Joshua Chapter 5 | The Army of the LORD
1. Circumcision at Gilgal (1-9)
Circumcision was the sign of the covenant which God made to Abraham (Gen 17:10). It was a way to signify that someone was part of this covenant and has a part with God’s people. However, those Israelites born in the wilderness were not circumcised (5-7). Before they could fight God’s battle and begin the conquest of Canaan, they would first have to all be circumcised, as it is a sign that they are God’s people who have a part in His covenant.
However, beyond just the physical circumcision of the flesh, to truly be God’s people, God requires the Israelites to circumcise the foreskins of their hearts as well (Deut 10:16)! This means to no longer be stubborn and be willing to submit to God (Deut 10:16), as well as to love God with all their heart and all their soul (Deut 30:6).
We know from Colossians 2:11-14 that for us today, baptism is a fulfilment of circumcision. Through our baptism, we have entered into a covenant with God. However, to really be God’s people, we have to ensure that our hearts are truly circumcised! And this makes sense, because how can one claim to belong to God and be part of His people, if he does not fully love God with all his heart and soul? How can one be a soldier in the Lord’s army and fight the Lord’s battle, if he is unwilling to submit to God and obey Him?
2. Passover (10-12)
While in Gilgal, the Israelites kept the Passover. The day after, they “ate of the produce of the land” (11) and miraculously, manna ceased to fall from heaven. With manna raining from heaven over the past 40 years, it is easy for one to grow numb and take God’s grace for granted. But the cessation of manna raining down from heaven occurring the day after they began to eat of the produce of the land is no coincidence, and serves as a reminder that all this while, manna falling from heaven to feed them is not something to take for granted! Had the manna stopped any earlier, they would have gone hungry.
Despite the people’s stubbornness, murmurings, and rebellions against God, God continued to care and provide for them throughout the entire wilderness journey. We can see God’s steadfast love and faithfulness to His own people. In fact, even before beginning the conquest of Canaan, in this chapter they have already begun to enjoy the produce of the promised land! It truly is a great blessing to be His people. Unworthy as we are, God continues to faithfully provide for us. Have we begun to take His love and grace for granted?
Remember me, O LORD, with the favor
You have toward Your people. Oh, visit me with Your salvation,
That I may see the benefit of Your chosen ones,
That I may rejoice in the gladness of Your nation,
That I may glory with Your inheritance.
Psalms 106:4-5
3. LORD of Hosts, Armies of Israel (13-15)
When Joshua was by Jericho, He saw the Commander of the army of the Lord (13-14). Given that the Man did not stop Joshua from worshipping Him, He would not have been an angel, but rather a manifestation of God Himself. The appearance of the Commander of the army of the Lord signifies that the conquest of Canaan was not Joshua’s battle or any man’s battle, but rather was God’s battle. Through the Israelites, God was to pronounce judgement on the inhabitants of Canaan and also make Israel a nation for Himself. From the Man’s title, we know that the Israelites were the “army of the Lord”, with the Almighty God as the Commander.
Exodus 23:20-33 describes how God was going to deliver the Canaanites into their hands and drive them out. God promised to send His fear before the Israelites, and we see this fulfilled in Joshua 5:1 whereby the hearts of the Canaanite kings melted! Since the conquest of Canaan was the Lord’s battle, the Israelites can have full assurance in their victory. All they had to do was obey the Lord and fight courageously, knowing that the battle is the Lord’s.
Reflections
This chapter begins with circumcision, which is important to the Israelites as it was the sign of God’s covenant with Abraham, a sign which showed that they were God’s people. As God’s people, they enjoyed His providence and His blessings, because God is faithful to His covenant. Today, we are God’s people too as we have been baptised into the body of Christ. As His children, we enjoy God’s providence and blessings in our lives. However, have we taken this status for granted? As His people, are we willing to circumcise our hearts, i.e. to love Him fully and be willing to submit to Him?
Moreover, as God’s people, we are also soldiers in His army! We are fighting for the Kingdom of God, to proclaim the Gospel to all nations. And since this is the Lord’s battle, we know that we will ultimately be victorious! All we have to do is obey our Commander and fight courageously. The question is, are we willing? God continues to faithful provide for us and care for us, but are we willing to do our part and fight for Him?
You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.
2 Timothy 2:3-4
