Joshua
chapter 5 shows us some of the important steps we must take in the
process of living out our faith. The chapter begins, “Now
when all the Amorite kings… and all the Canaanite kings… heard
how the Lord dried up the Jordan… their hearts melted and they no
longer had the courage to face the Israelites“.
When we take the step of faith to accept Christ as Savior,
spiritually, our enemies fear because no longer are we vulnerable and
on our own. But as we will see, there are additional depths of faith
we can experience. The first thing God commands Joshua to do is,
“Make
flint knives and circumcise the Israelites again“.
The chapter explains that all those who came out of Egypt that were
of military age, “had
died, since they had not obeyed the Lord… all of the people that
came out of Egypt had been circumcised… but all the people born in
the desert during the journey from Egypt had not“.
So God “raised
up their sons in their place and they were the ones circumcised“.
After all of the men were circumcised, “They
remained where they were camped until they were healed“.
As a military plan, this could have been disastrous. After crossing
into the Promised Land across from the powerful city of Jericho, the
entire army is incapacitated. Clearly this step of submission
required trust. These men were, of course, Israelites before this
act of obedience, but it was an outward demonstration that they
belonged to God. Just as in the Christian life, Baptism does not
make you a believer. It too is an outward expression of the inward
spiritual conversion. God declares to Joshua, “Today
I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you“.
The stain of slavery and idolatry during that time in Egypt was
removed. These people are now consecrated to God.
Next
we read, “On
the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, while camped at
Gilgal… the Israelites celebrated Passover“.
What beautiful timing. We also learn that the next day “they
ate some of the produce of the land“.
And after that, “the
manna stopped“.
Remember for forty years God had provided their daily need for food,
through this supernatural provision. Each morning they gathered the
thin flakes that had fallen like dew to provide the day’s need.
Now that they were in the land of plenty, the manna was no longer
needed. So often in our Christian life our circumstances change. As
we grow and mature we are brought to new opportunities. Babies need
milk, but older children must learn to eat the more complex food that
babies cannot digest. In 1 Corinthians 3:14 the apostle Paul
challenges those that are not maturing as, “mere
infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not
yet ready for it”.
Are you still looking for manna instead of living out your purpose?
Finally,
the chapter describes Joshua’s encounter with, “A
man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand“.
Joshua asked, “Are
you for us, or our enemies?”
We then read, “Neither“,
he replied, “but
as commander of the army of the Lord, I have now come“.
Joshua immediately fell on his face in worship, asking only, “What
message does my Lord have for his servant?”
Joshua is then told, “Take
off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy“.
These are the very words spoken to Moses at the burning bush when he
first met God. We know that angels do not accept worship, so who can
this man be except God Himself. I believe it is a pre-incarnate
visit from Jesus Christ. And do not miss the importance of the
question. It is not whether Jesus is on our side, but rather, are we
on His side of the battle before us. Jesus came first as a
sacrifice, but we are told He will come again, this time as a warrior
to take His possession (Rev 19:11-16). Are you ready?