Josué 5
J. Vernon McGee · Citado em PreceptAustin
Josué 5
Vernon McGee adds - Because the Jordan River was at flood stage, the Amorites and Canaanites did not expect the Israelites to cross over. They expected them to cross over after the flood season was over. They probably thought they had quite a bit more time to prepare for battle, and it was a shock for them to discover that God had enabled Israel to cross Jordan. (Joshua 5) Heard how the LORD had dried up the waters of the Jordan before the sons of Israel until they had crossed, that their hearts melted - In short, the Lord went before Israel and demoralized their enemies. The Canaanites were already afraid (Josh 2:9-11), and now their fears totally demoralized them. What a better time for Israel to strike, but that was not God's plan. As an aside it is interesting that 4 chapters in Joshua begin with something the kings (or king) heard (Joshua 5:1, Joshua 9:1-2, Joshua 10:1-2 and Joshua 11:1-3. Irving Jensen makes an excellent point that "The miracle of the Jordan crossing left no possible suggestion of mere coincidence or favorable chance. This is confirmed by the reactions of the enemies of the land, whose hearts melted in fear when the report reached them that “Jehovah had dried up the waters of the Jordan” (Joshua 5:1). And there was no spirit in them any longer because of the sons of Israel - Whether Joshua actually knew the emotional/mental state of his enemy is not stated in the text, but he had already been informed by the two spies. You would have expected Joshua to mobilize the army immediately and attack Jericho. After all, the people of Israel were united in following the Lord; and the people of the land were paralyzed by fear. From the human point of view, it was the perfect time for Joshua to act. But God’s thoughts and ways are higher than ours (Isa 55:8,9); and Joshua was getting his orders from the Lord, not from the military experts. The nation crossed the river on the tenth day of the first month (Joshua 4:19). The events described in Joshua 5 took at least ten days later, and then the people marched around Jericho for six more days. God waited over two weeks before giving His people their first victory in the land. Brian Harbour - The conquest of the land did not come about because of the strength of the Hebrews but because of the strength of God. The Hebrews acknowledged that by marking themselves with the sign of the covenant and by celebrating the Passover. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary - Verses 1-9. How dreadful is their case, who see the wrath of God advancing towards them, without being able to turn it aside, or escape it! Such will be the horrible situation of the wicked; nor can words express the anguish of their feelings, or the greatness of their terror. Oh that they would now take warning, and before it be too late, flee for refuge to lay hold upon that hope set before them in the gospel! God impressed these fears on the Canaanites, and dispirited them. This gave a short rest to the Israelites, and circumcision rolled away the reproach of Egypt. They were hereby owned to be the free-born children of God, having the seal of the covenant. When God glorifies himself in perfecting the salvation of his people, he not only silences all enemies, but rolls back their reproaches upon themselves. Theodore Epp - Evidence of Separation As far as Israel was concerned, there was no inheritance possible to them until they were circumcised. This was clearly stated in Genesis 17 where the covenant concerning the land was given. So now, as the nation stood at the edge of Canaan, it was necessary that they follow through on the sign of separation, which for them was circumcision. This was the sign God made with Abraham, and it was to be continued by his posterity. The people renewed their separation through circumcision and also renewed their relationship by celebrating the Passover. Egypt with its bondage was behind them; the desert wanderings were over; Jordan, the place of decision, was crossed; and the nation was now ready to conquer Canaan. A new kind of food was necessary as Israel went against her enemies and took possession of the country. Joshua soon discovered that he was face to face with the Captain of the Lord's hosts, the commander of the Lord's armies. Here was the Warrior and Leader, coming not to help but to take charge. The Captain of the Lord's hosts came not only to direct the armies of Israel but also to fight for Israel and with Israel and through Israel. This is the same truth as is taught in Ephesians 6:10 (note) where we are told to "be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." "For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh" (see note Philippians 3:3). QUESTION - . Who were the Amorites? ANSWER - The Amorites were an ancient nation mentioned frequently in the Old Testament. (EDITORIAL NOTE - 86X IN 85V - Gen. 10:16; Gen. 14:7; Gen. 14:13; Gen. 15:16; Gen. 15:21; Gen. 48:22; Exod. 3:8; Exod. 3:17; Exod. 13:5; Exod. 23:23; Exod. 33:2; Exod. 34:11; Num. 13:29; Num. 21:13; Num. 21:21; Num. 21:25; Num. 21:26; Num. 21:29; Num. 21:31; Num. 21:32; Num. 21:34; Num. 22:2; Num. 32:33; Num. 32:39; Deut. 1:4; Deut. 1:7; Deut. 1:19; Deut. 1:20; Deut. 1:27; Deut. 1:44; Deut. 2:24; Deut. 3:2; Deut. 3:8; Deut. 3:9; Deut. 4:46; Deut. 4:47; Deut. 7:1; Deut. 20:17; Deut. 31:4; Jos. 2:10; Jos. 3:10; Jos. 5:1; Jos. 7:7; Jos. 9:1; Jos. 9:10; Jos. 10:5; Jos. 10:6; Jos. 10:12; Jos. 11:3; Jos. 12:2; Jos. 12:8; Jos. 13:4; Jos. 13:10; Jos. 13:21; Jos. 24:8; Jos. 24:11; Jos. 24:12; Jos. 24:15; Jos. 24:18; Jdg. 1:34; Jdg. 1:35; Jdg. 1:36; Jdg. 3:5; Jdg. 6:10; Jdg. 10:8; Jdg. 10:11; Jdg. 11:19; Jdg. 11:21; Jdg. 11:23; 1 Sam. 7:14; 2 Sam. 21:2; 1 Ki. 4:19; 1 Ki. 9:20; 1 Ki. 21:26; 2 Ki. 21:11; 1 Chr. 1:14; 2 Chr. 8:7; Ezr. 9:1; Neh. 9:8; Ps. 135:11; Ps. 136:19; Ezek. 16:3; Ezek. 16:45; Amos 2:9; Amos 2:10) They were descended from one of the sons of Canaan (Genesis 10:15–16). In early inscriptions, the Amorites were also known as Amurra or Amurri. The “land of the Amorites” included Syria and Israel. Some of the southern mountains of Judea were also called the hill country of the Amorites (Deuteronomy 1:7, 19-20). Two kings of the Amorites named Sihon and Og were defeated by the Israelites under Moses’ leadership (Deuteronomy 31:4). In Joshua 10:10, five Amorite kings were defeated by the people of Israel, and the victory was decisively won in Joshua 11:8. In the time of Samuel, peace existed between Israel and the Amorites (1 Samuel 7:14). Less than a century later, King Solomon forced the remaining Amorites into slavery: “All the people who were left of the Amorites . . . who were not of the people of Israel—their descendants who were left after them in the land, whom the people of Israel were unable to devote to destruction—these Solomon drafted to be slaves” (1 Kings 9:20-21). The Amorites are last mentioned in Amos 2:10. It is assumed they