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Joshua 4
Twelve Memorial Stones
This memorial was put in place for the miracle that took place in Joshua 3, when God had dried up the Jordan river for the Israelites to cross over.
This was similar to the miracle that was performed by Moses at the Red Sea
God’s commandment for the people
Calling the 12 tribal representatives together Joshua instructed them.
They were to return to the middle of the riverbed and each one was to bring back one stone.
These stones would be a vivid reminder (a memorial) of God’s work of deliverance (cf.
v. 24) and an effective means for the Israelites to teach their young (vv.
6–7; cf.
vv.
21–24).
The response of the 12 men was immediate and unquestioning.
They could well have feared reentering the Jordan.
After all, how long would it stay dry?
Whatever fears they may have had were put aside and they unhesitatingly obeyed God’s instructions.
The Lord honored Joshua because of his obedience
“The waters returned to their place” - This signifies that there was no turning back for the Israelites.
Don’t go back to the place God brought you out of
4:19–20.
But this was no time for reflection.
Joshua led the people to Gilgal, their first encampment in Canaan, about two miles from Jericho.
There the 12 stones … taken out of the Jordan were set up, perhaps in a small circle.
The name Gilgal means “circle,” and may have been taken from an ancient circle of stones of pagan significance.
If so, the more recent circle commemorating Yahweh’s great work would serve to counteract the idolatrous association of the site.
4:21–23.
The purpose of the stones was clearly pedagogical: to remind Israel for generations to come that it was God who brought them through the Jordan (cf.
vv.
6–7) just as He had taken their fathers through the Red Sea.
But how were the future generations to know what the stones meant?
The answer is clear.
Parents were to teach God’s ways and works to their children (cf.
Deut.
6:4–7).
A Jewish father was not to send his inquisitive child to a Levite for answers to his questions.
The father was to answer them himself.
The real purpose behind the memorial
This chapter is a great reminder to always thank God for the miracles you asked for, but also the ones you never expected.
Joshua 5
Circumcision and Passover at Gilgal
Before the Israelites could conquer Canaan, they first had to go through a period of renewal.
“Consecration must precede conquest”
Before God would lead Israel to victory, He would lead them through three experiences: (a) the renewal of circumcision (5:1–9), (b) the celebration of the Passover (v.
10), and (c) the appropriation of the land’s produce (vv.
11–12).
This means that the Amorites lost heart were paralyzed with fear because of the Israelite
The Lord asked Joshua to circumcise the new generation of men
When the nations of the land were filled with terror (cf.
4:24) the LORD commanded Joshua to circumcise the sons of Israel.
He obeyed, even though it must have been difficult for him as a military commander to incapacitate his entire army in that hostile environment.
These were all the men of the generation that was born in the wandering in the wilderness for 40 years
Circumcision was a physical representation, but also a spiritual implication that sometimes consecration hurts.
It doesn’t always feel good to die to your flesh.
It’s a lot easier to give in to fleshly desires.
Consecration means to be “set apart” or “sacred”
WHY CIRCUMCISION?
5:8–9.
After all the males were circumcised … the LORD acknowledged the completed task by declaring, Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.
Since the Israelites were slaves in Egypt, they did not practice circumcision until they were about to leave.
No doubt the Egyptians prohibited the practice since it was reserved for their own priests and upper-class citizens.
“The reproach of Egypt” may refer to the Egyptians’ mocking the Israelites for not having possessed the land of Canaan.
Another indication of this event’s importance is the fact that a new significance was attached to the name Gilgal (NIV marg.).
Not only was the meaning “circle” to remind Israel of the memorial stones (see comments on 4:19–20), but now the related idea of “rolling” would commemorate Israel’s act of obedience at the same site.
But why was circumcision so important?
The Bible’s answer is clear.
Stephen, in his dynamic speech before the Sanhedrin, declared that God “gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision” (Acts 7:8).
Circumcision, then, was no ordinary religious rite; it was rooted in the Abrahamic Covenant, a contract guaranteeing the everlasting continuation of Abraham’s seed and their ever-lasting possession of the land (Gen.
17:7–8).
In this connection God adopted circumcision as the “sign” or symbol of that contract (Gen.
17:11).
God instructed Abraham that every male in his household as well as every male descendant of his was to be circumcised.
And Abraham immediately obeyed (Gen.
17:23–27).
But why did God choose circumcision as the symbol of His covenant with Abraham and his seed?
Why not some other sign or work?
The act of circumcision itself symbolized a complete separation from the widely prevalent sins of the flesh: adultery, fornication, and sodomy.
Further, the rite had spiritual overtones not only in relation to sexual conduct but in every phase of life.
“Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer” (Deut.
10:16; cf.
Deut.
30:6; Jer.
4:4; Rom.
2:28–29).
So Israel was to understand that circumcision was not simply a cutting of flesh; also their lives were to be holy.
This is why at Gilgal God said, in effect, “Before I fight your battles in Canaan you must have this mark of the covenant in your flesh.”
Joshua understood the cruciality of this divine requirement and led all males in unhesitating obedience.
Paul affirmed that a Christian has been “circumcised” in Christ (Col.
2:11).
This circumcision is spiritual not physical, relating not to an external organ but to one’s inward being, the heart.
This circumcision takes place at the time of salvation when the Holy Spirit joins a believer to Christ.
At that time one’s sinful nature is judged (Col.
2:13).
A Christian is to recognize that fact (Rom.
6:1–2) even though his carnal nature remains a part of him during this life.
He is to treat his carnal nature as a judged and condemned (though not yet executed) enemy.
After the men healed, then they celebrated Passover.
What’s interesting is that as soon as they celebrated Passover and ate food from the land, manna from heaven ceased
Apparently the Passover was not observed during the wilderness wanderings, but now at Gilgal in Canaan the feast was again observed.
The recent Jordan crossing was so similar to the crossing of the Red (Reed) Sea that vivid memories were brought back to those who had been in Egypt (persons under 20 at the time of the Exodus were not excluded from Canaan).
No doubt many an Israelite remembered how his father killed a lamb and sprinkled its blood on the doorpost and lintel.
Those now in Canaan could still hear the awful death cries of the Egyptians’ firstborn.
Then there was the excitement of the midnight departure, the terror of the Egyptian pursuit, and the thrill of walking between walls of water to escape Egypt.
Now they were reliving it again.
As the lambs were slain they were assured that as the Red Sea crossing was followed by the destruction of the Egyptians, so the crossing of the Jordan would be followed by the defeat of the Canaanites.
So remembering the past was an excellent preparation for the tests of the future.
5:12.
The next day the manna stopped.
For 40 long years it had continued (cf.
Ex. 16:4–5), but now it ceased as suddenly as it had begun, demonstrating that its provision was not a matter of chance but of special providence.
It is noteworthy that God did not discontinue the manna when Israel despised it (Num.
11:6), or even when the unbelieving generation turned away from Kadesh Barnea and wandered in the trackless wilderness.
At least for the sake of their children He continued to give it, till they grew and entered the land of promise.
Then God stopped performing this miracle since natural food was available.
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