Two California towns are banning circumcision at their hospitals. This is going against true medical science but it is also showing a hatred against the Bible's putting forth of circumcision for infants.
It is a known fact that cancer of the penis has a much higher incidence in uncircumcised males. This is thought to be due primarily to the accumulation of smegma, a paste of bacteria and dead cells trapped under the foreskin. In some countries penis cancer is 70% higher in males who have not been circumcised. The American Academy of Pediatrics in 1975 stated that circumcision is an effective method of preventing cancer. Some pediatricians today feel that good hygiene under the foreskin can result in the same low cancer rate as the circumcised but the practice is still advised because of poor hygiene with most men.
God instructed circumcision to take place on the eighth day. Why the eighth day? The ancients did not know it but that is the day when vitamin K is at the peak in the infant male after birth. Vitamin K is a blood-clotting factor which is called prothrombin. This assures the infant will not bleed excessively after the procedure. To show that the Bible is in line with medical science many doctors administer vitamin K (Aqua Mephyton) which helps clotting. Since 1953 all medical textbooks have recommended circumcision or administering vitamin K for the new infant.
In the OT what was used for performing circumcision that made it safe? A flint knife was used because, when it was broken off, the inside of the flint was "pure" because it had not been exposed to the outside elements. This was perfect for cutting and not passing on germs.
While many peoples of the Middle East performed circumcision, it was the Jews who got the practice down to a fine science, sparing their males from disease that caused others to be infected.
Thus, God is the Ultimate Healer and the Ultimate Preventer. He knows what He is doing! (Bib Sac, July 1990) -- Dr. Mal Couch (7/11)