either died out or were absorbed into the culture of Israel. The Amorites were known as fierce warriors during their prime. Moses referred to Og, the king of the Amorites, as a very tall man whose bed was approximately 13.5 feet long (Deuteronomy 3:11). Despite their strong numbers and military might, the Amorites were destroyed due to their worship of false gods. Israel’s conquest of their land was part of God’s judgment on the pagan Amorite culture. Here are a couple lessons to learn from the Amorites: First, only the one, true God is worthy of worship. The idols of the Amorites and the false gods they represent cannot compete with the omnipotent God of Israel. Also, God gives nations opportunity to repent before judgment (2 Peter 3:9; Revelation 2:20-21). The Amorite nation had plenty of time to turn from their idolatry, but they despised God’s goodness and longsuffering and refused to repent (Romans 2:4). The Lord’s judgment upon them was severe, and anyone who imitates their rebellion will eternally regret it (Romans 2:5; Matthew 10:28; Revelation 2:22-23).GotQuestions.org QUESTION - Who were the Canaanites? ANSWER - The Canaanites were a group of ancient people who lived in the land of Canaan on the eastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Canaan is described in the Bible as extending from Lebanon toward the Brook of Egypt in the south and the Jordan River Valley in the east. In the Bible, notably in Genesis 10 and Numbers 34, this was called the “land of Canaan” and occupies the same area that is occupied by modern Lebanon and Israel, plus parts of Jordan and Syria. The Canaanites are mentioned over 150 times in the Bible. They were a wicked, idolatrous people descended from Noah’s grandson Canaan, who was a son of Ham (Genesis 9:18). Canaan was cursed because of his and his father’s sin against Noah (Genesis 9:20–25). In some passages, Canaanites specifically refers to the people of the lowlands and plains of Canaan (Joshua 11:3); in other passages, Canaanites is used more broadly to refer to all the inhabitants of the land, including the Hivites, Girgashites, Jebusites, Amorites, Hittites, and Perizzites (see Judges 1:9–10). The land of Canaan was the land God promised to give to Abraham’s descendants (Genesis 12:7). The Canaanites are described in the Bible as a large and fierce people, not easily defeated, so the Israelites would need divine help to come against them, defeat them, and take their land away. God promised Moses and Joshua that help (Joshua 1:3). After the Exodus, when the Lord told Moses to invade Canaan, Moses sent a group of spies into the land of Canaan to see what the people were like. The spies came back with a report that was both encouraging and daunting. The fruit of the land was huge—it took two men to carry back one cluster of grapes (Numbers 13:23)—and the land was bountiful in many other ways. However, the Canaanites were strong, and the cities were large and fortified. Also, the Israelite spies had seen what they described as Nephilim and the descendants of Anak there (Numbers 13:28, 33)—next to these fierce people, the Israelites saw themselves as “grasshoppers” (verse 33). In the end, the Israelites were so afraid of the Canaanites that they refused to go into the land God had promised to them. Only Joshua and Caleb were confident that God would help them defeat the Canaanites. Because of their unwillingness to trust God, that generation of Israelites was denied entry into Canaan (Numbers 14:30-35). After Moses’ death, Joshua was called by God to lead the people of Israel through the Jordan River and into the Promised Land. The first city they came to was Jericho, a strong-walled city of the Canaanites. Joshua believed God and told the people that God would drive the Canaanites out of the land so that Israel could take the land of Canaan (Joshua 3:10). The fall of Jericho was a supernatural event, as God overthrew that city (Joshua 6). This victory was a sign to the people of Israel and to the people of Canaan that God had given the land of Canaan to the Israelites. Despite a long campaign against the inhabitants of Canaan, there remained several pockets of Canaanites in Israel after the land had been divided among the twelve tribes (Judges 1:27–36). Some of the Canaanites who remained in Israel were pressed into forced labor, but many strongholds remained in the land. The partial obedience of Israel, resulting in these Canaanite citadels, caused much trouble throughout the time of the Judges. (GotQuestions.org) Canaanite - 76x in 73v - Gen. 10:18; Gen. 12:6; Gen. 13:7; Gen. 15:21; Gen. 24:3; Gen. 24:37; Gen. 28:1; Gen. 28:6; Gen. 28:8; Gen. 34:30; Gen. 38:2; Gen. 46:10; Gen. 50:11; Exod. 3:8; Exod. 3:17; Exod. 6:15; Exod. 13:5; Exod. 13:11; Exod. 23:23; Exod. 23:28; Exod. 33:2; Exod. 34:11; Num. 13:29; Num. 14:25; Num. 14:43; Num. 14:45; Num. 21:1; Num. 21:3; Num. 33:40; Deut. 1:7; Deut. 7:1; Deut. 11:30; Deut. 20:17; Jos. 3:10; Jos. 5:1; Jos. 7:9; Jos. 9:1; Jos. 11:3; Jos. 12:8; Jos. 13:3; Jos. 13:4; Jos. 16:10; Jos. 17:12; Jos. 17:13; Jos. 17:16; Jos. 17:18; Jos. 24:11; Jdg. 1:1; Jdg. 1:3; Jdg. 1:4; Jdg. 1:5; Jdg. 1:9; Jdg. 1:10; Jdg. 1:17; Jdg. 1:27; Jdg. 1:28; Jdg. 1:29; Jdg. 1:30; Jdg. 1:32; Jdg. 1:33; Jdg. 3:3; Jdg. 3:5; Jdg. 4:23; Jdg. 4:24; 2 Sam. 24:7; 1 Ki. 9:16; 1 Chr. 2:3; Ezr. 9:1; Neh. 9:8; Neh. 9:24; Ezek. 16:3; Zech. 14:21; Matt. 15:22 George Bush - Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 5 1. And it came to pass, &c. As this verse is much more intimately related to what goes before than to what follows, it would probably have been better to have joined it to the preceding chapter. The present would then have commenced with an entirely new subject. All the kings of the Amorites—and of the Canaanites. As the whole land of Canaan was of comparatively small extent, the several nations, as they are called, which inhabited it, must have been mere clans or hordes, and what are termed their kings nothing more than petty chieftains, ruling over territories scarcely larger than the counties in many of the states of the American union. The term king, in modern usage, conveys the idea of a power and dominion altogether more extensive than was possessed by these petty potentates. The Amorites and the Canaanites here mentioned probably stand for the whole of the devoted nations, they being specified on account of their superiority to the rest in numbers, power, and courage. The nation of the Amorites occupied both sides of the Jordan; two of their kings, Sihon and Og, had already been slain on the eastern side, Deut. 4:46, 47. Which were by the sea. The Mediterranean sea; along the coasts of which the Canaanitish tribes, properly so called, were spread. This region was afterwards known by the name of Phoenicia, of which Tyre and Sidon were the principal cities. On this account the same person who is called ‘a woman of Canaan’ by Matthew, 15:22, is called by Luke, 7:26,’ a Syro-Phœnician.’ Had dried up the waters of Jordan. Which they regarded as the natural bulwark of their country, one too strong for the enemy to break through, especially during the season of its annual overflow. It should seem that the Canaanites, if they had acted according to the rules of war, would have opposed the Israelites in their passage. But the destruction of Pharaoh at the Red Sea, some time before, and the recent victories over Sihon and Og, had spread such a panic through the land, that they did not dare to avail themselves of any supposed advantage, lest they should perish after their example. The event, indeed, shows how vain any attempt on their part would have been. It shows, too, that when the measure of any people’s iniquities is full, they shall in no wise escape the vengeance of God. Whatever obstacles may appear to lie in the way, and whatever barrier an ungodly world may have, or think they have, for their defence, God will surely make a way for his indignation. Opposing myriads shall be only as the stubble before the fire of his wrath. Until we were passed over. These words intimate the writer to have been one of the company. Their heart melted. In modern language we read of the heart melting with pity and being dissolved with grief. The sacred writers, on this and similar occasions, apply the same metaphor, with equal truth and beauty, to the operation of fear and terror. Neither was there spirit in them any more. The special providence of God is to be recognized in the panic which fell upon these nations at this particular juncture. It gave the Israelites just the opportunity they required, to administer the rite of circumcision, and to keep the Passover securely and without disturbance. Had it been otherwise, and had the Canaanites attacked them, as Simeon and Levi did the Shechemites when they were sore, they would Joshua 5:2 At that time the LORD said to Joshua, "Make for yourself flint knives and circumcise again the sons of Israel the second time." circumcise: Ge 17:10-14 De 10:16 30:6 Ro 2:29 4:11 Col 2:11 Joshua 5 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Genesis 17:7 “I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants after you. 8 “I will give to you and to your descendants after you, the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.” 9 God said further to Abraham, “Now as for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations. 10 “This is My covenant, which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 “And you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and you. 12 “And every male among you who is eight days old shall be circumcised throughout your generations, a servant who is born in the house or who is bought with money from any foreigner, who is not of your descendants. 13 “A servant who is born in your house or who is bought with your money shall surely be circumcised; thus shall My covenant be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. 14 “But an uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.” Leviticus 12:3 (see note) ‘On the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. Irving Jensen outlines chapter 5 which he entitles SPIRITUAL PREPARATION (Joshua 5:2–15) The Token of Circumcision: Restoration to covenant favor (Joshua 5:2–9) The Token of Blood: Anticipation of deliverance (Joshua 5:10) The Token of Fruit: Appropriation of the blessings (Joshua 5:11–12) The Token of a Sword: Revelation of a holy war (Joshua 5:13–15) Ancient Flint Knife CARRYING OUT THE COVENANT OBLIGATION OF CIRCUMCISION Jensen explains "Israel was not yet fully prepared to enter into battle on the soil of Canaan. The unfinished business was spiritual in character. Partly, it involved the observance of Moses’ law (cf. Joshua 1:7–8); wholly, it was Israel’s heart relationship to Jehovah. This chapter records four experiences which God brought to Joshua and the people, each one centered about a token, or symbol: circumcision, blood, fruit, and a sword." At that time - When? After the Now. Always be alert to the time phrases which can help see progression of the narrative or text. One would have thought from a human perspective this was the strategic moment to strike the fearful enemy. But God's ways are not man's ways as He stated in Isaiah "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9) THOUGHT - What is a principle we can extract from this truth? Man wants to DO, but God wants us to BE! He is more interested in consecration. Consecration must precede conquest. So much of our Christian working is "doing" which is too often deficient in "being." God is more interested in who we are then in what we do. He knows that if we give attention to the "being", the "doing" will follow. As a corollary when God takes the measure of a man, he does not put a tape measure around their head to see how much they know, but He puts it (figuratively speaking of course) around their heart to see how much they will obey. Don Anderson adds that "God is never in a hurry. God's delays are always infinitely more profitable than our haste . We are always in a fever to do something for God and have forgotten that the first thing God wants is that we should be something for Him. In this time of delay God had lessons to teach His people which were going to decide all the future course of warfare in the land." (Quoting from Alan Redpath - Victorious Christian Living) Anderson adds that "There is a principle of Scripture that we can verify on many occasions, and that i s, when we are most eager to act is when we'll make the most pitiful mistakes." Donald Campbell adds that God "is never in a hurry, although His children sometimes are. If you feel pressured to make a decision or to act immediately in a situation, without time to consult the Lord about it, you need to resist the pressure. God does not ask you to reach decisions without adequate opportunity for prayer and consideration." (No Time for Neutrality) The LORD said to Joshua - This divine revelation is given to Joshua alone, but he will pass on God's instructions to the people, in this way functioning like an intermediary or mediator, much as did his predecessor Moses. As alluded to above, it is very likely that the military leaders under Joshua were encouraging him to "strike while the iron was hot!" The triumphant conquest of the land was to be the victory of God, not the victory of Israel or of Joshua. It was neither the expertise of the Israelite army nor the tremulous emotions of the enemy that would give Israel the victory, but the presence of the Lord of Hosts, the almighty God. In this section we see that God instructs Joshua on three steps that were necessary before He would give His people victory over their adversaries (1). Renewing the Lord’s covenant (Joshua 5:1-9). (2) Remembering the Lord’s goodness (Joshua 5:10-12). (3). Reaffirming the Lord’s presence (Joshua 5:13-15) The message of the Lord to Joshua is to do something to the Israelites