²⁸ For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. ²⁹ But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.

Punchlines by Paul begin to punctuate his prose. He knows that the question is coming, “What is the advantage of being a Jew?” Indeed, God has treated the Jews as a special, set-apart people, and it seems that Paul is undermining that specialness. However, he is not undermining their specialness in God’s eyes, but their sense of superiority in their own eyes. Paul must make one last effort to drill this point home. They have actually gotten it all wrong about the fundamental question, “Who is a Jew?” They had climbed a ladder that was leaning against the wrong building. They were like a pilot who announced that the flight was making good time, only to find out he was flying the plane in the wrong direction.

The Jews put so much emphasis on outward symbolism and rituals that they missed the importance of part about inward conformity to God’s heart. To be sure, God had commanded many symbolic things for them to practice, not the least of which was circumcision. But they had failed to be the kind of people God seeks, to possess the inner qualities that God holds in high regard. We can see this clearly in the man God sought to be His anointed king, whom the people of Israel exalted as the hero of the golden period of Israel’s history. That man, King David, was the epitome of what was desired in His people. The prophet Samuel put it this way: “The Lord has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has appointed him as ruler over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you” (1 Sam 13:14).

Isaiah blasted his fellow Jews for their hypocritical observance of symbolism but neglect of true spirituality. “What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me? … I have had enough of burnt offerings … and I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs or goats … Bring your worthless offerings no longer, incense is an abomination to Me … the calling of assemblies— I cannot endure iniquity and the solemn assembly. I hate your new moon festivals and your appointed feasts, they have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them” (Isaiah 1:11–14). Harsh, surprising words! Why? Because while they were meticulous about the ritual code, they failed to live up to the moral code. God hates that! In short, they failed to be true Jews. What God was looking for was hearts like His.

O Lord, I confess living in the false safety of holding firmly to outward traditions at the exclusion of the inward heart that reflects Your character.