Exodus 12:48Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Those who partake of the lamb must first be circumcised. Anyone who is uncircumcised is forbidden to consume it. Ex. 12:49. In a similar manner, the new Passover must undergo a transformation through the circumcision that addresses the sinful nature, as seen in Col. 2:11, which signifies the casting off of the body of sinful flesh. This process eliminates the root of sinful desires, which cannot coexist with the purity required to receive the Divine Lamb into our hearts.

Joining the community of the Old Covenant required an act of individual choice, just as joining the body of Christ does today. Throughout their history, the Israelites never employed violence to spread their faith. Anyone desiring to become part of Jehovah's assembly was welcomed as long as they agreed to adhere to the customs and laws of Israel. Upon acceptance into the nation, they enjoyed all the rights of a member of the people but were also subject to the same consequences for turning away from the faith as any other Israelite. The term 'stranger' refers to any foreigner who lawfully joins the people of Israel, in contrast to the settler mentioned previously.