Does God say what He means, and does He mean what He says? Do the words: ‘out of the mouth of babes and infants You have ordained strength’ mean more than just dealing with spiritual babes? God commanded ancient Israelites to circumcise their males on the eighth day for a very important reason. Read this article to find out what God has planned for the nation of Israel during the millennium. Here is the importance of being an Israelite. The Israel Identity movement looks to an inheritance for our children far greater than what we have been taught so far!!!
A LOOK AHEAD
Can you imagine a nation where everyone, both young and old, is circumcised of heart? The millennium setting in the Bible portrays a far different youth than we see today: a generation of healthy, intelligent and farsighted youth. They play around the elderly and learn from them. Children are able to walk alongside the lion and the lamb. A setting of peace and harmony between men and beasts. The children teach the kings and queens of other nations, the way of God.
There is a reason for this to take place. It comes from within the heart of man -- a changed heart -- a heart motivated and taught by the Spirit of God.
This is prophetic of a messianic age -- a time when the knowledge of God is spread throughout the nation of Israel -- a time when the Spirit of God is poured out upon all flesh. There is more to the story than this. The nation of Israel is going to be given a ‘new heart’ and will be used by God to teach other nations the way to peace. But, most interesting is the role to be played by the children. Read on and you will have your mind opened to one of the most hopeful messages that you can teach your children -- a message of hope for today’s parents -- a spiritual inheritance for the nation of Israel -- a message tied to circumcision.
WHY CIRCUMCISION?
Abraham, the patriarch of the Hebrew nation, was given a sign of a covenant with God. This sign was circumcision. Every male was to be circumcised on the eighth day. Every male, born, or bought was to be circumcised and a covenant would exist between God and Abraham's descendants.
This covenant had spiritual meaning: ‘Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-necked no longer’ (Deuteronomy 10:16) The intention of God was to foretell a time when He would have a nation of spiritually minded people. They would be the model for other nations to follow. But why circumcise the boys at eight days old? You will read the answer shortly.
BAPTISM FOR A NATION
An individual is baptized and has hands laid upon him to (symbolically) show repentance and to receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). It is significant that the nation of Israel was baptized all at once in the Red Sea. Later, the next generation was baptized, all at the same time, in the Jordan River. No one was required to be baptized in succeeding generations. Why? The nation only had to circumcise their males on the eighth day to remain a part of Israel's inherited covenant. The significance of this is apparent in the millennium setting.
TWO WITNESSES
John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother's womb (Luke 1:15). Christ also had the Holy Spirit from the womb. Notice: ‘And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.’ (Luke 2:40). Both John and Christ were to set the pace for the way things will be in the Kingdom of God.
CHRIST THE EXAMPLE
Take a look at what Christ did and said at the age of 12: ‘Now so it was after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this do us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.” And He said to them, “Why is it that you sought Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?”’ (Luke 2:46-49)
There are several important elements of the account. One, He was teaching the elders of His day, in the temple. Two, He had amazing spiritual insight, well beyond the comprehension of the priests and Levites, who were the leaders. Thirdly, Christ, through the Holy Spirit dwelling in Him, knew of His relationship with His spiritual Father, in Heaven.
A NATION OF TEACHERS, A SPIRITUAL INHERITANCE
In the Millennium, all Israelites, old and young will have the Holy Spirit. They will be given the Holy Spirit from birth, as were John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. This is the reason the knowledge of God will be throughout the land of Israel. None will be without. The generations born to the nation of Israel will grow up with spiritual knowledge and spiritual understanding from the earliest age. The youths will have extraordinary abiltiy to teach those traveling to Palestine from the Gentile nations. They will be like Christ in His youth. Spiritual strength is only there if the Holy Spirit is present. Truly the knowledge of God will come from the mouths of babes, as the scripture says, because they will have the Holy Spirit. Israel will be a spiritual inheritance unto God, as they will be the only nation on earth to be given the Holy Spirit through a national covenant. It will be a right of birth as Israelites. The Gentiles will have to be brough into the knowledge of God from generation to generation, until the millennium is complete. The nation of Israel will be their teachers.
Webpage updated: Tuesday, November 12, 2002
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