Naturally, these midrashim about keeping the mitzvot were not meant figuratively. And we cannot say the classic answer ([Kiddushin 31a][1]) that *Gadol hametzuvah ve'oseh mimi she'eino metzuvah ve'oseh"* -- "The one who is commanded and fulfills is greater
than the one who fulfills without a command", such that Avraham deliberately waited. Nor will we say like any of [these answers][2].

Avraham Avinu **didn't wait**. Since he knew it would be an eventual commandment, he gave himself a *brit milah* immediately, at the tender age of three years old, when he first recognized his Creator (see [Nedarim 32][3]). However, since Hashem now issued him this command, what he actually performed on himself and all his male household was *hatafas dam bris*.

  [1]: http://www.dafyomi.co.il/kidushin/points/kd-ps-031.htm
  [2]: http://nefeshchaim.blogspot.com/2006/11/mila-what-was-avraham-waiting-for.html
  [3]: http://halakhah.com/nedarim/nedarim_32.html