In Genesis chapter 17, Abram and Sarai are brought to higher levels of growth and maturity and God changes their names to Abraham and Sarah as He continually changes them into who He intends them to be. God reiterates the eternal aspect of the covenant and requires circumcision as a sign and seal of the covenant. Noah got a rainbow, Abraham gets circumcision. It shows the MUCH higher level of importance, intimacy, and permanence of the covenant. Just like the sign and seal required is eternal and intimate, this covenant is also eternal and intimate. When Jesus died on the cross for us, it changed a wee bit into a heart circumcision. Our hearts changing for God is the sign and seal of the covenant as we chase after God with all our hearts, souls and minds.
