Last time we noted that He had required Israel to establish a 12 stone memorial to remind them and the generations to come of His mighty power displayed in parting the waters of the Jordan River (Josh. 4:19-24). Now as we come to chapter 5 we see the Lord reinstating two important rites or ceremonies, circumcision and Passover.
The rite of circumcision would serve to remind Israel that they were His covenant people and heirs of the unconditional promise God made to Abraham. The Passover ceremony would serve to remind them of His love and grace in delivering them out of the bondage in Egypt.
In reinstating these two important Old Testament ordinances the Lord was also spiritually preparing Israel for the battles that lie ahead.
1 Now it came about when all the kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan to the west, and all the kings of the Canaanites who were by the sea, 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, and there was no spirit in them any longer, because of the sons of Israel.
Verse one probably should have been a part of chapter 4 since it summarizes the effect that the crossing of the Jordan had on the Canaanites. They were already afraid of Israel and their God and the crossing of the Jordan totally demoralized them. But instead of using the Canaanite's demoralized state to attack them, Joshua stops to reinstate these Old Testament ordinances. Warren Wiersbe describes this unusual action
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 (Josh. 4:19). The events described in Joshua 5 took at least ten days, 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 (Be Strong, pp. 56).
Why reinstitute the ordinances now? Because Israel needed to be prepared. They also needed to be reminded that the victory would be God’s and God’s alone. It would be “neither the expertise of the Jewish army nor the emotions of the enemy that would give Israel the victory, but the presence and blessing of the Lord” (Be Strong, pp. 56-57).
Having established why this was the right time to reinstitute these two ordinances, let’s look at them a little closer.
The Rite of Circumcision – v.2-9
There are four things to note about Israel’s circumcision.
(1) The Command to Restore Circumcision – v.2-3
2 At that time the LORD said to Joshua, "Make for yourself flint knives and circumcise again the sons of Israel the second time." 3 So Joshua made himself flint knives and circumcised the sons of Israel at Gibeath-haaraloth.
“At that time” links verse 2 with what has been said in verse 1. In other words, at the very moment when the Amorites and the Canaanites were frozen with fear God commanded Joshua to restore the rite of circumcision. It was the perfect time to do so since Israel could take the necessary time to circumcise the men and not worry about being attacked. They would have the time to heal and then ready themselves for the invasion and conquest.
Circumcision was a rite established by God that was meant to be a sign or symbol of the covenant that God made with Abraham when He called him out of Ur with a special promise. God promised He would give Abraham a land, a seed and a blessing (Genesis 12:1-3). The land was Canaan (the very land Israel was about to enter in and conquer). The seed was the nation of Israel and the blessing would ultimately be the birth of the Savior of the world.
This covenant that God made with Abraham was confirmed in Genesis 15 and in Genesis 17 God gave Abraham the sign of that covenant, circumcision (Genesis 17:9-14). Circumcision was to be a continuing rite in Israel for the purposes of reminding them of God’s promises. God commanded that every male, eight-days old, was to be circumcised.
The Lord states that Joshua was to make flint knives in order to do the circumcisions. This is an interesting command because at this point in history, Israel was in the Bronze Age and metals like bronze, copper and iron were available to them. Why then were they to make the knives out of “flint” (literally: knives of stones)?
Some have speculated that they were to use flint (a form of rock found in abundance in Canaan) for sanitary reasons. Others say they were to use flint for symbolic reasons (Exodus 4:25). The bottom line is we don’t know because we are not told why.
Interestingly, there is a tradition based on some of the old Greek translations of Joshua that state these knives were placed in the tomb of Joshua when he was buried.
The phrase "and circumcise again the sons of Israel the second time," is not to be taken to mean that these men had to be circumcised twice. Rather, it is a reference to the fact that for the second time in Israel’s history there was a national circumcision (Exodus 12:44, 48). As we will see in verse 4-5 these men had not yet been circumcised (with the exception of Joshua and Caleb).
Following the pattern that has already been established, God commands and Joshua obeys! Notice the almost identical wording in verses 2 and 3 (with the necessary changes in verb form).
2Make for yourself flint knives and circumcise again the sons of Israel
3 So Joshua made himself flint knives and circumcised the sons of Israel
Although Joshua was in charge of carrying out the circumcision, there is no way that he could have circumcised every man all by himself. There were probably hundreds of thousands of men that needed to be circumcised. Surely he was assisted by Caleb, the priests and the elders / officers.
