Now this is why Joshua circumcised them: All those who came out of Egypt--all the men of war--had died on the journey in the wilderness after they had left Egypt. Now this is why Joshua circumcised them:The act of circumcision was a sign of the covenant between God and Abraham ( Genesis 17:10-14). It symbolized the Israelites' commitment to God and their identity as His chosen people. Joshua's decision to circumcise the new generation underscores the importance of renewing this covenant before entering the Promised Land. This act also signifies a spiritual preparation and purification, aligning with the theme of consecration seen throughout the Old Testament. All those who came out of Egypt:
This phrase refers to the original generation of Israelites who were delivered from slavery in Egypt. Their exodus was a pivotal event in Israel's history, demonstrating God's power and faithfulness. The deliverance from Egypt is frequently referenced throughout the Bible as a foundational act of salvation and liberation (Exodus 12-14). all the men of war:
The "men of war" were those who were counted as able-bodied soldiers, typically aged 20 and above (Numbers 1:3). This demographic was crucial for the conquest of Canaan, yet the original generation failed to trust God fully, leading to their demise in the wilderness. This highlights the importance of faith and obedience in fulfilling God's promises. had died on the journey in the wilderness:
The death of the original generation in the wilderness was a direct consequence of their disobedience and lack of faith, as recorded in Numbers 14:29-35. This period of wandering lasted 40 years, during which God provided for the Israelites but also disciplined them. The wilderness journey serves as a reminder of the consequences of unbelief and the necessity of trusting in God's promises. after they had left Egypt:
The departure from Egypt marks the beginning of Israel's journey towards the Promised Land. It was a transition from slavery to freedom, yet the journey was fraught with challenges due to the people's rebellion and lack of faith. This phrase emphasizes the contrast between the initial deliverance and the subsequent failure to enter the land due to disobedience. The narrative serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of perseverance and faithfulness in the Christian walk. Persons / Places / Events 1. JoshuaThe leader of the Israelites after Moses, tasked with leading them into the Promised Land. 2. IsraelitesThe people of God who were delivered from slavery in Egypt and wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. 3. EgyptThe land of bondage from which the Israelites were delivered. 4. WildernessThe place where the Israelites wandered for 40 years due to their disobedience and lack of faith. 5. CircumcisionA covenantal sign given to Abraham and his descendants, symbolizing their unique relationship with God. Teaching Points Covenant RenewalThe act of circumcision in Joshua 5:4 represents a renewal of the covenant with God. It is a reminder of the importance of maintaining our commitments to God and His commands. Generational FaithfulnessThe new generation of Israelites needed to embrace the covenant for themselves. This teaches us the importance of passing down faith and ensuring that each generation understands and commits to God's promises. Obedience and ConsequencesThe death of the previous generation in the wilderness serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of disobedience. It encourages us to trust and obey God fully to avoid spiritual stagnation. Spiritual PreparationBefore entering the Promised Land, the Israelites needed to be spiritually prepared. This underscores the importance of spiritual readiness in our own lives before undertaking new ventures or challenges. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the act of circumcision in Joshua 5:4 symbolize a renewal of the covenant, and what are some modern-day practices that can serve as reminders of our commitment to God? 2. In what ways can we ensure that the next generation understands and embraces the faith, similar to how the new generation of Israelites had to be circumcised? 3. Reflect on a time when disobedience led to consequences in your life. How can the account of the Israelites in the wilderness inform your future decisions? 4. What steps can you take to ensure you are spiritually prepared for the challenges and opportunities God places before you? 5. How does the concept of "circumcision of the heart" in Deuteronomy 10 relate to the physical act of circumcision in Joshua 5:4, and how can this concept be applied in your daily walk with God? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 17This chapter introduces circumcision as the sign of the covenant between God and Abraham, establishing its importance for the Israelites. Exodus 12Discusses the Passover and the requirement for circumcision to partake in it, highlighting the connection between covenant obedience and participation in God's deliverance. Numbers 14Details the rebellion of the Israelites and the resulting punishment of wandering in the wilderness, explaining why the original generation did not enter the Promised Land. Deuteronomy 10Calls for the circumcision of the heart, emphasizing the need for internal transformation alongside external obedience. People Amorites, Canaanites, Israelites, JoshuaPlaces Canaan, Egypt, Gibeath-haaraloth, Gilgal, Jericho, Jordan RiverTopics Age, Along, Cause, Circumcise, Circumcised, Circumciseth, Death, Desert, Died, Egypt, Fighting-men, Forth, Joshua, Leaving, Males, Military, Overtaken, Reason, War, Waste, WildernessDictionary of Bible Themes Joshua 5:4 5204 age Joshua 5:4-8 7335 circumcision, physical Library The Captain of the Lord's Host
And he said, Nay, but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. JOSHUA v. 14. The army of Israel was just beginning a hard conflict under an untried leader. Behind them the Jordan barred their retreat, in front of them Jericho forbade their advance. Most of them had never seen a fortified city, and had no experience nor engines for a siege. So we may well suppose that many doubts and fears shook the courage of the host, as it drew around the doomed city. Their chief had his own heavy burden. …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureWhether the Rite of Circumcision was Fitting?
