Joshua 5

Chapter Introduction

Once in the land, the process of establishing a new life began. The first item of business was to be done with Egypt – the final reproach was to be rolled away. In addition, a new menu was in order. They would be given existing orchards, vineyards, and fields. In time, they would have the opportunity to provide for themselves and their families and tithe for the priests. Finally, a settled life seemed distant. There were imposing enemies all around. Joshua’s faith was reinforced when he saw and met their otherwise unseen Captain.

Joshua 5:1

The Amorites populated the hill country just west of the Jordan. The Canaanites were by the sea. Both had cities and regions ruled by kings, all who heard that the Lord had dried up the waters of the Jordan. Their heart melted. Their spirit passed away.

In the Old Testament, the heart was a term that conveyed internal life, disposition, emotion, and intellect. The melting of the heart then was the failure of these things, which was summarized as fear. Their courage and fortitude melted away. Life as they knew it evaporated.

Similarly, the spirit was the motivation, will, or desire to accomplish something, great or small, regardless of the odds. Spirit is the word ruah, the same word used for God’s breathe of life.

It is fascinating to consider that the Israelites spent forty years in the desert because they feared the Canaanites. Now, we see them fearful at the fame of the Lord.

Joshua 5:2-7

God established circumcision in Genesis 17 with Abraham. This was to be done with the male children of Israel when they were 8 days old as a sign of the covenant between Israel and God. God had been faithful to his covenant promise to bring them into the land. The Israelites stood in the land, flowing with milk and honey. God chose this time and place to renew and remember this covenant promise.

Imagine being a man of war among the Jews, a young man full of fight and vigor, courageous with a weapon in hand, standing in enemy territory. The enemy was all around. They had invaded their land. Clearly, they were to conquer this enemy and take the land. But Joshua said they weren’t going to war just yet. God has asked them to do something else first. They probably felt prepared militarily, but they were not spiritually prepared.

Joshua 5:8-9

God fulfilled His covenant Promise to bring them into the land. Three things would happen to establish them in the land.

First

Circumcision would have incapacitated them in a militarized zone. A valiant enemy could have easily wiped them out. As they were in pain and healing over the subsequent days, they probably couldn't help but look constantly at the horizon, hoping the enemy didn't come. God sent these young men a clear message: the battles wouldn't be won by their might or bravery. God was their guide and guard. They were in the army of the Lord. Every battle swung on the will of the Lord.

As servants of Jesus Christ, are we not in a similar army? We face battles daily. Are not our victories or defeats by the will of the Lord? As we face the enemy, we should be reminded of our promise that He will never leave or forsake us. As Christians, we are walking in the promise of Jesus Christ. Everything that happens is filtered through the will of the Lord (Romans 8:28).

Egypt circumcised young men, but in a different way, and a different reason. It may be that the men coming out of Egypt had been circumcised with the Egyptian method. The young men would be circumcised for the first time as Jews while the old men were circumcised again.

This marked a renewal of the covenant, a new start, new freedom, a new heart, and a new attitude in a new land. It's been said that it took the Lord 40 days to get Israel out of Egypt, but 40 years to get Egypt out of Israel. This day marked the rolling away of reproach.

Joshua 5:10-12

Second

This was the 40th anniversary of Passover. They ate the Passover in the presence of their enemies (Psalm 23) on the plains of Jericho.

Third

The manna ceased. I wonder if this caused fear among the people. Many of them had known the supernatural provision of Manna all their life. Now that they were in the Promised Land, they ate the food of the land.

Joshua 5:13-15

I love this passage. This man Joshua sees is an Old Testament appearance of Jesus. Of course, Joshua didn't know this was the Lord. All Joshua saw was a man with a sword in a land full of enemies. "Are you for us or our adversaries?" Joshua asked. I love that Jesus responded, "No!" I wonder if Joshua thought, 'No, what?' that wasn't an answer to the question. But in reality, it was. Jesus is I AM. He is self-sustaining. He is His own side, He doesn't have to choose a side. The better question was to those nearby: which side were they on, Jesus' side or that of the adversary?

Jesus was the Commander of the army of Yahweh, and he had come. Joshua suddenly realized he was talking to the Lord, fell on his face, and worshiped Jesus. Joshua was probably very relieved to find out this was a representative of God. Humbled before the Lord, he asked what the Lord had to say to him. (Speak, Lord, I’m listening!)

Jesus identified Himself as the God of the burning bush. When he told Joshua to take off his sandals because he was standing on holy ground, Joshua knew He was the God of the Burning bush.

One removed their sandals as a show of reverence and servitude to a higher authority. The plain dirt on which Joshua stood had become holy, made that way by the presence of the Lord.

See Zechariah 14:1-3

Big Idea

In the Promised Land, the Israelites were taught to circumcise to mark their covenant with the Lord. They ate the Passover to remember that the Lord had freed them from their slavery. They enjoyed the fruit of the land and life – as close to the original mandate to man as we’ll get in a fallen world.

In Jesus, we have very similar things. We are called to circumcise our hearts. We go to the table of remembrance, and by taking the Lord’s supper, we remember how He delivered us. We eat the bread of life, full, complete, and joyful.

Joshua