Deuteronomy 10:16 says, Therefore, circumcise your hearts and don’t be stiff-necked any longer. What exactly does it mean to circumcise our hearts? Now, I don’t want to get too graphic here but, then again, I’m not sure I need to.
We all pretty much know what happens in a circumcision. The result is that the most vulnerable and sensitive part of a man is exposed. And what we have here in Deuteronomy 10:16 is the ultimate in metaphors. (By the way, it’s not just this verse. Do a Google search on circumcision of the heart and you might be surprised how many times this is mentioned in the Bible, both Old and New Testaments.)
Think for just a moment what circumcising our hearts must mean. Slicing away the protective covering and exposing our most sensitive, vulnerable, and secret selves to God. And let’s face it, in most cases, our first response is to get about as excited about that as a grown man would about circumcision.
It’s scary. What if He wants to change me? (He does.) What if I lose part of myself that is important to me? (You will.) What if I fail by committing to submit myself to Him and then take it back? (You’ll do that too…every day.)
Help Me to be Teachable, Lord
But His love is patient and kind. The truth He teaches you will be for your good and His glory. Fast forward in our reading to Deuteronomy 30:6: And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.
Or how about the New Testament (after Jesus) in Acts 7:51? As the final accusation hurled at the Jews before his stoning, Stephen said: You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you.
Let us not resist the Holy Spirit and His teachings. Let us be open and moldable and changeable and teachable, not stiff-necked and stubborn. What do you think? Let me know at Lifting Her Voice.com, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
I just joined the podcast today, better late than never. I have missed that time so much! How blessed am I – to once again get to hear my sister read the word “out loud* to me.. .as she has for over 60 yrs.
I am so grateful.
Job well done.
Oh, Kay! How kind of you to take the time to comment on the website. Thank you so much! I don’t get very many comments and you can’t imagine how thrilled I was to see yours. I hope His word blesses you as you give Him your time and attention. I love you.