before he does anything to the enemy. Make for yourself flint knives Why did God command this ritual at this time? In fact, since circumcision had been clearly commanded in Genesis 17, why would they need to perform it? Clearly, Israel had not performed it on their children born in the 40 years in the wilderness! They had become apathetic regarding circumcision which was to have been a reminder of Israel's covenant relationship with God. The new generation was now at the inception of receiving their inheritance from God, but it was important to Yahweh that they renew their covenant relationship with Him. If during their wilderness journey Israel was tempted to sin, how much more they would be tempted now that they were living in the land! They would be surrounded by pagan people with immoral religious practices, and they would be tempted to compromise with their enemies. Later, this is exactly what future generations did, because they forgot the true meaning of circumcision. The physical operation on the body was ultimately always meant to be a symbol of a spiritual operation on one's heart. As Moses instructed the second generation of Israelites "Circumcise then your heart, and stiffen your neck no more.” (Dt 10:16+). No amount of external surgery can change the inner person. It’s when we repent and turn to God for help that He changes our hearts and make us love and obey Him from a new heart. (Ro 2:25-29+) Sadly over the succeeding years, the Jews came to trust in the external mark of the covenant and not in the God of the covenant who wanted to make them a holy people (see Acts 7:51+). They thought that as long as they were God’s covenant people, as long as they had the physical sign, they could live just as they pleased! Moses warned them about this sin (Dt 30:6+), and so did the prophets (Jer 4:4). When John the Baptist called them to repent, the Jewish spiritual leaders said, “We have Abraham as our father” (Mt 3:9+). They were not unlike many today who feel sure they are saved and are going to heaven because they have been baptized, confirmed, were raised in a Christian family, go to church regularly, etc. As good as these religious activities can be, they must never be allowed to become substitutes for genuine faith in Jesus Christ. TSK on flint knives - (see Wikipedia) Before the use of iron was common, all the nations of the earth had their edge tools made of stones, flints, etc. Our ancestors had their arrows and spearheads made of flint; which are frequently turned up by the plough. And even when iron became more common, stone knives seem to have been preferred for making incisions in the human body. The Egyptians used such to open the bodies for embalming; and the tribe of Alnajab in Ethiopia, who follow the Mosaic institution, perform the rite of circumcision, according to Ludolf, {cultris lapidibus,} with knives made of stone. And circumcise again the sons of Israel (all less than 40 yo) the second time - Circumcision was the "badge" of the Abrahamic Covenant, the covenant which gave Israel the land. At the time of the Exodus, circumcision was an absolute requirement for all males who would keep the Passover (Ex 12:44, 48) and now that Israel was preparing for another Passover (Joshua 5:10-12). Israel has just entered the land which is a part of the promise in the Abrahamic Covenant, but the majority of Israelites (presumably Joshua and Caleb had been circumcised) no longer bear the mark of the Abrahamic Covenant in their flesh . So this matter must be taken care of first before they can go on to conquest. Irving Jensen has an interesting explanation of why there had been no circumcisions in the wilderness - The covenant promise of God to Israel had been temporarily suspended during the nearly forty years’ judgment of exclusion from Canaan because of Israel’s sin. Since the judgment was a national one, everyone, including young people and babies born in the wilderness, had to live in the environment of a punished nation. Until the ban would be lifted, the rite of circumcision, which was the token of God’s covenant between Himself and His people (Gen. 17:11), was purposeless, and so the rite was discontinued (5:4–6) Now that the ban was officially lifted, on Israel’s entrance into Canaan, the day to renew the rite and restore the nation to positional relationship of covenant favor had arrived. And so Joshua, at the command of God, had all the children of Israel circumcised. Dale Ralph Davis offers another view of why circumcision ceased in the wilderness wanderings - These verses explain, in part, why the present generation of Israel had to be circumcised (vv. 4-5); they do not directly explain why they had not been circumcised before this time. The closest clue comes in verse 6—the wilderness period was the time of unbelief and judgment (see Nu 14), a time for the old Israel to die and perish. The original exodus generation doomed themselves to wander forty years and perish in the wilderness (Num. 14:34-35). Some, therefore, infer that the sign of circumcision was likely withdrawn (by God) during the wilderness period as a sign of Yahweh's displeasure and that Israel was (as it were) on probation. But this inference, though credible, goes a bit beyond the text and we cannot be sure that circumcision was withheld by divine direction. However, in light of Genesis 17:14, one can say that this lack of circumcision was a sign that Israel was 'cut off' (because of their unbelief?). They were God's people and yet they were not; they remained objects of God's care and yet possessed no sign to show they were his. These are brief words for a complex issue, but they must suffice. (Focus on the Bible Commentary – Joshua: No Falling Words) H A
Josué 5
Vernon McGee - All of this has a spiritual message for us today. The old nature is no good. The old nature cannot inherit spiritual blessing. The old nature cannot even enjoy spiritual blessing. The old nature will not like Canaan, nor anything in the heavenlies. In Galatians 5:17 Paul says, “For the flesh lusteth [which is literally wars] against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” Paul found that there was no good in the old nature. He also discovered that there was no power in the new nature (see Rom. 7). The circumcision of the children of Israel recognized these facts. (Joshua 5) George Bush - Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 5 4. And this is the cause, &c. The omission in this case was probably with the Divine connivance, as the people knew not the precise times when they were to march, and a removal immediately after the operation might have been dangerous to tender infants. Moreover, as one design of this rite was to distinguish the Israelites from all other people, it was not so necessary to be administered while they were secluded from the world, for forty years in the wilderness. This instance, however, is not to be pleaded as authorizing the neglect or postponement