Joshua: Kingdom Conquest (6)
Joshua Kingdom Conquest • Sermon • Submitted
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Last week we crossed the river this week we’re getting circumcised. Now the bible, in my opinion, doesn’t give a clear reason to How circumcision was important. I have been asked about the possible medical benefits, but after talking to Dr’s concerning my kids there doesn’t seem to be any except for a minute a day time savor in the shower.
If your remember 3 weeks ago we talked about the 3 stages of the river stopping at one end.
To increase faith in Israel
To declare Joshua as their leader
to instill fear into their enemies
As soon as all the kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan to the west, and all the kings of the Canaanites who were by the sea, heard that the Lord had dried up the waters of the Jordan for the people of Israel until they had crossed over, their hearts melted and there was no longer any spirit in them because of the people of Israel.
At that time the Lord said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the sons of Israel a second time.”
So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the sons of Israel at Gibeath-haaraloth.
And this is the reason why Joshua circumcised them: all the males of the people who came out of Egypt, all the men of war, had died in the wilderness on the way after they had come out of Egypt.
Though all the people who came out had been circumcised, yet all the people who were born on the way in the wilderness after they had come out of Egypt had not been circumcised.
For the people of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, until all the nation, the men of war who came out of Egypt, perished, because they did not obey the voice of the Lord; the Lord swore to them that he would not let them see the land that the Lord had sworn to their fathers to give to us, a land flowing with milk and honey.
So it was their children, whom he raised up in their place, that Joshua circumcised. For they were uncircumcised, because they had not been circumcised on the way.
When the circumcising of the whole nation was finished, they remained in their places in the camp until they were healed.
And the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” And so the name of that place is called Gilgal to this day.
We don’t know why the new males hadn’t been circumcised. On a practical level it was a sign of God’s covenant to Abraham that he would have children.
To remove the reproach of Egypt. There are several reasons this could be.
1). egypt practised circumcision as well and if you weren’t circumcised than you weren’t worth their time.
2. It was a sign of their drawing away from God—since Egypt was where they initially stopped the practice.
3. It also marked the end of their bondage.
The act of circumcision was set to remind Israel that they, including their bodies, belonged to God and they were to keep themselves free from sin—especially sexual sin as it’s impact is deeper in ones physical and Spiritual life.
The physical opperation was meant to be a symbol in the spiritual operations on the heart.
Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn.
We must remember that Israel was a convenant people and conenants came with requirements. They preformed certain celebrations that reminded them different convenant. The rainbow was a covenant to Noah. Unfortunately they began to look at the covenenant as their way to salavation.
And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.
Now the location was unique. Instead of doing this surgery on the otherside of the river where it was safe they had this surgery on the same side as their enemies. They rendered every male temporarily disabled just a few miles from Jericho.
This had to be another exercise of faith- Do you trust me when you are at your weakest moment. My wife bought a cat...
so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
But this also qualified them for the upcoming passover.
I Exodus it’s said that no male vould participate int he annual feast of the passover unless he had been circumcised.
For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything.
Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ,
While the people of Israel were encamped at Gilgal, they kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month in the evening on the plains of Jericho.
Passover was an important day for Israel that hadn’t been celebrated during the wilderness wonderings. Many believe that the last supper was the NT Passover reimagined.
And the day after the Passover, on that very day, they ate of the produce of the land, unleavened cakes and parched grain.
And the manna ceased the day after they ate of the produce of the land. And there was no longer manna for the people of Israel, but they ate of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.
Eating of the land marks the beginning appropriation of the land. God has provided for them in abundance.
Warren Weirsbe States: God easily took His people out of Egypt, but it was difficult to take Egypt out of His People.
Mana was their main cry for wanting to Go back to Egypt so many times. But not they had the harvest of inheritance that was promised to them during Abraham’s journey.
When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?”
And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?”
And the commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.
Many theologians believe this is one of the many pre-incarnation appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ. God, through Jesus, was reaffirming that Joshua wasn’t fighting this battle alone. Jesus to us today destroyed death letting us know that we already celebrate and walk in victory.
The Lord is a man of war; the Lord is his name.
Joshua is reminded that he is second in command. He may be the visible force, but God was fighting his battles. and I love Jesus answer to Joshua’s question
Are you for us or against us: “No”
Romans 8:31 id God is for us should be better translated as with us. God is only on our side when we align on His side. God doesn’t change sides. We do. He has his side. And if we are working His will then God will fight for us and with us and through us.
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
Then he tells Joshua he is standing on Holy Ground. Why?
Anywhere God sets foot is Holy. If we are being led by God we are on Holy ground and we need to act accordingly.
But I want you to notice the steps here:
Humble worship Leads to a Holy ordered walk, leads to heavenly warfare. Everything had it’s order.