Joshua
6 - Chapter 5
This time we discover together lessons we can learn from Joshua chapter 5. In this chapter the people of Israel make spiritual preparation for their attack on the city of Jericho. They have crossed over the River Jordan. They are now in the Promised Land, but many enemies have to be faced. God has promised them victory, but many battles must be fought. To be ready for these conflicts the people of God have to be spiritually fit as well as ready for battle in the military sense.
In this chapter stress is laid on two religious observances that were very significant to the Israelites. They are circumcision and the Feast of Passover. We will look at the significance of these later in our talk. In this chapter we are also told that after they had celebrated Passover in their camp at Gilgal, the manna with which God had fed them during their wilderness journeys ceased. The need for it had ended for they had the produce of the land of Canaan for their food.
The chapter closes with a visitation to Joshua of an angelic being who described himself as "the commander of the armies of the Lord". He appeared for the encouragement of Joshua before his first great challenge, the attack on Jericho.
So, in this chapter we have four significant things to consider: 1. The rite of circumcision; 2. The Feast of Passover; 3. The manna; and 4. The Commander of the Lord's armies. Here, again, we will learn the fundamental secrets of success or victory in spiritual warfare. We will discover how we may enjoy the heritage that the Lord Jesus Christ has won for us.
First then, we find in the opening verses of Joshua 5 that God commands Joshua that there must be a general circumcision of all the males of Israel. We need to go back in time to understand why this was so important at this point in Israel's history. About seven hundred years before this God had spoken to Abraham and established circumcision as the mark in the flesh that there was a covenant relationship between Abraham and the Lord. Of course, it was God who initiated the covenant or solemn undertaking to be merciful. Part of God's covenant was the promise of the land of Canaan to Abraham and his descendants. You can read about this in Genesis chapter 17.
During the wilderness journeys, circumcision had not been observed. Now the infant nation of Israel was learning to exercise its faith and to re-establish its obligations under the covenant. The spiritual significance of circumcision would be known to them. More than once Moses had spoken of "circumcising the heart". In other words the physical act was meant to be a symbol of their separation to God as a people and the taking away of anything that hindered their love for Him.
The New Testament teaches that, in a spiritual sense, all believers are "circumcised" in Christ. This is not a literal circumcision for that is unique to the Jews. Paul teaches about this in Colossians 2 verse 11 where he says that our spiritual circumcision is "putting off the sinful nature". In Philippians 3 verse 3 he further points out that the marks of true spiritual circumcision are to worship God in a genuine spiritual way, to rejoice in Christ Jesus and to have no confidence in your own achievements.
Is this true of you? What are you relying on where your relationship with God is concerned? A good family name? A religious upbringing? Attendance at church? Singing in the choir? Teaching in the Sunday School? It all has to go. It all has to be cut away. You are nothing and you have nothing apart from Christ and His righteousness. Once you rely on that you are set apart to God and then you can serve Him in a right way from the heart because your sins have been dealt with at the cross.
Now we must move on and consider the significance of The Passover. The original Passover could never be repeated. That lay back in the history of Israel when they were delivered from slavery in Egypt. This feast commemorated the time when the angel of death passed over the houses of the Israelites because, at God's command, they had sacrificed a pure lamb and sprinkled its blood on their door-posts. In doing this their firstborn sons were spared from God's judgement. Because of their unbelief during their wanderings in the wilderness, the last time the Israelites had celebrated Passover was at Mount Sinai. It had not been observed for forty years while they were under the judgement of God. Now that they had set themselves apart to God again and observed the practice of circumcision they could celebrate the feast once more. There was no longer a spiritual barrier.
All this illustrates what happens when Christians meet for the Lord's Supper or Communion service. It too is held in commemoration of something that cannot be repeated - the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus for our sins. His death for us on the cross was a once for all act, never to be repeated. In 1 Corinthians 11 we read of the way in which believers are to approach this solemn time of remembrance when we "proclaim the Lord's death" as the Lamb of God Who has taken away our sins. As we come we are to examine ourselves, and even judge ourselves before we partake of the bread and wine. This means that we approach the Lord's Table having confessed our wrongdoing and renounced evil. We approach as unworthy sinners who are simply looking to the death of the Lord Jesus as the basis of our acceptance with God. As Paul puts it in 1 Corinthians 5 verse 7: "Christ our Passover lamb has been sacrificed for us".
The next item of importance in Joshua chapter 5 is the ceasing of the supply of manna with which God had fed them during all their wilderness wanderings. Now they had the corn of their new land with which to feed themselves. There was no break in God's provision. The supernatural manna gave way to the ordinary and regular. In the Christian life there are times when God carries us along and help comes unexpectedly from one quarter or another. At other times we are provided for through our own effort or that of others.
As a Christian your strength will come and you will be nourished spiritually as you feed on the Word of God and as you keep in fellowship with Him and with His people. This does not happen in some supernatural, effortless way, but by diligent use of all that God puts at your disposal. The Israelites now in the Promised Land would be fed by ploughing, sowing, tending and harvesting all that the Lord provided for them. So it is with you and me.
We come now to the fourth significant thing in Joshua chapter 5. In verses 13 to 15. Here we see "The Commander of the Lord's armies". Who was he and why did he appear? It must have been an anxious time for Joshua. Between Gilgal and Jericho lay some seven kilometres of palm groves, then the open ground in front of the city walls. What was to be done? How exactly should the city be attacked? These and many other questions must have spun around in his mind. Suddenly he looked up and saw a warrior opposite him with his sword drawn. When confusion and pressures crowd in upon us, WE need to look up. By faith we shall see that we are not alone in the battle.
But who was this person? A vision or reality? A friend or an enemy? Joshua approached and asked whether he were for the Israelites or their enemies. A remarkable answer was given: he was someone far above that approaching earthly conflict, and yet he was bound-up in it. He said, "As commander of the army of the Lord I have now come". Joshua could only fall down on his face and worship and await his command. Here was someone in human form, neither man nor angel. That much is plain because he received Joshua's worship without rebuking him.
During His earthly ministry, one and another fell down before the Lord Jesus Christ and not one was rebuked for doing so. In Hebrews 2 verse 10 He is described - in the King James Version - as "The Captain of our salvation". In Revelation 19 verses 13 and 14 we read that one whose name is "The Word of God" will lead out the armies of heaven. This is the name given to the Lord Jesus at the beginning of the Gospel of John.
Here in Joshua chapter 5 everything seems to point to an appearance of this same person to Joshua. He encourages Joshua beyond measure, reminding him of those unseen forces, the angel hosts who would be locked in conflict with the opposing hosts of darkness that energised the enemies of the Children of Israel.
Ephesians 6 verse 12 teaches that evil spiritual enemies stand against you as a Christian. That is why you need spiritual weapons and spiritual armour if you are to have victory in your Christian life. Remember that your Saviour was tempted in all points as you are but He overcame. He has triumphed over Satan and reigns Lord over all. Be encouraged to know that like Joshua, you have a mighty Captain directing you. You may face many Jerichos, spiritual battles against indifference, ungodliness, pleasures, uncleanness and self-interest. How are they to be defeated? Only as you walk humbly and spiritually in utter dependence upon your Captain. How are great victories to be won in the Christian life? It is "By my Spirit, says the Lord" in Zechariah 4 verse 6.
In the final verse of Joshua 5 we see that Joshua is told to remove his shoes because he was standing on holy ground. Joshua was in the presence of God as Moses was before the burning bush. As we come into the presence of a holy God we must cast off all impurity and seek to be clean instruments in the hand of God. Then we shall be led out to victory as He goes ahead of us. Isn't that what you want to see?