Objection 1: It seems that the rite of circumcision was unfitting. For circumcision, as stated above ([4474]AA[1],2), was a profession of faith. But faith is in the apprehensive power, whose operations appear mostly in the head. Therefore the sign of circumcision should have been conferred on the head rather than on the virile member. Objection 2: Further, in the sacraments we make use of such things as are in more frequent use; for instance, water, which is used for washing, and bread, which we …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether Circumcision Bestowed Sanctifying Grace?
Objection 1: It seems that circumcision did not bestow sanctifying grace. For the Apostle says (Gal. 2:21): "If justice be by the Law, then Christ died in vain," i.e. without cause. But circumcision was an obligation imposed by the Law, according to Gal. 5:3: "I testify . . . to every man circumcising himself, that ne is a debtor to do the whole law." Therefore, if justice be by circumcision, "Christ died in vain," i.e. without cause. But this cannot be allowed. Therefore circumcision did not confer …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Stones Crying Out
'For the priests which bare the ark stood in the midst of Jordan, until every thing was finished that the Lord commanded Joshua to speak unto the people, according to all that Moses commanded Joshua: and the people hasted and passed over. 11. And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over, that the ark of the Lord passed over, and the priests, in the presence of the people. 12. And the children of Reuben, and the children of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh, passed over armed …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Torments of Giant Bad Feelings
THE TORMENTS OF GIANT BAD FEELINGS I am just a bundle of feelings. I never imagined one could have such a variety of them as I am now experiencing. Most of them are bad ones and I am greatly disturbed by them. Really, I doubt whether I am sanctified, on account of the feelings I have. Do sanctified people always feel joyful? I have heard that they do, and if it is true that they do, then I am not sanctified. Big doubts take up company with me every morning, and so long as I feel as I do I do not …
Robert Lee Berry—Adventures in the Land of Canaan Gilgal, in Deuteronomy 11:30 what the Place Was.
That which is said by Moses, that "Gerizim and Ebal were over-against Gilgal," Deuteronomy 11:30, is so obscure, that it is rendered into contrary significations by interpreters. Some take it in that sense, as if it were near to Gilgal: some far off from Gilgal: the Targumists read, "before Gilgal": while, as I think, they do not touch the difficulty; which lies not so much in the signification of the word Mul, as in the ambiguity of the word Gilgal. These do all seem to understand that Gilgal which …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Of Preparation.
That a Christian ought necessarily to prepare himself before he presume to be a partaker of the holy communion, may evidently appear by five reasons:-- First, Because it is God's commandment; for if he commanded, under the pain of death, that none uncircumcised should eat the paschal lamb (Exod. xii. 48), nor any circumcised under four days preparation, how much greater preparation does he require of him that comes to receive the sacrament of his body and blood? which, as it succeeds, so doth it …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Peaceable Principles and True: Or, a Brief Answer to Mr. D'Anver's and Mr. Paul's Books against My Confession of Faith, and Differences in Judgment About Baptism no Bar to Communion.
WHEREIN THEIR SCRIPTURELESS NOTIONS ARE OVERTHROWN, AND MY PEACEABLE PRINCIPLES STILL MAINTAINED. 'Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?'--Psalm 58:1 SIR, I have received and considered your short reply to my differences in judgment about water baptism no bar to communion; and observe, that you touch not the argument at all: but rather labour what you can, and beyond what you ought, to throw odiums upon your brother for reproving you for your error, …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Fragrant Spices from the Mountains of Myrrh. "Thou Art all Fair, My Love; There is no Spot in Thee. " --Song of Solomon iv. 7.
FRAGRANT SPICES FROM THE MOUNTAINS OF MYRRH. HOW marvellous are these words! "Thou art all fair, My love; there is no spot in thee." The glorious Bridegroom is charmed with His spouse, and sings soft canticles of admiration. When the bride extols her Lord there is no wonder, for He deserves it well, and in Him there is room for praise without possibility of flattery. But does He who is wiser than Solomon condescend to praise this sunburnt Shulamite? Tis even so, for these are His own words, and were …
Charles Hadden Spurgeon—Till He Come Joshua
The book of Joshua is the natural complement of the Pentateuch. Moses is dead, but the people are on the verge of the promised land, and the story of early Israel would be incomplete, did it not record the conquest of that land and her establishment upon it. The divine purpose moves restlessly on, until it is accomplished; so "after the death of Moses, Jehovah spake to Joshua," i. 1. The book falls naturally into three divisions: (a) the conquest of Canaan (i.-xii.), (b) the settlement of the …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Joshua 5:4 NIVJoshua 5:4 NLTJoshua 5:4 ESVJoshua 5:4 NASBJoshua 5:4 KJV
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