Living the Covenant
Joshua: Pass Over and Possess • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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And it came to pass, when all the kings of the Amorites, which were on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, which were by the sea, heard that the Lord had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel.
At that time the Lord said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time.
And Joshua made him sharp knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at the hill of the foreskins. And this is the cause why Joshua did circumcise: All the people that came out of Egypt, that were males, even all the men of war, died in the wilderness by the way, after they came out of Egypt.
Now all the people that came out were circumcised: but all the people that were born in the wilderness by the way as they came forth out of Egypt, them they had not circumcised. For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people that were men of war, which came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the Lord: unto whom the Lord sware that he would not shew them the land, which the Lord sware unto their fathers that he would give us, a land that floweth with milk and honey.
And their children, whom he raised up in their stead, them Joshua circumcised: for they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them by the way. And it came to pass, when they had done circumcising all the people, that they abode in their places in the camp, till they were whole.
And the Lord said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you. Wherefore the name of the place is called Gilgal unto this day.
And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho.
And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the passover, unleavened cakes, and parched corn in the selfsame day. And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.
Introduction
Introduction
In our passage this morning, we see several firsts in the land of Canaan. God has brought His people to the place that He has promised them. God has brought them through the trial of the river. Two questions are going to be answered of His people in chapter 5.
We need to be looking throughout the book for our theme for 2025. The central focus of the book of Joshua is that God wants us to move forward and take ahold of the blessings of our salvation.
Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the Lord your God giveth you to possess it.
As we saw in our study of Ephesians, God has blessed us with spiritual blessings. All the saved have access to these blessings. Do we share them with the lost? Do we live them faithfully in our lives? Do we thank God for them daily? The book of Joshua leads us along the path of living the victorious Christian life. All we need to live victoriously, we already have in Christ. We must just cross over the river of fear and take ownership of the land of Promise!
Traditions are some of the most enjoyable parts of our lives. What do we think of around Christmas time? We think of traditions like hot chocolate and cinnamon rolls. What do we think of on the Fourth of July? Fireworks and hot dogs.
When God gave the law at Sinai, He emphasized the importance of two traditions that we will see carried out in the chapter. We even see these two traditions lived out in the life of our Lord in the New Testament. Why do we emphasize traditions so much? What value is there in keeping the old, well trod path alive? The truth is that following the old paths of the Word of God is commanded by the Bible itself.
Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.
The Israelite people were known throughout their history and even today as people who carried on their traditions. However, in the chapter this morning, we see that these two events are connected, not only with history but also future blessing. These two events connected the people with what God was doing in their hearts to make them ready for the blessings He had ahead of them.
God has a plan for us to follow His Word as well. Too often we miss blessings that God has for us because we are absent when we should be present. Sometimes we are impatient when we ought to be involved. The children of Israel had the same temptations that we have today to get ahead of God. This morning, we see God ensuring their preparation for blessings in the land. One writer said,
Be Strong Joshua 5
God’s people must be prepared before they can be trusted with victory. The triumphant conquest of the land was to be the victory of God, not the victory of Israel or of Joshua.
Can God trust us with victory? Can God say that we are ready for everything that lies ahead? Are we ready to obey Him and carry on faithfully into the unknown?
Declaration
Declaration
The central truth of the Christian life is that Jesus died for us. The children of Israel were saved by the work of God. Now they must live as sanctified participants in the covenant. Two questions are found in this passage.
1. How Specific is your Obedience?
1. How Specific is your Obedience?
And it came to pass, when all the kings of the Amorites, which were on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, which were by the sea, heard that the Lord had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel.
At that time the Lord said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time. And Joshua made him sharp knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at the hill of the foreskins. And this is the cause why Joshua did circumcise: All the people that came out of Egypt, that were males, even all the men of war, died in the wilderness by the way, after they came out of Egypt. Now all the people that came out were circumcised: but all the people that were born in the wilderness by the way as they came forth out of Egypt, them they had not circumcised. For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people that were men of war, which came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the Lord: unto whom the Lord sware that he would not shew them the land, which the Lord sware unto their fathers that he would give us, a land that floweth with milk and honey. And their children, whom he raised up in their stead, them Joshua circumcised: for they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them by the way. And it came to pass, when they had done circumcising all the people, that they abode in their places in the camp, till they were whole. And the Lord said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you. Wherefore the name of the place is called Gilgal unto this day.