The name given to the location indicates the enormity of the task. Gibeath-haaraloth literally means, “the hill of foreskins” (David M. Howard, Joshua: NAC, pp. 149). The name could refer to an actual hill where the circumcisions took place or it could refer to a pile of severed foreskins. Either way a graphic picture is painted here for us.
(2) The Reason the Circumcision was Needed – v.4-7a
4 And this is the reason why Joshua circumcised them: all the people who came out of Egypt who were males, all the men of war, died in the wilderness along the way, after they came out of Egypt. 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.
The reason these men had to be circumcised is because they had not yet had the experience. Those who came out of Egypt had been circumcised (v.4-5a) but those who were born after the Exodus had not been circumcised (v.5b). Why the practice of circumcision had been suspended in the wilderness is not clear although verse 6 indicates that it was related to the rebellion that occurred at Kadesh- Barnea (Numbers 13-14).
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. 7 And their children whom He raised up in their place, Joshua circumcised; for they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them along the way.
The only question that remains is whether the suspension of the rite was initiated by God or whether it was initiated by Israel as further evidence of their rebellion.
David M. Howard, for example, sees the suspension initiated by the older generation as “at best an act of negligence and at worst a defiant act of disobedience, since circumcision had been required of Israel since the time of Abraham” (Joshua: NAC, pp. 150). This view is a real possibility since circumcision is ultimately an act of faith. If there is one thing we can say about the generation who came out of Egypt, we can say that they were faithless.
On the other hand, those who see the suspension as initiated by God believe that He did so as a sign of judgment. This view makes a great deal of sense to me. Remember what circumcision did for Israel.
Through this ritual the Jews became a “marked people” because they belonged to the true and living God. This meant that they were under obligation to obey Him. The mark of the covenant reminded them that their bodies belonged to the Lord and were not to be used for sinful purposes. Israel was surrounded by nations that worshiped idols and included in their worship rituals that were sensual and degrading. The mark of the covenant reminded the Jews that they were a special people, a separated people, a holy nation (Ex. 19:5-6), and that they were to maintain purity in their marriages, their society, and their worship of God (Warren Wiersbe, Be Strong, pp. 57).
Since at Kadesh-Barnea Israel refused to believe God and enter into the land, God, as it were, withdrew His blessings on them and suspended His covenant relationship with them. Since circumcision was a sign of the covenant and since that generation was no longer His covenant people it was useless to continue the rite.
Since the judgment of God on Israel was a national one, everyone, including young people and babies born in the wilderness (including Joshua and Caleb) had to live in an environment of a punished nation. They were God’s people and yet they were not! They remained the object of God’s care and yet they possessed no sign to show that they were His. He performed wonders for them and met their everyday needs even though they were temporarily not His covenant people.
“Unbelief may forfeit the benefits of the covenant promise, but it cannot negate the promise” (Dale Ralph Davis, No Falling Words, pp. 47). That statement helps us to understand the complexities of verses 6-7 and the beauty of God’s faithfulness. If one generation will not claim by faith God’s promises, then He will “raise up” another generation that will.
Warren Wiersbe points out an important lesson here for us about religious rites.
The physical operation of the body [circumcision] was meant to be a symbol of a spiritual operation on the heart. “Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-necked no longer” (Deut. 10:16, NKJV). No amount of external surgery can change the inner person. It’s when we repent and turn to God for help that He can change our hearts and make us love and obey Him more (See Rom. 2:25-29).
But over the 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. They thought that as long as they were God’s covenant people, they could live just as they pleased! Moses warned them about this sin (Deut. 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” (Matt. 3:9, NKJV). They were not unlike some people today who feel sure they’re saved and are going to heaven because they’re baptized, confirmed, and participate regularly in Communion. As good as these religious rites can be, they must never become substitutes for faith in Jesus Christ (See Rom. 2:25-29) (Be Strong, pp. 58-59).
Dale Ralph Davis puts it this way,
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 (1 Cor. 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 (No Falling Words, pp. 46).
(3) The Response of the People – v.7b-8
7 And their children whom He raised up in their place, Joshua circumcised; for they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them along the way. 8 Now it came about when they had finished circumcising all the nation, that they remained in their places in the camp until they were healed.
The people responded with obedient faith – They submitted to the direction of the Lord. Make no mistake about it their obedience was a result of their faith. Think of where they were, camped in enemy territory, just a few miles from Jericho and now they were going to allow themselves to be temporarily disabled by this procedure. Nearly every male in the nation would be out of action.
