1 As soon as all the kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan to the west, and all the kings of the Canaanites who were by the sea, heard that the Lord had dried up the waters of the Jordan for the people of Israel until they had crossed over, their hearts melted and there was no longer any spirit in them because of the people of Israel.
2 At that time the Lord said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the sons of Israel a second time.”
3 And Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the sons of Israel at Gibeath-haaraloth.
4 And this is the reason why Joshua circumcised them: all the males of the people who came out of Egypt, all the men of war, had died in the wilderness on the way after they had come out of Egypt.
5 And all the people who came out had been circumcised, but all the people who were born in the wilderness along the way as they came out of Egypt had not been circumcised.
6 For the people of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, until all the nation, the men of war who came out of Egypt, perished, because they did not obey the voice of the Lord; the Lord swore to them that he would not let them see the land that the Lord had sworn to their fathers to give us, a land flowing with milk and honey.
7 And their children whom he raised up in their place, Joshua circumcised. For they were uncircumcised, because they had not been circumcised on the way.
8 And when the circumcising of all the nation was finished, they remained in their places in the camp until they were healed.
9 And the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” And so the name of that place is called Gilgal to this day.
10 And the people of Israel encamped at Gilgal, and kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month in the evening on the plains of Jericho.
11 And the day after the Passover, on that very day, they ate of the produce of the land, unleavened cakes and parched grain.
12 And the manna ceased the day after they ate of the produce of the land. And there was no longer manna for the people of Israel, but they ate of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.
13 When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?”
14 And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?”
15 And the commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.
The True Meaning of Joshua 5
This chapter of the Book of Joshua provides an important account of the Israelites’ journey into the Promised Land, following their miraculous crossing of the Jordan River. The author, Joshua, was a faithful servant of God, chosen to lead the Israelites after the death of Moses. The Israelites undergo the rite of circumcision and celebrate the Passover as they prepare for the conquest of Canaan in this passage. These events serve as a reminder of God’s covenant with His people and their obligation to remain faithful to Him. The Lord continues to shape the Israelites’ path with guidance and protection as we delve into this chapter, setting the stage for the battles to come.
The chapter also highlights the significance of the manna, which had sustained the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings, and its cessation as they begin to partake of the produce of the land. This transition marks a pivotal moment in the Israelites’ journey, as they move from dependence on God’s miraculous provision to the responsibility of cultivating the land He has given them.
Joshua 5:1-9
The Israelites had just crossed the Jordan River into the Promised Land in Joshua 5:1-9. The first verse mentions that the Canaanite kings had heard about the parting of the Jordan River and were paralyzed with fear. This sets the stage for the Israelites’ entrance into a land filled with people who are aware of the power and faithfulness of the God of Israel. The surrounding nations had seen God’s hand at work, and this would play a role in the events that followed. The Lord commands Joshua to circumcise the Israelite men who were born during the forty years in the wilderness in the following verses. Circumcision was a sign of the covenant between God and Abraham, and it had not been practiced during the wilderness journey. The circumcision of the Israelite males symbolized a renewal of the covenant relationship and a purging of the disobedience that had led to the Israelites wandering in the wilderness for forty years. This act signified a new beginning, a fresh start as they prepared to possess the land God had promised to them.
Furthermore, the chapter goes on to describe the observance of Passover in the new land. The Israelites had not observed the Passover since leaving Egypt, so this was a momentous occasion. The fact that they could now celebrate the Passover in the Promised Land was a reminder of God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. The importance of this event lies not just in its religious significance, but also in the reaffirmation of their identity as God’s chosen people, and the acknowledgment of God’s deliverance and provision throughout their history.
Another key point in these verses is the provision of manna ceasing as soon as the Israelites started eating the produce of the land. For forty years in the wilderness, God had faithfully provided manna for His people. Now, as they enjoyed the crops of Canaan, the manna ceased. This signaled the end of a particular season and the beginning of a new phase in their journey with God. It teaches us about God’s timing and provision – that He provides precisely what we need, when we need it, and that we can trust Him to sustain us through different seasons of life. Joshua 5:1-9 emphasizes the themes of obedience, covenant renewal, faithfulness, and provision. It showcases God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises, the significance of obedience in maintaining a relationship with God, and the importance of celebrating and remembering God’s past works. These verses remind us of the enduring truth that God is faithful to His people, and He leads them through transitions, renewals, and new beginnings with grace and purpose.
Joshua 5:10-12
The verse in Joshua 5:10-12 can be broken down into several important sections. First, the verse starts by stating, “On the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, while camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, the Israelites celebrated the Passover.” This marks a significant event for the Israelites as they celebrate the Passover, a commemoration of their deliverance from slavery in Egypt. This event was a reminder of God’s faithfulness to His chosen people and a time of thanksgiving for His protection and provision. The Passover was a significant festival in the Jewish calendar, reminding them of their identity as God’s chosen people and their covenant relationship with Him.