of any Divine ordinance in common circumstances. Joshua 5:5 For all the people who came out were circumcised, but all the people who were born in the wilderness along the way as they came out of Egypt had not been circumcised. had not been circumcised. De 12:8,9 Ho 6:6,7 Mt 12:7 Ro 2:26 1Co 7:19 Ga 5:6 6:15 Joshua 5 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries For - The explanation continues as to why Joshua had to circumcise them. All the people who came out were circumcised, but all the people who were born in the wilderness along the way as they came out of Egypt had not been circumcised - The first generation parents disobeyed God's command to circumcise every male child. Genesis 17:10-14 This is My covenant, which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 “And you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and you. 12 “And every male among you who is eight days old shall be circumcised throughout your generations, a servant who is born in the house or who is bought with money from any foreigner, who is not of your descendants. 13 “A servant who is born in your house or who is bought with your money shall surely be circumcised; thus shall My covenant be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. 14 “But an uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.” Dale Ralph Davis offers a pithy comment - Hear the warning: They were circumcised but 'they did not listen to the voice of Yahweh'. You can have all the marks of the people of God but lack the response of the people of God. You can receive the sacrament but have no faith. Paul is right—you can experience the exodus, eat the manna, drink the water from the rock, and remain in unbelief (1Co 10:1-5+). You may hold membership among God's flock but have no relationship with the Shepherd. You may live in the King's country but reject His sovereignty. (Focus on the Bible Commentary – Joshua: No Falling Words) Joshua 5:6 For the sons of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, until all the nation, that is, the men of war who came out of Egypt, perished because they did not listen to the voice of the LORD, to whom the LORD had sworn that He would not let them see the land which the LORD had sworn to their fathers to give us, a land flowing with milk and honey. walked: Nu 14:32-34 De 1:3, 2:7,14 8:4 Ps 95:10,11 Jer 2:2 to whom the LORD had sworn that Nu 14:23 Heb 3:11 a land flowing with milk and honey: Ex 3:8,17 Eze 20:6,15 Joe 3:18 Joshua 5 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Numbers 14:22-23+ Surely all the men who have seen My glory and My signs which I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness, yet have put Me to the test these ten times and have not listened to My voice, 23 shall by no means see the land which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who spurned Me see it. Numbers 14:32-34+ (GOD'S PUNISHMENT ANNOUNCED) ‘But as for you, your corpses will fall in this wilderness. 33‘Your sons shall be shepherds for forty years in the wilderness, and they will suffer for your unfaithfulness, until your corpses lie in the wilderness. 34‘According to the number of days which you spied out the land, forty days, for every day you shall bear your guilt a year, even forty years, and you will know My opposition. Psalm 95:10; 11 “For forty years I loathed that generation, And said they are a people who err in their heart, And they do not know My ways. 11 “Therefore I swore in My anger, Truly they shall not enter into My rest.” Exodus 32:13+ (GOD'S COVENANT PROMISE OF THE LAND) “Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, Your servants to whom You swore by Yourself (RECALL ABRAM WAS ASLEEP - ONLY GOD WALKED THROUGH THE DEAD ANIMALS! - Ge 15:17-18+), and said to them, ‘I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heavens, and all this land of which I have spoken I will give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it forever.’” FORTY YEARS OF PERISHING BECAUSE OF A "MOMENT" OF DISOBEDIENCE! For the sons of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, until all the nation, that is, the men of war who came out of Egypt (cf Dt 2:14-16+), perished (tamam) because they did not listen to the voice of the LORD, to whom the LORD had sworn that He would not let them see the land which the LORD had sworn to their fathers to give us, a land flowing with milk and honey - The the men of war refers to "all the men old enough to fight when they left Egypt" (NET) Note that did not listen does not mean they did not hear for not only had they heard His voice at Sinai (Dt 5:4, 24+), every time Moses uttered a "thus saith the LORD" statement, they in effect heard a Word from the LORD. The problem was not stopped up ears but stiff necks and hard hearts. They heard but did not believe and thus they disobeyed (Lxx renders did not listen with apeitheo meaning to disbelieve and be disobedient). They heard but willfully refused to obey. The Lxx adds an interesting twist describing these men as aperitmetos which means "uncircumcised." However we know this first generation was physically circumcised (Josh 5:5), so the figurative sense is intended = uncircumcised in hearts and ears, i.e. stubborn, obstinate people (cf Acts 7.51+ which uses aperitmetos) - Notice they do not even get to see the land, something even Moses was allowed to do even though he could not enter. (Dt 32:49-52+). The phrase LORD had sworn to their fathers to give us, refers to the everlasting land grant to Israel as promised to the fathers in the Abrahamic Covenant (Abraham and the other "fathers" Isaac and Jacob). Note also the two mentions of had sworn, the first negative, the second positive. The point is clear, that God's promise to Israel endures even though many in Israel were unfaithful. And by the way, that principle still applies. The majority of Israel back in the land is there in unbelief and yet God's promised oath still holds true, awaiting the return of the Messiah, when it will finally and fully be consummated, regardless of who those who teach the non-Biblical beliefs of replacement theology / supersessionism, a New Israel or a spiritual Israel. Listen to Yahweh's declaration regarding the promised land "“I will give to you and to your descendants after you, the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession (HOW LONG?); and I will be their God.” (Ge 17:8) You can mark it down that God is NOT FINISHED WITH THE LITERAL NATION OF ISRAEL! (See Are Israel and the church the same thing? Does God still have a plan for Israel? | GotQuestions.org) Davis - Yahweh does fulfil his promises in spite of human unbelief. Unbelief may forfeit the benefits of the covenant promise but it cannot negate the promise. . (Focus on the Bible Commentary – Joshua: No Falling Words) Land flowing with milk and honey - this is the only use of this description in Joshua - it occurs 19x in the OT - Exod. 3:8; Exod. 3:17; Exod. 