On the eighth day after the birth of a boy, he was circumcised according to the covenant that was made by God with Israel in Genesis 17:12-14. This was a simple medical procedure where the foreskin of the penis is removed. This was practiced in early history and is still followed today by many Jewish and non-Jewish people. However most people don't remember why it originated but contend that it is for health purposes. This has been a long standing theory which has some merit. Bacteria is less likely and it is believed that women have less cancer when their husbands have been circumcised. However, this is not a rule of thumb or a criteria for having this procedure done.
The reason God insituted this procedure was to create an act of commitment between the parents and God; It would set His people apart from others, like the church does today. However it had been used before and many continued to do it, after it had become a requirement within Judaism. Today, as Christians our covenant is now our acceptance through baptism and belief in Jesus Christ as our Savior and being obedient to His word.
"And at the end of eight days, when he was circumsied, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb." Luke 2:21 40 days later a firstborn male had to be taken to the temple in Jerusalem to be consecrated before God. "And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. (As it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord") and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord." Luke 1:22-24a Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple to be dedicated!
Simeon, a righteous and devout man who had the Holy Spirit upon him and who revealed to him; "he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ"' was directed by this same Spirit to go to the temple that day and it was there he saw the Lord's Christ. He took him in his arms and praised God and sang a song; "Lord, now let your servant depart in peace according to your word. My eyes have seen thy salvation; which you have prepared in the presence of all people. A light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people." Luke 2:29-33
Mary and Joseph were amazed! Simeon blessed them and said to Mary; "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rise of many in Israel and for a sign to be opposed; a sword will pierce even your own soul. In this way many hearts will be revealed." Luke 2:34-35
Anna, the daughter of Phanuel from the Tribe of Asher lived at the temple. She had married at the age of 33 and was married for seven years. She had no children and when her husband died she had no one and felt empty and alone. Anna new that God promised to care for her because in Psalm 68:6 it says that He would provide for those who were alone and who followed Him. Anna was content to remain in the temple because she had a gift from God; she was a prophetess! The years passed and as she continued to fast and pray, God continued to take care of her. Now, after 44 years in the temple, her reward of personal sacrifice and dedication had come to her. One morning as she was making her rounds she found her dear friend Simeon talking with a young woman and her husband who had brought their child to the temple to sacrifice according to their law. Anna knew immediately who this child was. Her heart began to pound inside her breast and she began to proclaim praises unto God and from that day forward she told everyone about the child that had come and would bring redemption in Jerusalem.
God's gift was beginning to be shared in those days of old and is still being presented as the beginning of the greatest story every told. By Jane Ann Crenshaw 12/22/09
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