God’s Ancient Word Is Wise

But be sure you do not eat the blood, because the blood is the life, and you must not eat the life with the meat. – Deuteronomy 12:23.

Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever—no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord. – Philemon 15-16.

Circumcision of newborns was considered routine in American hospitals until 1971. The American Academy of pediatrics then decided to discontinue the practice except for religious reasons. Years later, however, after surveys at several hospitals, it was discovered that uncircumcised boys were ten times more likely to suffer from urinary tract and kidney infections than circumcised boys.

Dr. Thomas Wiswell, of Walter Reed Hospital, who had previously opposed the practice, changed his mind after studying statistics that showed unmistakable proof that circumcision provides a high degree of protection against penile cancer. Only .02 percent of 50,000 cases of such cancer had been circumcised. Other studies from the past few years show that women whose sexual partners have been circumcised have a lower incidence of cervical cancer and lower rates of acute and chronic infections.

In circumcision we see the wisdom of God’s ancient word. Required as a religious practice, it simultaneously offered hidden health advantages! So many Bible teachings have that effect. For example, Jesus’ teaching on self-denial. Some have criticized Jesus for depriving us of our sense of self. However, as Christians have discovered, daily self-denial both begets maturation in discipleship and sharpens our awareness of self, bringing unity to our diversity. Only an infinitely wise God could provide such instructions long before science and psychiatry discovered them. Jesus promised a fullness of life now because the Word that brings God’s kingdom to earth also improves human life on earth.

Courtesy of Speaker’s Sourcebook of New Illustrations by Virgil Hurley © 1995 by Word, Incorporated.
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV © 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®
Used by permission. All rights reserved.