Verse 1 gives us the lay of the land. The children of Israel have now crossed over the final physical obstacle facing them as they enter the land of Promise. God has been with them every step of the way. He was with them in the midst of the river. He had gone ahead of them into the land and brought fear into the hearts of the wicked inhabitants. God was behind them on the other side of the river protecting the families of the two and half tribes of the east bank.
This verse sets up the events that will occur in the next several chapters. God has already taken care of everything out of our control in our day to day lives. He has gone before us and He has planned it out to bring glory to Himself and blessing to us.
In verse 2, we see the first question in this passage for the Christian. How specific is your obedience? Joshua is about to answer that question. In verse 2, there is a command given to Joshua to make sharp knives. The word “sharp” connects this command to ancient flint knives used at the time of the Patriarchs. The rite of circumcision was given by God to Abraham in the early chapters of the dealing of God with Israel.
This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you. And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed. He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.
This was a significant event in Abraham’s life. Though not the day that he was saved, this was the day that the Promise of God required a visible, physical choice. One writer points out that the day God made the covenant ratified to Abraham was the day of circumcision.
Throughout the Bible, this act has been shown to be more than a simple physical action. For both man and woman alike, the real application of this rite is that the person has chosen to believe God in their hearts. The heart of man, though it is sinful, is the place that we choose who we will serve and who we will believe. Moses told the people before the came into the land,
And the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.
Joshua carries out these instructions that God has given. The writer of the book now changes from his so far characteristic dialog and gives us some reasoning for the actions of Joshua. The previous generation of Israel had not been faithful to God. Though circumcised in Egypt, they did not live like they were under the covenant of God. They died in the wilderness because of their rebellion.
However, verse 7 points out that God is the One who raised up another generation in the wilderness to replace the rebellious children. There was hope for the Promise of God. He chose to show mercy to the children and allow them to choose to follow Him if they would.
The application for us from this passage is that we too were without hope outside of the covenant. However, Jesus died for us and we are now able to have fellowship through His blood. In the New Testament, circumcision is a constant action by the Christian to put down the flesh and all its actions. We see this throughout the writings of Paul.
Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
The contrast in these three verses is staggering. Circumcision is nothing physically but obedience is. Circumcision is nothing physically but faith lived out by love. Circumcision is nothing physically nothing but living as a new creature is something. How are you doing with your heart? Is it circumcised? Are you living according to what you have been taught by His Word? Is your flesh in control or is the Spirit changing you to be more like Him? How is your heart today?
In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
Christian, put off the flesh in your heart today! Stop doing the things of the old life. You are saved and are living in the land of Promise. Live dedicated to Christ.
Verse 9 seems to point to the renewal of the covenant with this next generation and their replacement of their parents. God does the action of removing the reproach from the people. Now they are able to stand ready to see the victories of God in their lives. They have chosen to remove the flesh and follow the Word.
Remove from me reproach and contempt;
For I have kept thy testimonies.
So the question for us today is the same as for the Israelites. How specific is your obedience? Are we willing to get rid of the flesh and live in obedience to God? God commanded a physical act to show the spiritual decision inside. How is your inner decision?
2. How Specific is God’s Provision?
2. How Specific is God’s Provision?
And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho. And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the passover, unleavened cakes, and parched corn in the selfsame day. And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.
