Philippians 3

As I was reading Paul’s writing in Philippians 3, a pencil notation I had made in a bible I had used for study many years ago caught my eye.

In verses 2 and 3 of that chapter, Paul is talking about the true circumcision, which he contends has nothing to do with the cutting of the body.  My notation was Jeremiah 6:10, to which I turned and read: “Who would listen to me if I spoke to them and warned them.  The are stubborn and have (literally)  uncircumcised ears.”

“Uncircumcised ears,”   what a poetic, eloquent image!  Not an oxymoron,  but a condition.

Circumcision permanently marks that body as that person’s belonging to the people of God and being in a covenantal relationship with God.  So “uncircumcised ears’ must refer to the person who is unable to hear God, or hearing, does not pay attention to what is heard,  because he/she is separated from God’s people and evidently from the covenantal God?

So I am forced to do a self-examination!  Have I uncircumcised ears, uncircumcised eyes, an uncircumcised mind, an uncircumcised will, ... an uncircumcised tongue . . . an uncircumcised imagination?

Lord, I do belong to you, but what is there of me that has not yet been brought completely into the relationship with you that you desire?

Dear Jesus:   HELP!