And it came to pass, when all the kings of the Amorites, which were on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, which were by the sea, heard that the Lord had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel.
At that time the Lord said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time.
And Joshua made him sharp knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at the hill of the foreskins.
And this is the cause why Joshua did circumcise: All the people that came out of Egypt, that were males, even all the men of war, died in the wilderness by the way, after they came out of Egypt.
Now all the people that came out were circumcised: but all the people that were born in the wilderness by the way as they came forth out of Egypt, them they had not circumcised.
For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people that were men of war, which came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the Lord: unto whom the Lord sware that he would not shew them the land, which the Lord sware unto their fathers that he would give us, a land that floweth with milk and honey.
And their children, whom he raised up in their stead, them Joshua circumcised: for they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them by the way.
And it came to pass, when they had done circumcising all the people, that they abode in their places in the camp, till they were whole.
And the Lord said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you. Wherefore the name of the place is called Gilgal unto this day.
And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho.
And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the passover, unleavened cakes, and parched corn in the selfsame day.
And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.
And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?
And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?
And the captain of the Lord’s host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.
Joshua 5 marks a pivotal moment in Israel's journey into the Promised Land. After crossing the Jordan, the people find themselves on the plains of Jericho, poised to confront the challenges ahead. This chapter reveals God's preparation for His people, both spiritually and strategically, setting the stage for the victories to come. Joshua 5 is not just a historical account, but a powerful illustration of God's faithfulness and the importance of obedience in receiving His promises.
Fear and Preparation (Joshua 5:1-9)
The initial verse sets the scene: When the kings of the Amorites and Canaanites heard how the Lord had dried up the Jordan River, their hearts melted, and they lost all courage (Joshua 5:1). This fear, echoing Rahab's earlier declaration (Joshua 2:9-11), underscores the power of God's intervention and its impact on Israel's enemies. However, before engaging in battle, God commands Joshua to circumcise the Israelite men (Joshua 5:2-3).
This act of circumcision was more than a mere physical procedure; it was a reaffirmation of the covenant between God and Abraham's descendants (Genesis 17:9-14). While those who left Egypt had been circumcised, their children born in the wilderness had not (Joshua 5:4-6). This neglect needed correction. By undergoing circumcision, the entire male population was physically marked as belonging to God, setting them apart from the surrounding nations.
The vulnerability during the healing period seems strategically unwise from a human perspective. Yet, by submitting to God's command and entering into covenant with Him, they were actually under His divine protection. What appeared to be a weakness became a source of strength.
God declares, "Today I have rolled away the disgrace of Egypt from you" (Joshua 5:9). What does this mean? In Egypt, the Israelites were slaves, and even in the wilderness, many yearned to return. Circumcision symbolized a break from that past, a declaration of their freedom. It signified that they were no longer defined by their former bondage but by their covenant relationship with God.
This speaks powerfully to us today. As believers in Jesus Christ, we are freed from the slavery of sin (John 8:34-36). While temptation persists, we are no longer bound to obey it. The enemy will try to deceive us, making us believe we are still slaves to his will. It is crucial to remember our freedom in Christ and to ask God to "roll away" the shame and influence of our past so that we can walk in victory.
Passover and the End of Manna (Joshua 5:10-12)
After the circumcision, the Israelites observed the Passover on the plains of Jericho (Joshua 5:10), commemorating their deliverance from Egypt. This act of remembrance solidified their identity as God's redeemed people. The next day, they ate unleavened bread and roasted grain from the land (Joshua 5:11). This seemingly simple statement carries profound significance: "The day after they ate this food from the land, the manna stopped" (Joshua 5:12).
For forty years, God had miraculously provided manna, bread from heaven, to sustain them in the wilderness (Exodus 16). Now, in the Promised Land, that provision ceased. From this point on, they would need to cultivate the land and depend on God's promise to provide through their own labor.
This transition holds valuable lessons for our spiritual growth. Just as infants need to be fed, new believers require constant spiritual nourishment. However, as we mature in our faith, God expects us to take responsibility for our own spiritual development. While receiving instruction from Scripture is essential, we must also actively apply what we learn, trusting God and acting on His promises. We cannot remain spiritual infants forever; we must learn to feed ourselves and bear fruit.
Encounter with the Commander of the Lord's Army (Joshua 5:13-15)
As the Israelites prepared to face the formidable city of Jericho, Joshua had a remarkable encounter. While near Jericho, Joshua looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand (Joshua 5:13). This was no ordinary man. Joshua, understandably, wanted to know whose side he was on, asking, "Are you for us or for our enemies?"
The man's response was unexpected: "Neither," he replied. "I have now come as commander of the Lord’s army" (Joshua 5:14). This was a divine being, a commander of God's heavenly hosts. Many scholars believe this was a pre-incarnate appearance of the Son of God.
Joshua, recognizing the authority of this divine commander, bowed down to the ground in worship (Joshua 5:14). This act of worship is significant. We are to worship God alone, and angels rightly refuse worship (Revelation 19:10; 22:9). The fact that this commander accepted Joshua's worship suggests His divine nature.
The commander then instructs Joshua, "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy" (Joshua 5:15). These words echo God's command to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:1-6). Joshua, like Moses before him, was standing on holy ground, a place made sacred by God's presence. Holy ground is God-occupied space. Only God can transform an ordinary place into sacred territory.
This encounter highlights a crucial principle: before facing any challenge, we must first encounter God. In the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, like the fortified city of Jericho, God reveals Himself. Joshua's response was worship, and it was only after this act of worship that God revealed His strategy for victory (Joshua 6:1-5).
Before we seek solutions, we must seek God. Before we strategize, we must worship. The path to victory begins with a divine encounter and a heart of reverence.