An example is given in these verses of the specificity that God expects. We see the example in how specific God is about keeping His own promises to us. When we see examples of God’ faithfulness to us, we ought to be careful to follow them in our pursuit of Him. The story is told by one writer that,
A Quest for Godliness 3 > Chapter Seven: The Puritan Conscience
Richard Rogers, the Puritan pastor of Wethersfield, Essex, at the turn of the sixteenth century, was riding one day with the local lord of the manor, who, after twitting him for some time about his ‘precisian’ ways, asked him what it was that made him so precise. ‘O sir,’ replied Rogers, ‘I serve a precise God.’ If there were such a thing as a Puritan crest, this would be its proper motto. A precise God—a God, that is, who has made a precise disclosure of his mind and will in Scripture, and who expects from his servants a corresponding preciseness of belief and behaviour…
In verses 10 through 12, we see the first Passover meal of the children of Israel in the land of Canaan. This must have been a joyous time! These adults had been children if they had been alive when the last passover took place at Sinai. Many may not have remembered the original passover in Egypt. Now they get the opportunity to remind themselves of the traditions of God’s protection of them in a time of judgment in Egypt.
The further narration that we have in these verses is that this was a time of transition regarding the long term provision of God for His people. The land was now under their feet and it was giving of itself for their immediate dietary needs. God had promised to them in the wilderness to provide. However, they had often doubted this promised and they constantly complained that God was not carrying it out. Psalm 78 tells us,
And they tempted God in their heart
By asking meat for their lust.
Yea, they spake against God; they said,
Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?
Now this generation had another opportunity to choose how they would believe God. Verse 11 tells us that the people ate of the land just as God had promised. God carried out His end of the covenant specifically to the day that they came into the land.
The manna and cakes show the provision of God for the food of His people. The “old corn” was the product of a land prepared by God. The children of Israel were able to eat some of the harvest of the fields that God had specifically prepared for their enjoyment.
And the children of Israel did eat manna forty years, until they came to a land inhabited; they did eat manna, until they came unto the borders of the land of Canaan.
What we see from this example is that despite our unfaithfulness, God is faithful. The specificity of God is faithful to His promises. How are we doing with our obedience? The children of Israel were to be circumcised. They did so. The children of Israel were to eat of the land and observe the Passover according the commands of Moses. They did so. God carried out His part of the covenant. How are we doing with our part? Paul prayed for the people at Colosse,
For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
The second question is answered for us in verses 10-12. How Specific is God’s Provision? God is specific to the day and hour in keeping His promises. God is faithful to us. Ought we not to be so specific in our obedience to Him? Ought we not to be careful to stop living in the flesh and instead follow His commands to fulfil the purpose that He saved us for?
Conclusion
Conclusion
If you were to plan for a big trip to a destination, you would likely do some research. You might read some books or watch some videos. Perhaps, you would talk to other people who had been there before. You would probably make some sort of plan or itinerary for the trip.
I was thinking this week about a trip that we took three years ago. My wife and I went to Disney World. That was the first time that Melody had been there. Because of how things worked out for vacation days for me, we were able to go for a week in February. We booked the trip about 4 or 6 weeks before we were supposed to go. While we had a great time, we could have saved some money and perhaps fit in some extra things if we had taken more time for preparation.
Preparation is important in our Christian life as well. The path of sanctification is sometimes uphill in preparation and downhill in participation. Wherever you are along the path, God has something for you to learn before the next turn in the road.
The central truth of the Christian life is that Jesus died for us. The children of Israel were saved by the work of God. Now they must live as sanctified participants in the covenant.
What we see here is a change in the outlook of the children of Israel. They were always looking forward to the land. Now they are here. What this shows us is that God expects faithfulness in what He has called us to do. They were a different group from the rebellious first generation. Their job is to be faithful where they have been placed.
Are you faithful to the leading of God? How is your Christian life? Is it dedicated to following God or is it moving at your pace in your own direction? Before they could fight a battle according to a yet-to-be-revealed divine plan, they had to follow the commands that they had already been given. Preparation was necessary for the children of Israel.
Are you prepared? Is your obedience specific? Are you doing what you know to be right according to the Word of God? It is time that we get right here in church with God! It is time that each of us prepare for the work of God in our lives.
We saw this morning that the provision of God is specific. He takes care of us. Are we living according to His example?
Sanctification is growing in Christ. It begins when we trust Christ as our personal Saviour. Because, everyone of us is a sinner. We have a problem that cannot be solved by any means on earth. Instead, Jesus came to die on the cross in our place. His solution, which began in heaven, was to come and die on earth for us. He lives today to offer salvation to each one of us. If you have never taken that gift, receive it today.
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