This brings up an important point of application. Often after a victory of some kind God allows us to be tested. This was true with Elijah (1 Kings 18-19) and Jesus as well (Matthew 3:13-4:11). This point of testing is to remind us to trust in him rather than ourselves. Andrew Bonar (1810-1892) the great Scottish preacher was known to say, “Let us be as watchful after victory as before the battle” (Be Strong, pp. 59).
(4) The Results of their Obedience – v.9
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.
Because they submitted to the Lord’s commands, He “rolled away the reproach of Egypt” from them. What was the “reproach of Egypt?” There are several different views, but the one I like the most is that it refers to the ridicule of the Egyptians who concluded that because Israel was wandering for forty years in the wilderness that God had abandoned them (cf. Exodus 32:11-12; Numbers 14:11-16). Now that Israel was in the Promised Land and now that they bore His special mark, they were no longer a reproach to God.
The name “Gilgal” is a form of the Hebrew word “galal” which means “to roll.” At Gilgal, God rolled away the reproach of Egypt.
The Feast of the Passover – v.10-12
While the children of Israel were still in Egypt God instituted the feast of Passover. Passover is a special event connected with Israel’s deliverance from bondage and slavery. Since Pharaoh hardened his heart after each of the nine plagues, the tenth would involve the death of the firstborn in all of Egypt.
Exodus 11:5
5 and all the first-born in the land of Egypt shall die, from the first-born of the Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the first-born of the slave girl who is behind the millstones; all the first-born of the cattle as well.
God told Moses that the children of Israel would be spared from this judgment if they would put the blood of a lamb on the doorposts of their house.
Exodus 12:12-13
12 'For I will go through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike down all the first-born in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments-- I am the LORD. 13 'And the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live; and when I see the blood I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.
Having the blood over the doorposts would cause the angel of death to pass over that household. Israel was commanded by the Lord to observe the Feast of the Passover as a permanent ordinance and continuing reminder of His love and grace (Exodus 12:14).
The Passover Feast was to be observed every year on the fourteenth day of the first month (Exodus 12:6). Interestingly, this is exactly what Israel did as they camped at Gilgal. Joshua 5:10 reminds us of the chronology and timing of the entrance into the Promised Land.
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.
Once again, we see that Israel, led by Joshua obeyed the word of the Lord.
Unlike the rite of circumcision, we do have one post-Egypt reference to the observance of Passover while Israel was in the wilderness (Numbers 9:1-14). However, the observance occurred at Mt. Sinai BEFORE Israel left for Kadesh-Barnea. There is no other evidence that Israel commemorated the Passover at any other time during the wilderness wandering. The unbelief of the first generation had cost Israel dearly.
11 And on the day after the Passover, on that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land, unleavened cakes and parched grain. 12 And the manna ceased on the day after they had eaten some of the produce of the land, so that the sons of Israel no longer had manna, but they ate some of the yield of the land of Canaan during that year.
Three times in these two verses we are told that Israel now ate from the produce of the land. This was significant for two reasons.
(1) It meant that Israel could now observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread – v.11 (cf. Exodus 12:14-20; Lev. 23:6-8)
The Feast of Unleavened Bread always followed the Passover. It was a rite whereby Israel avoided leaven (yeast) and ate only unleavened bread. The timing of Israel’s entrance into the Promised Land was providential since it was barley harvest season. This meant that grain was readily available. Warren Wiersbe writes,
No doubt the inhabitants of the area had left grain behind when they fled to Jericho for safety; thus that grain was also available. The Lord prepared a table for His people in the presence of their enemies, and Israel didn’t have to be afraid (Ps. 23:5) (Be Strong, pp. 63-64).(2) It meant that they no longer had to eat manna – v.12
This must have been especially sweet after 40 years of manna (Exodus 16:1-35). While the Passover reminded the Jews of their redemption from Egypt, the manna was a constant reminder of their desire to go back to Egypt (Exodus 16:3). It seems it was easier for God to take the people out of Egypt than it was to take Egypt out of the people.
That’s the way it is for us sometimes. Paul had to give this reminder to the Colossians, and it is one we should do well to remember ourselves.
Colossians 3:1-11
1 If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
5 Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. 6 For it is on account of these things that the wrath of God will come, 7 and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, 10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him 11 --a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.
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