UNCIRCUMCISED LIPS, HEARTS,and EARS --Monday
" . . . if then their uncircumcised HEARTS be humbled . . . Behold, I am of uncircumcised LIPS . . . Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and EARS . . . (Lev 26:41 Ex 6:30; Acts 7:51)
UNCIRCUMCISED LIPS. When Moses was called to deliver Israel from Egyptian bondage, he responded in remarkable words. "Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who am of uncircumcised lips?" (Ex 6:12,30). What did Moses mean to convey by the words "uncircumcised lips?" Contrary to much opinion, Moses was not an incapable speaker. Stephen said of him, "And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds" (Acts 7:22). When God called Moses, however, he had been in the back side of the desert for forty years, far removed from any need for mighty words. It was as though a growth of inability had infected his lips. He was no longer noted for mighty words. His lips were "uncircumcised," encumbered, as it were, and overgrown. Earlier, in the presence of the God, Moses described his condition. "And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since Thou hast spoken unto Thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue" (Ex 4:10). This did not mean Moses was NEVER able to speak, but that since his exile he was not able to do so in the manner required to lead Israel.
As you read Scripture, it will become evident to you that Moses' lips did not remain "uncircumcised." Even though God appointed him a spokesman in Aaron, Moses become known for what he said. He spoke eloquently before Pharaoh (Ex 8-11). In unparalleled words, he reminded Israel of their mighty deliverance (Ex 13:3ff). So remarkable were his words and counsel when dealing with the Israelites, that God was able to take "some" of his spirit, and place it upon 70 men, who assisted in speaking to the people (Num 11:16-17). His valedictory address in Deuteronomy 9 is one of the most eloquent speeches ever made. His lips had been circumcised!
UNCIRCUMCISED HEARTS. Sin had overgrown the heart of humanity. However, it was difficult to explain this situation. How could people understand what sin had done to them. Circumcision provides a concept to help us. God spoke to Israel about their condition in these words; "Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked" (Deut 10:16). What is "the foreskin of your heart?" It is a term denoting spiritual insensitivity toward God. It describes a dull state, in which the people were impervious to the voice of God. Their receptiveness was toward earth, not heaven. Their concern was elevated when their flesh was inconvenienced, while they remained oblivious to the poverty of their souls. They were not in touch with the need of their unseen part. Their hearts were uncircumcised – covered over and dominated by the things of this world.
UNCIRCUMCISED EARS. Jeremiah develops the concept of spiritual circumcision further. He speaks of "ears" that are not circumcised. "To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of the LORD is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it" (Jer 6:10).
Uncircumcised ears are those that cannot give heed to the Word of God; "they cannot hearken." It is as though a growth had clogged the passage of the ear, forbidding the entrance of God's Word. This resulted in the Word of God becoming obnoxious to them. It was "a reproach," or something they could not tolerate. They could not rejoice in the Word of God, lay hold of its promises, or be sustained by its power. Their ears were not circumcised.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You that in salvation the lips, heart, and ears are circumcised and made sensitive to You.