As contemporary Christians, we often find ourselves asking, “What does it mean to truly trust and follow God, even when the timing seems uncertain or the challenges ahead feel overwhelming?” In Joshua 5, we witness the Israelites standing on the threshold of the Promised Land, facing not only physical battles but also spiritual preparation. God calls them to an unexpected act of obedience and renewal before they proceed—something that seems counterintuitive given the impending conflicts. How does this ancient story speak to us today about preparing our hearts for the promises and challenges God has set before us? As we explore Joshua 5, we’ll see how acts of faith, trust, and obedience are just as relevant for us as they were for the Israelites, shaping our readiness to receive what God has promised.
Joshua 5:1-9 – The Circumcision at Gilgal
“Now when all the Amorite kings west of the Jordan and all the Canaanite kings along the coast heard how the Lord had dried up the Jordan before the Israelites until they had crossed over, their hearts melted in fear and they no longer had the courage to face the Israelites. At that time the Lord said to Joshua, ‘Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites again.’ So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the Israelites at Gibeath Haaraloth. Now this is why he did so: All those who came out of Egypt—all the men of military age—died in the wilderness on the way after leaving Egypt. All the people that came out had been circumcised, but all the people born in the wilderness during the journey from Egypt had not. The Israelites had moved about in the wilderness forty years until all the men who were of military age when they left Egypt had died, since they had not obeyed the Lord. For the Lord had sworn to them that they would not see the land he had solemnly promised their ancestors to give us, a land flowing with milk and honey. So he raised up their sons in their place, and these were the ones Joshua circumcised. They were still uncircumcised because they had not been circumcised on the way. And after the whole nation had been circumcised, they remained where they were in camp until they were healed. Then the Lord said to Joshua, ‘Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.’ So the place has been called Gilgal to this day.” (Joshua 5:1-9, NIV)
In this section, the Israelites have just crossed the Jordan River, a miracle that solidified God’s presence with them as they entered the Promised Land. The timing of the circumcision at Gilgal is significant because it occurs just after a major victory—crossing the Jordan—and before the upcoming battles against the Canaanites. Historically, this event took place around 1406 B.C., just as the Israelites were preparing to begin their conquest of Canaan. The location, Gilgal, would become an important spiritual hub for the Israelites during this period.
The circumcision of the new generation of Israelites is not only a physical act but a deeply symbolic one. The older generation, those who had been disobedient in the wilderness, had died, leaving behind their sons. This generation was uncircumcised, meaning they were not yet fully identified with the covenant promises God made to Abraham. Circumcision was the sign of that covenant (Genesis 17:10-14), and its delay signified a broken connection with God’s promises during the wilderness wanderings. Joshua circumcising the new generation represents a renewal of that covenant, affirming their place as God’s chosen people and preparing them spiritually for the battles ahead. You have to wonder—why was this circumcision delayed until now, just after crossing the Jordan? It seems the timing was intentional; God waited until they had crossed into the Promised Land to renew their identity as covenant people, a fresh start on sacred ground.
But why did Joshua and the people obey this difficult command right before their first major military engagement? The answer likely lies in their dependence on God. Despite the immediate military risks (circumcision would incapacitate the men for a time), they trusted that God would protect them as He had at the Jordan. Their obedience signified that spiritual preparation took precedence over physical readiness. It’s a reminder that God often calls us to make sacrifices or take steps of faith when we feel vulnerable, but in those moments, He strengthens us for the challenges ahead. As scholar David M. Howard notes, “The Israelites were being taught that they were to rely on God’s strength, not their own” (Joshua: The New American Commentary, 1998).
Inspiration Insight: Sometimes, before we can advance in our spiritual journey, God asks us to recommit to Him, even when the timing seems difficult or risky. Trust that when God asks you to step out in faith, He’s preparing you for something greater.
