JOSHUA LESSON 5
We will begin this lesson in Joshua 5:1 "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 there spirit in them any more, because of the
children of Israel."
We find that Rahab had spoken the truth about the hearts of the
people being melted in terror of their destiny. They are not terrified
of Israel, but of Israel's God. The Amorites on the east side of
Jordan have already been defeated. That, along with the knowledge that
God dried up the Jordan River for their passage, has frightened the
people of Canaan into not resisting the Israelites. In fact, the
people of the land are in a state of shock. They have lost the spirit
to fight.
Joshua 5:2 "At that time the LORD said unto Joshua, Make thee
sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second
time."
This does not mean to circumcise someone who has already been
circumcised. This is speaking of those born on the trip across the
wilderness, who have grown up uncircumcised. This cutting away of the
flesh of the foreskin symbolizes the cutting away of worldliness. The
Christian is circumcised in his heart. Colossians 2:11 "In whom also
ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in
putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of
Christ:" Romans 2:29 "But he [is] a Jew, which is one inwardly; and
circumcision [is that] of the heart, in the spirit, [and] not in the
letter; whose praise [is] not of men, but of God."
Joshua 5:3 "And Joshua made him sharp knives, and circumcised the
children of Israel at the hill of the foreskins."
This just names the place the circumcisions took place here.
Joshua 5:4 "And this [is] the 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." Joshua 5:5 "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, [them] they had not
circumcised."
Since the time of Abraham, the Hebrew men had been circumcised on
the eighth day. During the wilderness wanderings, they had not
circumcised the boy babies on the eighth day. The circumcising of the
men was a symbol of their covenant with God. This would be a renewing
of their covenant with God.
Joshua 5:6 "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 sware that he would not shew them the land,
which the LORD sware unto their fathers that he would give us, a land
that floweth with milk and honey."
We remember, the rebellious people who had come to the promised
land 38 years earlier, and could not go in, because of their lack of
faith in God. God punished them by extending the wanderings, until
those who were 20 years old, or older, died off. The next generation,
who had not lacked faith in God, inherited the promised land of milk
and honey.
Joshua 5:7 "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."
The covenant was sealed with this circumcision of all the men.
This is a recognition of their covenant with God. Every male, from 8
days old to time of death, was circumcised.
Joshua 5:8 "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."
This was a short time to rest, until they were healed.
Joshua 5:9 "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."
As we said earlier, this was symbolic of cutting away the sins of
the world. Their lives should no longer be controlled by the lust of
their flesh. Christians should not be pleasing the desires of their
flesh, either. We must cut away the worldliness from our hearts. The
Spirit must rule over the flesh, to be in right standing with God.
Joshua 5:10 "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."
They had been instructed of Moses from God to keep the Passover,
whenever they entered the promised land. The 14th day of Abib {near
our April} was Passover. The renewal of their covenant with God
required the keeping of the law of God.
Joshua 5:11 "And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the
morrow after the passover, unleavened cakes, and parched [corn] in the
selfsame day."
The Feast of Unleavened Bread began at Passover. It appears this
was kept, as well.
Joshua 5:12 "And the manna ceased on the morrow 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."
The heavenly Bread {manna} had fed them during their wilderness
wanderings, when there was nothing else to eat. Now, they are in the
land full of food. They will eat of the good of the land. The manna
did not cease, until they had passed over into their promised land.
The miracle of the manna was made even more real by its stopping, just
after they arrived in the land of plenty food.
Joshua 5:13 "And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho,
that he lifted 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?"
This was a vision, or an appearance, of an angelic being in the
form of a man. The sword drawn speaks of war. Joshua asks him, who
this is speaking of, them or their enemy? Joshua knew this was a
supernatural happening, or he would not have walked up to a man with a
drawn sword.
Joshua 5:14 "And he said, Nay; but [as] captain of the host of
the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and
did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?"
He is not for the adversaries. He has come to lead that vast army
of God against the enemies of Israel. Joshua, recognizing the fact
that he is the captain of the host of the LORD, fell on his face to
worship God. It would be correct for Joshua to worship Him, if this is
the manifestation of the One we call Jesus. The Lord does appear to
lead a mighty army in Revelation. Joshua calls Him his Lord. It is
either the Lord, Himself, or an angel He has sent for this task.
Joshua 5:15 "And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua,
Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest
[is] holy. And Joshua did so."
This is the same thing the voice from the burning bush had said
to Moses. Any place the presence of the Lord is, is holy ground.
Exodus 3:5 "And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from
off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest [is] holy ground."
Joshua is aware of the presence of the Lord here. He removes his
shoes.
Joshua 5 Questions
1. What had the kings of the Amorites and Canaanites heard that
frightened them?
2. How was their fear described?
3. Who had earlier spoken the truth about these kings?
4. Who are they terrified of?
5. Why was Joshua to make him sharp knives?
6. Who will this be done to?
7. What does this symbolize?
8. Quote Colossians chapter 2 verse 11.
9. Quote Romans chapter 2 verse 29.
10. What did they name the place where this happened?
11. Why was this necessary?
12. The circumcising of the men was a symbol of their ________ with
God.
13. Why were all the men of war allowed to die in the wilderness?
14. Who would be circumcised?
15. Quote Joshua chapter 5 verse 9.
16. The _______ must rule over the _______, to be in right standing
with God.
17. What day did they keep the Passover?
18. The renewal of their covenant with God required the keeping of the
______ of God.
19. Verse 11 speaks of what feast being kept?
20. When did the manna cease?
21. How was the miracle of the manna made even more real?
22. What did Joshua see in verse 13?
23. What was this?
24. How do we know Joshua knew this was supernatural?
25. Who did He call Himself?
26. What did Joshua do, when He said who He was?
27. What had He come to do?
28. Who does the author believe this is a manifestation of?
29. What did He tell Joshua to do?
30. Why was he to do it?
31. When was this same thing said before?
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