Breaking The Jewish Code Perry Stone

covenant was circumcision, which involved removing the foreskin from the male child. The practice of circumcision was known in Abraham’s day among the Egyptians and other Semitic groups. However, the Almighty’s sign was different for two reasons. The ancient Semites would often cut a mark in the male foreskin, but God said the foreskin must be completely removed. Secondly, performing circumcision must be done on the eighth day after a son’s birth: This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male child among you shall be circumcised; and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you. He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised, every male child in your generations, he who is born in your house or bought with money from any foreigner who is not your descendant. —Genesis 17:10–12 Why did God wait for twenty-four years until revealing the sign of the covenant to Abraham? I believe it was because of Ishmael. After Abraham failed for eleven years to have a child through Sarah, Sarah finally suggested that Abraham impregnate Hagar, her Egyptian handmaid. Hagar conceived and bore Abraham a son named Ishmael, meaning, “God has listened.” Abraham was eighty-six when Ishmael was born (Gen. 16:16). At age ninety-nine, God revealed that circumcision was the sign of the covenant (Gen. 17:10–12).