And it came to pass, when all the kings of the Amorites, which were on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, which were by the sea, heard that the Lord had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel.
At that time the Lord said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time.
And Joshua made him sharp knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at the hill of the foreskins.
And this is the cause why Joshua did circumcise: All the people that came out of Egypt, that were males, even all the men of war, died in the wilderness by the way, after they came out of Egypt.
Now all the people that came out were circumcised: but all the people that were born in the wilderness by the way as they came forth out of Egypt, them they had not circumcised.
For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people that were men of war, which came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the Lord: unto whom the Lord sware that he would not shew them the land, which the Lord sware unto their fathers that he would give us, a land that floweth with milk and honey.
And their children, whom he raised up in their stead, them Joshua circumcised: for they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them by the way.
And it came to pass, when they had done circumcising all the people, that they abode in their places in the camp, till they were whole.
And the Lord said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you. Wherefore the name of the place is called Gilgal unto this day.
And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho.
And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the passover, unleavened cakes, and parched corn in the selfsame day.
And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.
And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?
And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?
And the captain of the Lord’s host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.
Joshua 5 marks a pivotal moment in Israel's journey into the Promised Land. After crossing the Jordan, the people find themselves on the plains of Jericho, poised to confront the challenges ahead. This chapter reveals God's preparation for His people, both spiritually and strategically, setting the stage for the victories to come. Joshua 5 is not just a historical account, but a powerful illustration of God's faithfulness and the importance of obedience in receiving His promises.
Fear and Preparation (Joshua 5:1-9)
The initial verse sets the scene: When the kings of the Amorites and Canaanites heard how the Lord had dried up the Jordan River, their hearts melted, and they lost all courage (Joshua 5:1). This fear, echoing Rahab's earlier declaration (Joshua 2:9-11), underscores the power of God's intervention and its impact on Israel's enemies. However, before engaging in battle, God commands Joshua to circumcise the Israelite men (Joshua 5:2-3).
This act of circumcision was more than a mere physical procedure; it was a reaffirmation of the covenant between God and Abraham's descendants (Genesis 17:9-14). While those who left Egypt had been circumcised, their children born in the wilderness had not (Joshua 5:4-6). This neglect needed correction. By undergoing circumcision, the entire male population was physically marked as belonging to God, setting them apart from the surrounding nations.
The vulnerability during the healing period seems strategically unwise from a human perspective. Yet, by submitting to God's command and entering into covenant with Him, they were actually under His divine protection. What appeared to be a weakness became a source of strength.
God declares, "Today I have rolled away the disgrace of Egypt from you" (Joshua 5:9). What does this mean? In Egypt, the Israelites were slaves, and even in the wilderness, many yearned to return. Circumcision symbolized a break from that past, a declaration of their freedom. It signified that they were no longer defined by their former bondage but by their covenant relationship with God.
This speaks powerfully to us today. As believers in Jesus Christ, we are freed from the slavery of sin (John 8:34-36). While temptation persists, we are no longer bound to obey it. The enemy will try to deceive us, making us believe we are still slaves to his will. It is crucial to remember our freedom in Christ and to ask God to "roll away" the shame and influence of our past so that we can walk in victory.
Passover and the End of Manna (Joshua 5:10-12)
After the circumcision, the Israelites observed the Passover on the plains of Jericho (Joshua 5:10), commemorating their deliverance from Egypt. This act of remembrance solidified their identity as God's redeemed people. The next day, they ate unleavened bread and roasted grain from the land (Joshua 5:11). This seemingly simple statement carries profound significance: "The day after they ate this food from the land, the manna stopped" (Joshua 5:12).
For forty years, God had miraculously provided manna, bread from heaven, to sustain them in the wilderness (Exodus 16). Now, in the Promised Land, that provision ceased. From this point on, they would need to cultivate the land and depend on God's promise to provide through their own labor.
This transition holds valuable lessons for our spiritual growth. Just as infants need to be fed, new believers require constant spiritual nourishment. However, as we mature in our faith, God expects us to take responsibility for our own spiritual development. While receiving instruction from Scripture is essential, we must also actively apply what we learn, trusting God and acting on His promises. We cannot remain spiritual infants forever; we must learn to feed ourselves and bear fruit.
Encounter with the Commander of the Lord's Army (Joshua 5:13-15)
As the Israelites prepared to face the formidable city of Jericho, Joshua had a remarkable encounter. While near Jericho, Joshua looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand (Joshua 5:13). This was no ordinary man. Joshua, understandably, wanted to know whose side he was on, asking, "Are you for us or for our enemies?"
The man's response was unexpected: "Neither," he replied. "I have now come as commander of the Lord’s army" (Joshua 5:14). This was a divine being, a commander of God's heavenly hosts. Many scholars believe this was a pre-incarnate appearance of the Son of God.
Joshua, recognizing the authority of this divine commander, bowed down to the ground in worship (Joshua 5:14). This act of worship is significant. We are to worship God alone, and angels rightly refuse worship (Revelation 19:10; 22:9). The fact that this commander accepted Joshua's worship suggests His divine nature.
The commander then instructs Joshua, "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy" (Joshua 5:15). These words echo God's command to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:1-6). Joshua, like Moses before him, was standing on holy ground, a place made sacred by God's presence. Holy ground is God-occupied space. Only God can transform an ordinary place into sacred territory.
This encounter highlights a crucial principle: before facing any challenge, we must first encounter God. In the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, like the fortified city of Jericho, God reveals Himself. Joshua's response was worship, and it was only after this act of worship that God revealed His strategy for victory (Joshua 6:1-5).
Before we seek solutions, we must seek God. Before we strategize, we must worship. The path to victory begins with a divine encounter and a heart of reverence.