Joshua 5

Joshua 5:1

5:1 The heathen inhabitants of Canaan were seized with panic when they heard of the miraculous crossing of the Jordan by the Hebrew army.

Joshua 5:2

D. Ceremonies at Gilgal (5:2-12)5:2-9 This chapter tells about the events that took place at Gilgal, the first encampment Israel made in Canaan. There the men were circumcised (vv. 2-9). There they kept the Passover, the first in Canaan (v. 10). There the manna ceased (vv. 11, 12), and there Joshua met the Commander-in-chief of the host of the Lord’s army, Jesus Christ (vv. 13-15). The LORD directed Joshua to renew the rite of circumcision at this time. All the men who came out of Egypt . . . had been circumcised, but the men of war had all died in the meantime (Deu_2:16). For forty years there had been no circumcision. A new generation had arisen during the forty years of wandering, and they now had to undergo this ceremony as a sign of their restoration to the full enjoyment of their covenant blessings. As long as they wandered in the desert, they were ridiculed by the Egyptians for not gaining the Promised Land. But now that they were in the land, the reproach was rolled away (v. 9). The “second time” (v. 2) means the second time that circumcision was practiced by the nation. 5:10 The Passover was kept four days after the Jordan was crossed (on the fourteenth day of the month). Notice Joshua’s faith: Although he was in enemy territory, he obeyed God by circumcising his soldiers and by keeping the Passover. These have been called “most unmilitary acts.” Through circumcision and the Passover the Lord was calling His people back to the basics of their relationship with Him. Both of these rites had been neglected in the wilderness. Circumcision was a sign of the covenant between God and Abraham, and God in His faithfulness was keeping His unconditional promise by giving them the land (Gen_15:18-21). It was also a picture of self-judgment and putting away the filth of the flesh, vitally necessary to victory. The Passover was a reminder of their redemption. Jehovah had bought them and freed them from slavery in Egypt. In observing the Passover the Jews were obeying the word of the Lord given through Moses at the time of the first Passover forty years earlier (Exo_13:5). Grace was His motive in calling His people and bringing them out. Faithfulness was His guarantee that He would bring them in. 5:11, 12 The manna speaks of Christ in His Incarnation, the bread that came down from heaven as a provision for our wilderness needs. The produce of the land illustrates Christ in Resurrection, after entering into the blessings of Canaan. We feed on both. The manna ceased on the morning after they first ate the parched grain. “What a wonderful Time-keeper and Supplier God is!”

Joshua 5:13

E. The Conquest of Jericho (5:136:27)5:13, 14a The “Man” in verse 13 was the Angel of Jehovahthe Lord Jesus in one of His preincarnate appearances. He introduced Himself as Commander of the army of the LORD. Christ does not come merely to help us, and certainly not to harm us; He comes to take full control. 5:14b, 15 Here is conclusive proof that Joshua was in the presence of God, and knew it. Mere angels never accepted worship, but here the Angel of the Lord commands worship, thereby proving His divine nature. Joshua must learn firsthand what Moses had to learn at the beginning of his ministry (Ex. 3)the holiness and supremacy of the Lord.