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Observe here, 1. The circumcision of the child at eight days old, according to the commandment, Gen_17:12.
Where note, first, the act, circumcising.
Secondly, the time, at eight days old.
God commanded every male child to be circumcised; because the males by the foreskin, propagate sin, and convey original impurity.
By this ordinance, God gave his people to understand the exceeding filthiness of sin, and that man brings something into the world with him, which ought presently to be cut off.
Note also, the time of circumcising the child, at eight days old; not before, lest the child should be too weak to bear the pain; and it must not be deferred longer, lest God interpret the delay to be a contempt of the ordinance.
Hence by the way we may learn, that God did not tie salvation to the outward sacrament; for if the child had perished that died uncircumcised, it had been a hard thing to defer circumcision eight hours. 'Tis not the want, but the contempt and neglect, of the sacrament that damns. "It came to pass on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child." We find in scripture, the ordinance appointed, and the time limited, but neither the persons nor the place declared: Moses's wife "circumcised the child, and that in an inn," Exo_4:25.
A duty is sometimes positively enjoined in the scriptures, when the circumstances belonging to the duty are undetermined. Thus the sacrament of the Lord's supper is appointed by Christ; but the time, the place, the gesture, are not positively commanded, but to be prudentially determined.
Observe, 2. The name is given, or at least declared, at the time of the child's circumcising, and that by his parents; "His mother said, he shall be called John."
But how did his mother know that, when her husband was dumb?
Ans. 'Tis likely her husband Zachary had, by a writing, informed his wife concerning the whole vision, and what name was imposed upon him by the angel; therefore she says, "He shall be called John," and Zachary ratifies it, " His name is John." The nomination was originally from the angel, the imposition of the name is now at circumcision from the parents.
Observe, 3. How ancient a custom it has been to give names to children, according to the names of their fathers or kindred: "There is none of thy kindred of this name," say they: the Jews made it a part of religion, to give suitable names to their children, and significant names.
Accordingly they either gave them names to put them in remembrance of God's mercy to them, or of their duty to him. Thus Zachary signifies the remembrance of God; which name points at God's mercy in remembering him, and his duty in remembering God.
Well then, it is usual and useful for parents to give significant names to their children: then let the children have an holy ambition to make good the signification of their names. Thus John signifies the grace of God; but how will that gracious name be raised up in judgment against that child that is graceless!
Observe, 4. How Zacharias's speech is immediately restored to him upon the naming of his child. The angel, Luk_1:20, told him, "he should be dumb till the things he had told him should be performed;" and now that they were performed, his tongue is loosed, and he praised God in a most thankful manner.
Observe, 5. The effect which all this had upon the neighbourhood; "Fear came upon all them that dwelt round about them;" that is, an awful and religious fear of God, occasioned by these miraculous operations; and they laid up these sayings in their hearts; that is, considered of them,. and pondered upon them. It argues a very vain spirit and temper of mind, when we pass over the observation of God's wonderful acts with a slight regard. The true reason why we do so little admire the wonderful works of God, is, because we consider so little of them.
Observe, 6. The special favour vouchsafed by God to this child John: "The hand of the Lord was with him;" that is, God was in a special manner present with him, to direct and assist him, to protect and prosper him. The hand of God, in scripture, signifies the help of God, the strength and assistance of God. The hand of man is a weak and impotent hand, a short and ineffectual hand: but the hand of God is a strong hand, an almighty hand, able to assist and help, able to protect and preserve: "The hand of the Lord was with him;" that is, the heart of God and the help of God, the love and favour of God to support him, the power and providence of God to protect and preserve him. Lord, let our hearts be with thee, and then thy heart and thy helping hand will be with us.