Joshua 5: 1 -9; A Second Circumcision

Review: Pictures

As we continue our journey into the promised land it’s important to remember where we have come from. Paul has told us the all these OT stories are put there for our examples and that all the Hebrew religious feasts and ritual were just shadows but the substance is Christ. When you look for Him you will find Him!

Egypt = world system

Moses the deliverer = Jesus in type

Passover = Lamb of God, Jesus crucified

Red Sea = Salvation & Baptism

Dry Desert = Christian Life in the flesh

Jordan Crossing = Second Baptism, Upon experience

Promised Land = the Abundant Spirit Led Life

So I wanted to pick up where we ended last week, in , where 2 memorials were set up. Each made of twelve stones, representing one of the twelve tribes of Israel.

As we were closing last week we recalled that Jesus also entered the Jordan to be baptised by John the Baptist. tells us that John was baptising at “Bethabara”. Literally, the house (beth means house, like “bethel - house of God) or place of passage. In other words, Jesus’ baptism is at the same spot where Israel crossed the Jordan. But it gets more interesting when you look at John the Baptist is preaching to the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch the baptism. The “these stones” could very well be the Memorial stones set up by Joshua here in Chapter 4.

So where are we now in our story? We have just miraculously crossed the flooded, on dry ground, set up a memorial for future generations, and are camped at Gilgal. In the promised Land.

What city is with in view? Jericho, the fortress city.

- God’s ways are not our ways

Read , So lets think as a military General and strategise based on our mission and what we know.

What is your mission here? Take possession of the promised land and conquer the enemy.

Based on Verse 1 and the intel from Rahab what do you know? Your enemy is scarred to death and recognizes your God is God and He is with you.

Whats our next move? Well God ways are not our ways and how God works with Israel is poignant picture of how he works within a spirit led believer.

Read ,

If we are going to live in the promised land we cannot be led by the arm of flesh. Remember, , “…the weapons of our warfare are not carnal..”

We have to learn to listen to the Holy Spirit for direction.

Read

So when God tells Joshua to sharpen up some knives, he was probably thinking a battle is coming, but was probably somewhat confused by the stated purpose, Circumcision.

This begs some questions, why have they not been circumcising in the desert? and why not last week on the other side of the Jordan?

So basically, the whole army of Israel is going to be incapacitated in the enemy’s front yard.

So back to the text we are told the reason, that is , that the children born in the wilderness were not cirmucised. None for 40 years. We will see later that the Passover was not celebrated either. Maybe it has something to do with the picture God is painting.

It might help to learn about circumcision.

 This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male child among you shall be circumcised; 11 and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you. 12 He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised, every male child in your generations, he who is born in your house or bought with money from any foreigner who is not your descendant. 13 He who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money must be circumcised, and My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. 14 And the uncircumcised male child, who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.”

 Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-necked no longer.

 And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.

So what is this supposed to represent? so lets talk about the effects of circumcision.

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Circumcision causes pain to the flesh. which also increases sensitivity.

First of its a very personal mark, A reminder of who are you see every day.

Its a personal mark that is not to be flaunted. You could imagine how Abraham felt at age 99 that a badge or necklace would have been easier.

Circumcision is “weird” to the world.

It deals with life and reproduction itself.

So spiritually what does all this mean. Well we know the cutting off of the flesh is a picture because the “heart” has no foreskin. So before entering the PL to conquer they or we must be conquered by through the painful process of removing the flesh. The purpose being ..to love the Lord our God with all our heart and soul, that we can live.

The PL is a dangerous place when we are not walking in the Spirit. The next chapter will be a picture of the spirit led life and the next chapter a picture of living in flesh in the PL.

For us who desire to walk in abundant life this spiritual cutting is how the HS gains access to the most private most personal areas of our heart.

Those believers outside of the PL in the desert wilderness will not be confronted until they choose to crossover.

Another View, Circumcision compared to the work of the HS.

Jon Courson shared this view and I think you too will find it interesting. Jon compares the Gift of Tongues with OT Circumcision.

Tongues are a sign 1 Cor 14:22

Like most things of the Spirit the flesh hates this gift and mocks its validity. 1 Cor 14:9

Tongues are for personal edification and not be flaunted. :4

The Bible tells us, that the power of life is in the tongue.

The flesh hates this gift, exercising tongues causes pain to flesh pride. , Cor 14:14

Tongues bring new sensitivity to the Spirit.

Gilgal,

After the circumcision healing is required before they can move forward. They were completely vulnerable at this point. Exactly were God wanted them.

We’ve seen this before.

We are never more secure than when we are in the middle of God’s will.

Gilgal means “rolling”. The LORD tells Joshua through this process the reproach of Egypt had been rolled away.

in a sense they finally believed they were not slaves anymore.

For you and me who have crossed over into the PL and been baptised in the Spirit we are sure of our position in Christ and move forward day by day at His leading.