayed not to investigate the rational grounds of the command. It is sufficient for faith that God has spoken, and His will is both law and reason. Our position as creatures forbids all questioning. He who made us has the right to command us. He knows the reasons of all His dealings with us, though to us they seem obscure. The servants of God should have the spirit of true soldiers who have devoted their lives to maintain the honour and power of their country. “Their’s not to reason why; their’s but to do and die.”
III. It was complete. God’s word was literally obeyed, and in every particular. Abraham caused the command to be extended to all who were the subjects of it. His son was circumcised and all his servants. He did not exempt himself (Genesis 17:24). Thus obedience should not be partial, nor measured by our own inclinations, but should respect the whole of the commandment. A particular and intense regard to God’s known will is the essence of piety. Thus did Abraham, and thus completely had he followed the Divine injunction given to him at this second stage of the Covenant—“Walk before Me, and be thou perfect” (Genesis 17:1).
SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS ON THE VERSES
Genesis 17:23. That is, ordered it to be done; saw that it was done. As no express directions were given as to the operator, such agents might be employed as the head of the household saw fit. In Exodus 4:25, we see a mother performing it; but in modern times it is usually performed by some experienced person; and it is not only considered a great honour to be a circumciser (mohel), but the occasion is made one of great rejoicing and festivity. The conduct of Abraham on this occasion furnished a bright example to all succeeding ages of the manner in which Divine ordinances should be complied with.—(Bush.)
It is necessary that all the circumstances belonging to positive ordinances should be minutely detailed. Hence the particular description here given.
In selecting Ishmael as the first to receive the token of the Covenant, the rest would be encouraged to follow. They would see that Abraham was in earnest. He began with those nearest and dearest to him. We can only hope to bring others into the ways of obedience when we first set the example ourselves.
Nothing was said as to the time at which Abraham should begin to perform this rite. But he makes haste to obey. Such is always the impulse of a truly devoted and affectionate heart. To delay in keeping His commandments is an evidence of lack of love for God and His law.
The fact that even those who were bought with Abraham’s money submitted to this painful rite, is a proof of the strong influence of his religious character upon them. Not sudden enthusiasm, but a life of piety and obedience can command such influence.
It was a household dedication. The aged patriarch and the youthful son, and all the men-servants, no matter how they came into the household, were thus marked as sharers in the Covenant, and the patriarch’s house was stamped in their very flesh as the Lord’s. Domestic piety is beautiful. The Passover and Circumcision were both of them household seals, and so are Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Everywhere there are the simple elements—a little bread and wine, and a little water—and what doth hinder? (Acts 8:36). And God is faithful. Christ is the Head of His house, as the Covenant Son, in whom we have all blessings. Parental fidelity God covenants to bless (ch. Genesis 18:19). (Jacobus).
Genesis 17:24. This obedience was yielded in old age, when the infirmity of nature is prone to plead off from engaging in anything new or different from that to which it has been accustomed. Yet it seems to be for the purpose of putting honour upon Abraham’s obedience that it is so expressly said, “Ninety and nine years old was Abraham when he was circumcised.” It is one of the temptations of old age to be tenacious of what we have believed and practised from our youth; to shut our eyes and ears to everything that may prove it to have been erroneous or defective, and to find excuses for being exempted from hard and dangerous duties. But Abraham to the last was ready to receive further instruction, and to do as he was commanded, leaving consequences with God.—(Bush.)
Genesis 17:25. He commanded his children and his household after him, that they might keep the way of the Lord (ch. Genesis 18:19). This boy of thirteen years of age, poor Ishmael, might have claimed to judge for himself, if he had been so trained as to be left to himself. This is the age at which a boy became a son of the law, and was regarded as of age to take the Sacrament of the Passover—twelve to thirteen years of age. Jesus went up to the Passover at twelve. Ishmael was now thirteen. Children, when they come to such years of discretion, should be taught their duty in regard to assuming sacramental obligations, and coming forward to the full benefit of the Christian church.—(Jacobus).
Genesis 17:26-27. The head of the household is responsible for the religious training of those committed to his charge—his children, his servants. All should receive the signs of God’s Covenant, and be placed in a position to obtain the blessings appended to it.
It is God’s plan to make good men the centres of light and privilege to others. All who in any way come under their influence are placed at a superior advantage, and may partake with them of the same blessings.