Circumcision was commanded of Abraham after his decision to try and fufill God’s plans his way by conceiving a son with his slave Hagar (Genesis 16). It was a mark to remind him of his folly
Circumcision of the heart
A change in the law
Hebrews continues to emphasise the need for a finer priest if we are to know God. God’s law, and the priests appointed under it, were a blessing to Israel. But they were weak, unable to save people
Help from others
Melchizedek was the priest-king of Salem (later Jerusalem) when Abraham was wandering the land.
A puzzling man
Melchizedek was the priest-king of Salem (later Jerusalem) when Abraham was wandering the land.
Anchored
Abraham started life not knowing God. But in his later years, God called this elderly, childless man to move to Canaan where he would be blessed with family and home. Yet having given Abraham a son – Isaac – God then demanded him back via sacrifice
Two tests of faith
To illustrate his point about the relationship between faith and works, James calls to mind two characters from the Old Testament: Abraham and Rahab.