13:5; Exod. 33:3; Lev. 20:24; Num. 14:8; Num. 16:13; Num. 16:14; Deut. 6:3; Deut. 11:9; Deut. 26:9; Deut. 26:15; Deut. 27:3; Deut. 31:20; Jos. 5:6; Jer. 11:5; Jer. 32:22; Ezek. 20:6; Ezek. 20:15 George Bush - Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 5 6. Walked forty years. Led for that time a wandering, unsettled life. Till the people—were consumed. Heb. עד כי תם חגוי ad ki tōm haggoi. It is not a little remarkable that the word here rendered people (גוי) is not the usual term employed to denote the peculiar people, but that which almost invariably designates the Gentiles, or heathen, in contradistinction from the race of Israel. We know of no reason for its adoption here, unless it be to intimate, that they had, by their deportment, rendered themselves unworthy the name and privileges of Israelites. They were doubtless those of whom it is elsewhere said, that ‘their carcases fell in the wilderness,’ a doom which befell them by reason of their rebellion. Would not show them. Heb. הראותם harothâm, cause to see, i. e. would not permit them to enjoy. Thus Eccles. 2:24, ‘There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy (Heb. הראה את נפשו herâh eth naphshō, cause his soul to see) good in his labor.’ Ps. 4:6, ‘Who will show us any good?’ (Heb. מי יראנו mi yarënu, who will cause us to see, i. e. to enjoy, to have the fruition of good). Joshua 5:7 Their children whom He raised up in their place, Joshua circumcised; for they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them along the way. their children: Nu 14:31 De 1:39 Joshua 5 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Numbers 14:31+ ‘Your children, however, whom you said would become a prey–I will bring them in, and they will know the land which you have rejected. Deuteronomy 1:39+ ‘Moreover, your little ones who you said would become a prey, and your sons, who this day have no knowledge of good or evil, shall enter there, and I will give it to them and they shall possess it. JOSHUA CIRCUMCISED THE UNCIRCUMCISED Their children whom He raised up in their place, Joshua circumcised; for they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them along the way - Note the phrase whom He raised up signifying these were God's work. In their place is a sad phrase for their disobedience resulted in their disqualification. THOUGHT - If you refuse God's call on your life, you will forever regret it. And you will not frustrate God's plan, for He will raise up someone in your place! I know a man who knew he had the call of God to become a pastor but instead he choose to work as a NASA engineer -- and he regretted his decision in his latter years. I know another man who clearly was being called to pastor and instead he went with Dell computers in the early years. I lost track of him but undoubtedly he became worldly rich but missed the opportunity of a lifetime to serve God! Riches drew him away from God's calling. There is another reason of course that God might have to raise up someone in your or my place - DISQUALIFICATION! Paul explains in 1 Cor 9:24-27+ writing Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run (present imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) n such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. Note the emphasis by repetition (Joshua 5:5,7) on the failure of the wilderness generation to be circumcised. George Bush - Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 5 7. Their children whom he raised up in their stead. Or, Heb. הקים hëkim, caused to stand, made to survive, preserved. The writer’s design seems to be, to state a contrast in the lot of the fathers and the children, using the term ‘raised up,’ in opposition to ‘consumed,’ in the preceding verse, The one he destroyed for their rebellion, the other he graciously preserved alive, established, caused to subsist. See Note on Ex. 9:16, where this sense of the term is amply confirmed. The words contain a fulfilment of the promise given in connexion with the threatening, Num. 14:29–31. Joshua 5:8 Now when they had finished circumcising all the nation, they remained in their places in the camp until they were healed. until they were healed: Ge 34:25 Joshua 5 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries CIRCUMCISED REMAIN CAMPED TO HEAL FROM CIRCUMCISION Now when they had finished circumcising all the nation, they remained in their places in the camp until they were healed - The verb translated "healed" usually means "live." Parallel uses of the verb in Deut. 30:6 and Hos. 6:1, 2 indicate the spiritual significance of the events. Deuteronomy 30:6 “Moreover the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live. Hosea 6:1; 2 “Come, let us return to the LORD. For He has torn us, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bandage us. 6:2 “He will revive us after two days; He will raise us up on the third day, That we may live before Him. George Bush - Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 5 8. Till they were whole. Till they were healed. Heb. עד היותם ad hayothâm, until they lived. The original is, in repeated instances, used to signify being restored to health. Thus Num. 21:8, ‘Every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live,’ i. e. be recovered. 2 Kings 8:8, ‘shall I recover of this disease?’ Heb. ‘shall I live?’ Is. 38:21, ‘Lay it for a plaster on the boil, and he shall recover;’ Heb. ‘shall live’. The particle ‘till’ does not imply that they abode in their tents no longer than during the time of their recovery; for they remained there while keeping the Passover. The same remark is to be made of the import of this word in numerous other instances. Joshua 5:9 Then the LORD said to Joshua, "Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you." So the name of that place is called Gilgal to this day. rolled away: Jos 24:14 Ge 34:14 Lev 24:14 1Sa 14:6 17:26,36 Ps 119:39 Jer 9:25 Eze 20:7,8 23:3,8 Eph 2:11,12 Gilgal: That is, rolling. Jos 4:19 Joshua 5 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passage: Exodus 32:12+ (REPROACH OF EGYPT) “Why should the Egyptians speak, saying, ‘With evil intent He brought them out to kill them in the mountains and to destroy them from the face of the earth’? Turn from Your burning anger and change Your mind about doing harm to Your people. Numbers 14:13-16+ (REPROACH OF EGYPT) But Moses said to the LORD, “Then the Egyptians will hear of it, for by Your strength You brought up this people from their midst, 14 and they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land. They have heard that You, O LORD, are in the midst of this people, for You, O LORD, are seen eye to eye, while Your cloud stands over them; and You go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night. 15 “Now if You slay this people as one man, then the nations who have heard of Your fame will say, 16 ‘Because the LORD could not bring this people into the land which He promised them by oath, therefore He slaughtered them in the wilderness.’ Deuteronomy 9:28+ (REPROACH OF EGYPT) ‘Otherwise the land from which You brought us (EGYPT) may say, “Because the LORD was not able to bring them into the land which He had promised them and because He hated them He has brought them out to slay them in the wilderness.” Proposed Location of Gilgal Near Jericho REPROACH ROLLED AWAY Then - Then marks progression in a narrative and in this case is especially significant for it marks the Lord's response to Israel's obedience. The LORD said to Joshua, "Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you." Gilgal is similar to the Hebrew galal which means “to roll.” The taunts were leveled by the Egyptians at the Israelites for their failure to gain their Promised Land when Israel failed to trust God at Kadesh Barnea . That reproach had now been rolled away (Gilgal = "the rolling"). When Aaron made the golden calf at Mt. Sinai and the people broke God’s law, God threatened to destroy them and make a new nation from Moses. But Moses argued that God would lose glory if He did that, because the Egyptians would only say that God delivered them in order to kill them (Ex 32:1-12). At Kadesh Barnea Moses used the same appeal when God said He would destroy Israel (Nu 14:11-14). Moses didn’t want the Egyptians to spread the word that the God of Israel couldn’t finish what He had started. Lange's Commentary has an interesting note - Today have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you! This word is fulfilled, (1.) at Gilgal; (2.) much more gloriously at Golgotha.--(1) The reproach of Egypt--(2) sin and its misery. So the name of that place is called Gilgal to this day - Note again the fact that names in the OT are often significant and often are "explained" in the immediate context as in this case. Paul Enns - Two basic thoughts are involved in the phrase "reproach of Egypt." (1) God had withheld His covenant blessings from the generation of rebels that died in the desert. (2) The Egyptians derided Israel, suggesting God had taken them into the desert in order to slay them (Exod. 32:12). When the Israelites obeyed the command to be circumcised, God removed from them the reproach of Egypt. The people again stood under the blessing of God, who promised to give them the land as their inheritance. In recognition of this significant event, the place was named Gilgal, meaning "rolling," to signify that God rolled away the reproach of Egypt from Israel there. (Joshua, Bible Study Commentary:) Alan Redpath applies Gilgal - Do you know what that word "Gilgal" means? It means that "the reproach has been rolled away." I want to say here that any believer, man or woman, boy or girl, living in the wilderness of carnality and spiritual defeat and failure, is a reproach (ED: See Pr 14:34). But if we have established a bridgehead, and have crossed over Jordan, the reproach has been rolled away, and Gilgal is the place of resurrection (ED: AND "RESURRECTION POWER" - May Paul's prayer be true in your life dear believer. Amen - Eph 1:18-19+). (Victorious Christian Living) Reproach (Lxx translates with oneidismos)(02781) cherpah means scorn, disgrace, contempt (referring to a state of dishonor and low status), shame. It refers to the casting of blame or scorn on someone. Reproach in English describes censure mingled with contempt or derision. It expresses rebuke or disapproval. As an aside on the cross Christ bore the shame of our sin. Followers of Jesus are called to bear the reproach of Christ and to suffer for His name (2Co 12:10; 1Pe 4:14). Woodrow Kroll Rolled Away According to one source, Americans spend $50 million a year on subliminal message tapes designed to help them do everything from improve their self-image to learn a foreign language. Unfortunately, the National Research Council has concluded that subliminal messages simply don't work. Despite all the hype to the contrary, these tapes don't deliver the life-transforming changes they promise. But there is one source who always delivers on His promises--God. As the Israelites prepared to enter the Promised Land, they needed to renew their covenant with God. This relationship required that circumcision be performed as a sign of the covenant. Those Israelites who left Egypt had been circumcised, but those males born during the wilderness wandering had not (Joshua 5:4-5). It was now time for the younger generation to take their stand and have the "reproach of Egypt" rolled away. Circumcision is no longer a sign of the covenant relationship with God. When Jesus died on the cross, the outward sign of circumcision was replaced with the inner presence of the Holy Spirit. He is the fulfillment of the promise in Ezekiel: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh" (Ezek. 36:26). When the Holy Spirit comes in, the old life is rolled away and we become "a new creation" in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17). This experience can be yours as well. If you are still walking in your old life, why not receive Christ today and let Him roll your sins away? The reproach of the past can be replaced with a hope for the future. Christ doesn't improve you; He transforms you George Bush - Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 5 9. This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt. It has been much disputed by commentators what is meant by ‘the reproach of Egypt.’ We take the expression, in a very full sense, to mean the reproach connected with Egypt, in whatever way, whether actively or passively. (1) Actively; inasmuch as the Israelites themselves, while in the wilderness, did virtually reproach the Most High in respect to the land of Egypt, grieving that they had left it, wishing that they had died there, charging him with leading them out thence to slay them in the desert, and proposing to appoint a leader and to return thither. The 14th chapter of Numbers details these murmuring complaints, and shows that God was exceedingly angry with the people on this account, and would have destroyed them but for the intercession of Moses. But now the guilt of that conduct was to be rolled away or pardoned, they were no longer on account of it to be kept out of possession of the promised land; and not only so, they should never have any more the least occasion or inducement to vent such groundless reproaches. By being brought into Canaan in so gracious and glorious a manner, and having every promise fulfilled to them, all occasion of complaint was for ever cut off. (2) Passively; their bondage in Egypt was, in a sense, a reproach and a disgrace to them; it would be so accounted by other nations, while it continued, and they would be disparaged by reason of it. It is probable also that the Egyptians themselves, seeing them wander so long in the wilderness, reproached and taunted them, as if brought there to be destroyed; but now, having entered Canaan in triumph, and being put in possession of all the covenanted blessings promised to the seed of Abraham, of which circumcision was the seal, this reproach was henceforth done away. Both the disgrace of their bondage and the contemptuous aspersions of their oppressors, should cease from this time forward for ever. Wherefore the name of the place is called Gilgal unto this day. That is, ‘rolling,’ ‘rolling away.’ Gilgal was situated between Jericho and the river Jordan, about one mile and a half, or two miles, from the former, and six from the latter. Nothing of this city now remains; but travellers are shown a pile of stones denominated Galgala, which, though at a considerable distance from the site of the ancient Gilgal, is supposed by some to be the monument erected by Joshua. The clause ‘unto this day,’ sufficiently indicates that the events related in the book of Joshua, or at least in this part of it, were not consigned to writing immediately upon their occurrence, but after the lapse of some considerable time. Joshua 5:10 While the sons of Israel camped at Gilgal they observed the Passover on the evening of the fourteenth day of the month on the desert plains of Jericho. observed the Passover: Ex 12:3,6,7-16 Nu 9:1-5 - Other historical Passovers - 2Chr 30:15:15; Ezra 6:19-22; Lk 22:7-14 Joshua 5 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Exodus 12:24-25 (PASSOVER PRESCRIBED WHEN PROMISED LAND ENTERED) “And you shall observe this event as an ordinance for you and your children forever. 25 “When you enter the land which the LORD will give you, as He has promised, you shall observe this rite. Exodus 12:48 (CIRCUMCISION MUST PRECEDE PASSOVER) “But if a stranger sojourns with you, and celebrates the Passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near to celebrate it; and he shall be like a native of the land. But no uncircumcised person may eat of it. ISRAEL'S THIRD PASSOVER While the sons of Israel camped at Gilgal - Israel was forced to wait on the Lord's timing. But even though they were waiting, they were not passive, for during this waiting period they carried out circumcision which led to communion in celebrating Passover. THOUGHT - Waiting is one of the most difficult things we often have to do because our human tendency is to "rush in and take Jericho" (whatever that "Jericho" is in our life). Isaiah reminds us that "Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength (MORE LITERALLY EXCHANGE STRENGTH [Lxx - allasso] - OURS FOR HIS); They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary." (Isa 40:31+) Gilgal is an important stop and God often puts a "Gilgal" in our life, that we might remember Christ's sacrifice and the power of His precious blood (1Cor 1:18+). They observed the Passover on the evening of the fourteenth day of the month on the desert plains of Jericho - Israel's first Passover occurred 40 years earlier when Yahweh redeemed Israel from Egyptian bondage (Ex 12:1-20+). Israel's second Passover was celebrated at Mt. Sinai, before leaving for Kadesh Barnea, Moses recording "They observed the Passover in the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, at twilight, in the wilderness of Sinai; according to all that the LORD had commanded Moses, so the sons of Israel did." (Nu 9:5+, cf Nu 9:1-14). Note the time was on the evening, just as prescribed in Ex 12:6 "‘You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month, then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel is to kill it at twilight (same Hebrew word - ereb = evening, sunset) Passover had not been celebrated at any time during their years of wilderness wandering. Note that no male could participate in the annual Feast of the Passover unless he had been circumcised (Ex 12:43, 44, 48+). There is thus another reason for Joshua circumcising Israel at this time. Passover would also serve as a poignant reminder that God had delivered Israel from the strong hand of the Egyptians, and would serve as encouragement that He could and would now do the same thing with the heavily fortified city of Jericho. It would have been easy for the Israelites to look at Jericho "fortified to heaven," which might demoralize and discourage them (see Dt 1:28+, contrast the promise in Dt 9:1+). And so we see that Circumcision and Passover would both serve to draw Israel's eyes back to Yahweh and be reminded of His immutable promises to fight for them and give them the land. THOUGHT - We all face problems "fortified to heaven" (so to speak) but the key is how do we respond - do we fix our eyes on the problem that looks like a "fortress" or do we fix (see aphorao) our eyes on Jesus (Heb 12:2+), our "Joshua" (Iesous), Who will give us the victory. And even if He does not remove the problem, He is faithful (dependable, trustworthy, reliable) and promises to show us "the way of escape also, so that we will be able to endure it." (1Co 10:13+) THOUGHT - Even as no uncircumscribed person could eat the Passover, no person who has not been "circumcised" in heart (Col 2:11+) can eat the Lord's Supper, Jesus' replacement for the rite of Passover. It is sad and a loss to a believer who does not partake of the Lord's Supper, sometime even for years. As Jesus commanded "This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do (present imperative ) this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." (1Co 11:25b+) How often to you remember Christ in communion? Notice the phrase the desert plains of Jericho which signifies that not only are the in close proximity to Jericho, it is likely they could even see the fortified city from where they were camped (and the city could see them). Davis quips "No longer can the Egyptians crack their Hebrew jokes. Brian Harbour - If the circumcision was a reminder of who they were, the celebration of the Passover was a reminder of who God was. This was the first time this generation of Hebrews had celebrated the Passover. The Passover celebration acknowledged that they were God’s covenant people and it acknowledged that their covenant God was a God of great power. ESV Study Bible has an interesting note - The notice in Josh. 4:19 that “the people came up out of the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month” suggests a parallel; the transition from wandering in the wilderness to arrival in the land was a kind of “second exodus.” In the first exodus, the Passover preceded the crossing of the Red Sea. In this “second exodus,” it followed the crossing of the Jordan.
Josué 5
Vernon McGee - Manna was a picture of Christ we are told in the New Testament. Jesus said, “Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world” (John 6:49–51). Manna represents Christ in His death. He is the One who came down to this earth “to give his life a ransom for many.”(Joshua 5) Related Resources: Baker's Evangelical Dictionary Manna Easton's Bible Dictionary Manna Fausset Bible Dictionary Manna Holman Bible Dictionary Manna Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible Manna