Camping in Caanan's Land

Israel, had crossed the wilderness and were now “Camping in Caanan Land”.

The Promotion of Joshua (4:14)

Israel’s memorial at Gilgal

Joshua 4:19–5:1 NKJV

Now the people came up from the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and they camped in Gilgal on the east border of Jericho. And those twelve stones which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up in Gilgal. Then he spoke to the children of Israel, saying: “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’ then you shall let your children know, saying, ‘Israel crossed over this Jordan on dry land’; for the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over, that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever.” So it was, when all the kings of the Amorites who were on the west side of the Jordan, and all the kings of the Canaanites who were by the sea, heard that the Lord had dried up the waters of the Jordan from before the children of Israel until we had crossed over, that their heart melted; and there was no spirit in them any longer because of the children of Israel.

Joshua, Judges & Ruth (Notes)

5:9 Gilgal. See NLT mg. The name has been associated with the root galal [1556, 1670] (to roll), the noun gilgal [1536, 1651] meaning “wheel” and referring to the stone monument Joshua set up there (4:20). Given the forms involved (gilgal, galal, and possibly others), Gilgal may refer both to the presumed circular shape of the stone memorial and to the rolling away of “the shame … of Egypt.”

The Amorites and the Canaanites are paralyzed with fear after learning of the Jordan river crossing!

The timing of the crossing was not coincidental.

Israel had celebrated their first Passover just before crossing the Red Sea; they would celebrate this one just after crossing the Jordan River.

For a time, Gilgal became a worship center of early Israel because of the memorial Joshua set up there.

It was a reminder and a teaching aid for Israel’s subsequent generations of God’s goodness to Israel at the banks of the Jordan.

Vivid instruction in the graciousness of God.

Notice Joshua’s concern to preserve and nurture succeeding generations’ interest in God’s work.

This is a vivid reminder of the value of “memorial stones” all along the journey of faith.

Joshua 4:24 NKJV

that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever.”

The Purification of the People (5:2-9)

Joshua 5:2–9 NKJV

At that time the Lord said to Joshua, “Make flint knives for yourself, and circumcise the sons of Israel again the second time.” So Joshua made flint knives for himself, and circumcised the sons of Israel at the hill of the foreskins. And this is the reason why Joshua circumcised them: All the people who came out of Egypt who were males, all the men of war, had died in the wilderness on the way, after they had come out of Egypt. For all the people who came out had been circumcised, but all the people born in the wilderness, on the way as they came out of Egypt, had not been circumcised. For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people who were men of war, who came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they did not obey the voice of the Lord—to whom the Lord swore that He would not show them the land which the Lord had sworn to their fathers that He would give us, “a land flowing with milk and honey.” Then Joshua circumcised their sons whom He raised up in their place; for they were uncircumcised, because they had not been circumcised on the way. So it was, when they had finished circumcising all the people, that they stayed in their places in the camp till they were healed. Then the Lord said to Joshua, “This day I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” Therefore the name of the place is called Gilgal to this day.

First actions in new circumstances are often of great symbolic value.

Before Israel turned their attention to Jericho, the first military objective, God directed Joshua to perform a covenant renewal ceremony, circumcising all the males born in the 40 years since their exodus from Egypt.

Joshua takes a four verses detour to explain and reminds them of Israel’s unfaithfulness

...at Kadesh-barnea, where they had refused to believe God would bring them safely into the land of Canaan.

Reminding the present generation that trust in God is still necessary if they were to occupy the land their fathers had forfeited.

Reminder that God’s promises are sure and unchanging, but our individual participation in them depends on our response.

Baptism

Colossians 2:11–12 NKJV

In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.

Peter compares Baptism to Noah’s Ark:

1 Peter 3:20 NKJV

who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.

1 Peter 3:21 NKJV

There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

The Passover of the Lamb (5:10)

Joshua and Israel’s second significant action, before turning their attention to Jericho, was the celebration of the first Passover in the land.

God had brought Israel across the uncross-able Jordan.

The provision of the Manna had ceased.

Turning a corner,

Opening a new chapter

The wilderness experience was behind them

The Land of Promise lay ahead

It’s time to move!

The Provisions From the Land (5:11-12)

The Presence of the Lord (5:13-15)

The Divine Warrior

Near the town of Jericho....(5:13

Joshua’s courage demonstrated in his scouting out the territory and in his approach to this figure.

Joshua, Judges & Ruth Commentary

Scenes such as these in the Old Testament are called “theophanies,” appearances of God to human beings, often in human form.

Just as God was with Moses, He is now with them....

Instructions Given....

Camping in Canaan's Land...