Joshua Chapter 5
People have been saying for years that “God works in mysterious ways.” This would certainly be a good expression as we contemplate all of the events recorded in this chapter. The Israelites had just crossed into enemy territory, and it is exactly the time of year when they were supposed to celebrate the Passover. God had orchestrated the timing in such a way that they would not only set a memorial of stones at Gilgal inside the promised land, but they would also commemorate the new land with their first Passover inside the promised land. A Passover lamb would be sacrificed to worship the one true God who had rescued them from slavery in Egypt.
And just to remind them of who they belonged to, God ordered all of the men to be circumcised. This is the second time God has instructed this to be done. But the first generation that came up out of Egypt who had been circumcised had passed away. The new generation needed to be circumcised. You may have asked yourself the same question I asked. You might be wondering why God gave this instruction after they had crossed the Jordan. This obedient act of the Israelites also meant that they were now incapacitated as an army while the men healed and they were seemingly very vulnerable to enemy attacks. But God.
Let's Reflect
1. What does the Bible say about the Amorites that the people of Israel probably had no idea about? What had the Amorites heard about that God did?
2. The men of Israel had to be circumcised to be recipients of God’s covenantal promises. These men all willingly allowed the circumcision surgery to be done. They had just seen God work in moving the waters of the Jordan River. They wanted to be obedient to Him. According to verse 9, God told Joshua that this moment marked a very significant change for Israel. What was the significance?
3. Verse 8 tells us that the men were in no condition to fight any enemy armies. What did they need to do for a bit?
4. Another significant event took place at Gilgal. For the first time in the promised land, the people of Israel commemorated the Passover. On what day of the first month did this occur?
5. What two significances are mentioned about the food they ate for the Passover?
6. Joshua, as the leader of the Israelites, went ahead to scope out Jericho. He was most likely contemplating how they would conquer a city with such high walls when all they were armed with was spears, arrows and slings. Who did Joshua encounter as he looked at Jericho?
7. Joshua asked the man if he was friend or an enemy and what did the man answer?
8. What was Joshua’s response to this man’s words?
9. Joshua knowing who this was (the angel of the LORD, an early appearance of Jesus) fell to worship Him. Joshua asked what He had come to say to him. What was the response, and does it sound familiar?
Imagine being in Joshua’s shoes (no pun intended), contemplating how to lead the people in battle to a city that seemed impossible to conquer and then seeing the angel of the LORD standing before you armed with a sword!
