Joshua 5

Joshua 5:1-9

We have here, 1. The terror of the Canaanites, ver. 1. 2. The covenant of circumcision removed, ver. 2-9. 3. The feast of the passover celebrated, ver. 10. 4. Their camp withalled with the coin of the land, whereupon the manna cooled, ver. 11, 12. 5. The captain of the Lord’s half himself appears to Joshua, to animate and direct him, ver. 13-15.

1. 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 their spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel. 2. At that time the LORD said unto Joshua, make thee sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time. 3. And Joshua made him sharp knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at the hill of the fore-fkins. 4. And this is the Mmm cause

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. 5. 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, then they had not circumcised. 6. 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 fware that he would not shew them the land which the LORD fware unto their fathers that he would give us, a land that floweth with milk and honey. 7. 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. 8. 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. 9. 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.

Safely arrived at last within the borders of the promised land, the divided waters of Jordan close, and nothing remains, but to cast out the inhabitants, and possess the country. In order to which we are told, 1. What terror and dismay seized on the neighbouring kings. Who can stand before them, from whose presence the dwellings of affrighted Jordan retire and open a safe way for their march? Their hearts melted therefore like was, and they gave themselves up for loss. 2. God whom makes his enemies know how vain it is to contend with him; and by his secret terrors, even in the midst of life and health, brings them into the pangs of death. 2. The people halted at their first station, and Joshua, at the divine command, issues orders for a general circumcision of the people. It seems, during their march through the wilderness, that not had been neglected, either because of the inconvenience it must have been attended with, during their frequent marches, or perhaps forbidden them as a mark of God’s displeasure. The seal of the covenant being with-hold, they might be admonished at their forfeiture of the blessings of it, through their unbelief and murmuring. But now, when God’s goodness has triumphed over their perveneries, on admitting them into the land, he commands them to receive the seal of the covenant in token of the fulfilment of the promise made to Abraham; and whilst their enemies were in terrors, they might rest in safety from fear of being attacked, till they were recovered. 3. The people readily consent; they had seen so much of God’s interposition, that they were not afraid of their enemies, and were happy to lay themselves under the bonds of the covenant, that with God’s promises thus sealed to them, they might go forth more confidently to vanquish their foes. All therefore who were born in the wilderness were circumcised together, the very day they arrived at their first station, or the day following. The operation was performed with sharp knives, or, as the original imports, knives of stones, which were anointily in use; and it is called a second circumcision, not that it was ever repeated to the same persons, but in reference either to the first infatuation of the ordinance, which now, on entering the promised land, was so solemnly repeated; or, as others conscious, with respect to a former general circumcision, during the three days darkness in Egypt; because, in their state of hard servitude and perfectionism, it had probably been neglected. As any person might circumcis, and all those that came out of Egypt, under twenty years of age, were most of them alive, the work divided into so many hands was soon performed; and the place afterwards retained the name of the transaction, it was called the hill of the Forekins, because they covered them up with earth in an heap, and Gilgal, because their reproach was now taken away. They were owned of God, as his constant children, and no longer to be branded as wanderers in a wilderness, but now are entered as possessions into the long-expected inheritance. 2. 3. The Head of God must circumcise the forefairs of their heart, and cut off every corrupt and vile affection. 3. Nothing can so indelibly refuse us of inheriting the kingdom of glory, as the experience of the mortification of sin in our souls, through the work of our divine Joshua.

10. ¶ 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. 11. And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the passover unleavened cakes, and parched corn in the

self-fame day. 12. ¶ And the manne ceased on the morning 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.

Joshua 5:10-12

The people being prepared by circumcision, might now partake of the other grand ordinance of God; accordingly we find, before they entered upon action, they kept the passover as prescribed, on the fourteenth day of the month, exactly forty years from their departure from Egypt. From that day they began to eat the old corn of the land, which they had stood probably in the villages which the people defeated on their approach; with this they kept the feast of unleavened bread, offering the first-fruits, which were now ripe, of that part of the adjacent fields of which they had taken possession; and now, as they had no more need of the manne, it ceased; God here in shewing them it was not an ordinary provision, but a daily miracle, and no longer to be expected, when they might be supplied in an ordinary way. 1. They who would go forth with courage to fight the Lord’s battles, should first solemnly devote themselves to him, and act faith upon him in the use of his sacraments. 2. We must not expect to be fed by miracle, when God puts ordinary means into our hand. 3. Sweet and strengthening as manne are the ordinances of grace now to the militant believer, but when they have answered their design they will cease; when we come to the presence of God, and the possession of glory, prayer, the word, and sacraments, will be no longer needful.

13. ¶ And it came to pass when Joshua was by Jericho, that he left 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? 14. And he said, Nay, but at captain of the hoft of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What faith my LORD unto his servant? 15. And the captain of the LORD’s hoft said unto Joshua, ‘Loose thy shoe from off thy foot, for the place whereon thou standest, is holy: and Joshua did so.

Joshua 5:13-15

When Joshua and the people had been thus waiting upon God, he comes to manifest himself to them for their encouragement. They who draw near to God, will ever find God near to hear and help them; Joshua seems to have retired, either to reconnoitre the walls, in order to form an attack on Jericho, or to pray for divine direction; and, whilst in thought involved his eyes were turned to the earth, a majestic appearance awakens his notice, and on a sudden a man with a sword drawn stands before him. This seems to be no other than the incantate word, that in the fulness of time should come, who now appeared in an human form, to encourage his people by his presence and protection. 16. If, Jesus draws the sword to defend us, not all the powers of sin, death or hell shall be able to hurt us. 17. He is a valiant leader, boldly advances, and bids him declare whether he came as friend or foe, ready to hazard his life if needed, and fearless of the drawn sword. 18. We need courage when we are fighting for God, and especially not to fear the faces of men. He does not disarm to answer the question, but quickly redefines him concerning his character and design. As captain of the Lord’s hofts he is come, to guide them with his counsel, and strengthen them with his power. And what can stand before those who fight under such a leader? 19. Joshua now plainly perceived the presence of the deity: the same Jehovah that appeared to Abraham as a traveller, now comes as a man of war, and therefore at his feet he falls, to make supplication before him, and receive his orders from him. It is no disparagement to the greatest general to be found often on his knees before the God of hofts, and there is no furor way to obtain the necks of his enemies. To impress his mind with deeper reverence and awe, and to intimate to him that it was the same divine Majesty which speaks to Moses in the bush, he commands him to look his shoe, as a mark of respect and obedience, which he instantly performs, and stands attentive to the commands which the Lord should be pleased to enjoin him. 20. 1. Christ is the captain of our salvation, fully qualified to subdue all our spiritual enemies, and ever standing ready to help and defend all who try to him for succour. 2. If we take him for our Lord, we must show ourselves his servants, by a ready obedience to his will and pleasure.