Joshua 5:10-12 – The First Passover in the Promised Land
“On the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, while camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, the Israelites celebrated the Passover. The day after the Passover, that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land: unleavened bread and roasted grain. The manna stopped the day after they ate this food from the land; there was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate the produce of Canaan.” (Joshua 5:10-12, NIV)
This section captures the Israelites’ first Passover in the Promised Land. It’s a highly significant event, marking the transition from their wilderness wandering to settling in the land God promised them. This Passover celebration occurred in the spring, around the same time as their exodus from Egypt forty years earlier. The setting is the plains of Jericho, a fertile area ripe for harvest, providing the Israelites with their first taste of Canaan’s produce. The shift from manna to the food of the land is not just a culinary change; it signals a new chapter in their relationship with God and their journey as His people.
Why does the manna stop here? For forty years, the Israelites had relied on manna, God’s miraculous provision in the wilderness. But now that they were in the Promised Land, it was time for them to transition from dependence on miraculous provision to enjoying the fruit of the land God had given them. This change shows that God’s provision doesn’t always look the same in every season of life. In the wilderness, God had provided supernaturally to sustain them, but now, in Canaan, His provision would come through the land itself. This prompts an interesting question: Why didn’t God continue providing manna even after they entered the Promised Land? The answer lies in their new responsibility. By giving them the produce of the land, God was inviting them to take ownership of the promise He had fulfilled and to participate in the blessings He had prepared for them.
The theological meaning of the Passover also deepens here. In the wilderness, Passover was celebrated as a reminder of God’s deliverance from Egypt. Now, in the land, it’s a celebration of God’s faithfulness in bringing them to the place He had promised. The Passover at Gilgal links the past to the present, reminding the Israelites that the same God who delivered them from slavery is the God who will sustain them in this new chapter. The Hebrew word “Pesach” (פֶּסַח), meaning “to pass over,” echoes both the sparing of the Israelites in Egypt and God’s continued mercy and protection. Commentator Richard S. Hess notes, “The cessation of manna was a sign that the promise of the land had been realized” (Joshua: An Introduction and Commentary, 1996). This was a pivotal moment of transition and trust in God’s provision.
Inspiration Insight: God’s provision may change with different seasons of life, but His faithfulness remains the same. As we move into new places and roles, we can trust that God will supply what we need in every situation.
Joshua 5:13-15 – The Commander of the Lord’s Army Appears
“Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, ‘Are you for us or for our enemies?’ ‘Neither,’ he replied, ‘but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.’ Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, ‘What message does my Lord have for His servant?’ The commander of the Lord’s army replied, ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.’ And Joshua did so.” (Joshua 5:13-15, NIV)
This event happens as Joshua is preparing for the imminent battle with Jericho. Joshua, likely in a state of anxiety or anticipation, encounters a mysterious figure identified as the “Commander of the Lord’s Army.” Historically, this occurs around 1406 B.C., just before the Israelites’ first major conquest in the Promised Land. The location is significant—near Jericho, the first stronghold the Israelites will confront. The sudden appearance of this divine warrior underscores the spiritual nature of Israel’s mission. Joshua’s question, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” is revealing. His concern is understandably military, but the answer he receives transcends that. The Commander responds, “Neither,” indicating that God’s agenda goes beyond human concerns of ally and enemy.
This raises an intriguing question: Why doesn’t the Commander identify Himself as being strictly “for” Israel? The answer points to a larger theological truth—God’s purposes are greater than any one nation’s agenda. The battle that Joshua is about to face is not just Israel’s battle; it’s the Lord’s. The fact that Joshua is instructed to remove his sandals echoes Moses’ encounter with God at the burning bush (Exodus 3:5). This act of reverence indicates that Joshua is standing on holy ground, emphasizing that the upcoming battle is a divine mission, not merely a military campaign. Joshua’s response of falling facedown in worship shows his submission to God’s authority. In this moment, Joshua learns that his leadership, while important, is subordinate to God’s greater plan.
The Hebrew phrase “sar-tzava YHWH” (שַׂר־צְבָא יְהוָה), meaning “commander of the army of the Lord,” highlights the divine authority of this figure, who many scholars believe is a theophany—a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. As theologian David Jackman writes, “This encounter teaches Joshua—and us—that success in God’s work depends not on our plans but on our submission to His will” (Joshua: People of God’s Purpose, 2008).
Inspiration Insight: Before we face any battle or challenge, we must first recognize that it belongs to the Lord. Our victory comes not from our strength, but from our submission to His will and plan.
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