The mention of Gilgal is also noteworthy. Gilgal was the place where the Israelites first set up camp after crossing the Jordan River and where Joshua circumcised the Israelite men. This act of circumcision was a sign of the renewal of the covenant between God and His people. It symbolized their commitment to obeying God’s laws and following His ways. Circumcision was a physical manifestation of their spiritual dedication to God, emphasizing the importance of purity and obedience in their relationship with Him.
The verse goes on to say, “And the day after the Passover, that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land: unleavened bread and roasted grain.” This marks a significant shift for the Israelites. For the first time since their arrival in the Promised Land, they were able to partake of the produce of the land. This was a fulfillment of God’s promise to give them a land flowing with milk and honey. The unleavened bread is a reminder of their time in the wilderness when they had to rely on God’s provision for their sustenance. The roasted grain symbolizes the beginning of their harvest in the Promised Land, signifying a new season of abundance and blessing. A theme of obedience, faithfulness, and provision is seen in these verses. The Israelites obeyed God’s command to celebrate the Passover and renew their covenant through circumcision. God provided for their needs by allowing them to partake of the produce of the land. This serves as a timeless message of God’s faithfulness to His people when they are obedient and trust in His promises. Just as the Israelites celebrated the Passover and enjoyed the fruits of the land, we too can experience God’s blessings and provision when we walk in obedience and faith. This passage encourages us to remember God’s faithfulness in the past, trust in His provision for the present, and look forward to His promises for the future.
Joshua 5:13-15
Joshua encounters a mysterious figure before the battle of Jericho in Joshua 5:13-15, marking a pivotal moment in the book of Joshua. Identify the subject: “Let’s”
Sentence in active voice: “Let’s break down this passage into important sections and delve into the profound significance of these verses.” Joshua sees a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand near Jericho, preparing for the upcoming battle. Joshua, being a valiant leader, approaches the man and asks him a crucial question, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” This inquiry reveals Joshua’s understanding of the impending conflict and his desire to know whose side this figure is on. The response given by the man is intriguing and goes beyond a simple answer, “Neither, but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.” This revelation unveils the divine nature of this visitor, who identifies himself as the commander of the army of the Lord. This encounter is not with a mere mortal but with a celestial being, possibly a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ Himself, the ultimate leader of God’s armies.
Moving on to verse 14, the significance of this encounter intensifies as the commander of the army of the Lord instructs Joshua to remove his sandals because the place where he is standing is holy. This echoes the command given to Moses at the burning bush in Exodus 3:5, signifying the sacred space and the divine presence of God Himself. Joshua displays reverence and obedience to the divine authority of the commander of the Lord’s army by following this command. This act reinforces the idea that Joshua is standing on holy ground, indicating the imminent divine intervention in the conquest of Jericho.
Lastly, in verse 15, after Joshua obeys the command to remove his sandals, the commander of the army of the Lord reveals the battle strategy for the siege of Jericho. The detailed instructions given to Joshua signal a crucial shift from conventional warfare tactics to a divine, unconventional method. The plan involves the Israelites marching around the city of Jericho once a day for six days, with the priests carrying the ark of the covenant. On the seventh day, they are to march around the city seven times, blow trumpets, and shout, which will result in the walls of Jericho collapsing and the city being delivered into their hands. This strategy emphasizes the power of God at work and the importance of faith and obedience on the part of the Israelites. The encounter between Joshua and the commander of the army of the Lord in Joshua 5:13-15 conveys timeless messages about divine leadership, reverence, obedience, and faith. This divine encounter sets the stage for the miraculous victory at Jericho, highlighting the crucial role of God’s guidance and intervention in the lives of His people. Joshua’s humility and willingness to follow God’s commands serve as a model for believers to trust in the Lord’s plans, even when they seem unconventional or challenging. The events in Joshua 5 lay a foundation for the conquest of Canaan, illustrating that victory comes not by might or power, but by the Spirit of the Lord (Zechariah 4:6).
After Joshua 5
The Israelites had finally crossed the Jordan River and entered the Promised Land. They celebrated the Passover feast, and the manna that had sustained them in the wilderness ceased. The Lord then revealed himself to Joshua, the new leader of the people, and commissioned him to conquer the land. The Israelites were reminded of the importance of obedience and faith as they prepared for the battles that lay ahead. The Lord had brought them this far, and they knew that with His guidance, they would be victorious. The stage was set for the next chapter of their journey, where they would face the formidable walls of Jericho and the challenges that lay beyond.
Reverend Michael Johnson is an experienced Church Minister with a profound expertise in spirituality and guidance. With a serene presence and a compassionate heart, he has faithfully served his congregation for over 20 years, leading them on a spiritual journey towards inner peace and enlightenment. Reverend Johnson’s extensive knowledge of religious philosophies and profound understanding of human nature have made him a trusted confidant and mentor to many, as he seamlessly weaves his profound wisdom into life teachings. Reverend Johnson’s calming demeanor and empathetic nature continue to uplift and heal souls, nurturing a sense of unity and tranquility within his community.