Preamble
“God’s judgement on
those who do not walk the talk” (i.e upon both Jew and Gentile V9-16)
1.
The
Essence of what it means to be a Jew (V1-24)
a)
Privileges and responsibilities
(i) God’s chosen people (vs 17 – 20)
(ii) Recipients and hence Custodians of God’s laws (The
Torah) (vs 17, 18)
(iii) A special relationship with God (vs 17)
(iv) To demonstrate God’s character to the world by living
out the law
(i.e. to walk the talk) (vs 17 – 20)
b)
Failure of the Jew to carry out the
responsibility (V21-24)
(i) Failure to be a guide to those who are in darkness (vs
19)
(ii) Failure to correct those who are ignorant (vs 20)
(iii) The Moral Laws reflect the character and will of God
(vs 21 – 24)
2.
The
Significance of Circumcision (vs 25- 29)
(a)
under
the old covenant
Sign and seal of God’s covenant with Abraham
Genesis 17:19
Genesis 21:4
God’s chop of authenticity – a sign of recognition resulting
in the birth of a nation
(Genesis 14:13)
(b)
Circumcision
in its spiritual application
(i) Circumcision of the lips (Exodus 6: 12)
(ii) Circumcision of the ear (Jeremiah 6:10)
(iii) Circumcision of the heart (Jeremiah 4:4, Jeremiah 9:
25,26)
* The Glorious
Prophetic Promise
“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.“ Deut 30:6
(c)
God makes no distinction between Jew and
Gentile (vs 26 – 29)
“He is a Jew (i.e. with all the privileges and blessings of
Covenant) who is one inwardly and real circumcision is a matter of the heart,
spiritual and not literal (physical) ” (vs 29)
“Walk the talk”, walk the thought
James 2: 23.24
“Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as
righteousness; and he was called the friend (philos) of God. You see that
a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.”
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