Jos 5:1 | KingComments | STEP | Now that the people have come into the promised land, the first task Joshua is given for them is to circumcise them. Circumcision speaks of the judgment on the flesh ( ). For us this means that we must apply death to our own flesh, that is to say that we must consider ourselves dead to it ( ). In this way the reproach of Egypt – a picture of the world where the flesh finds its food – is rolled away. The power to overcome is found in the food of the land. After they have celebrated the Passover, they eat of it. This food represents the Lord Jesus. By seeing Him in glory we are changed in His image: “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit” ( ). This gives us strength for struggle. The Lord Jesus is not only the food, but He is also the Captain in the battle. The respect that Joshua pays to Him fits us ( ). In this chapter we see four important events in preparation for the conquest of the country: 1. Circumcision as a picture of judgment on the flesh ( ). 2. Celebration of the Passover as a picture of salvation by the Lamb of God ( ). 3. Feeding on the roasted grain as a picture of feeding on a heavenly Christ ( ). 4. Joining the “captain of the LORD’s host” as a picture of placing oneself under the authority of Christ ( ). The peoples of the land are impressed by what has been happening at and with the Jordan. With the people of God, and with people like Rahab, God’s power works reverent fear. Among the Gentiles, the power of God is also the cause of fear. This is not a respectful fear, however, but a hateful shudder. It does not process inner conversion and surrender, but resistance. What God has done deprives the peoples of the courage to attack God’s people. They withdraw to their fortified cities to resist.

‏ Joshua 5:1

Introduction

Now that the people have come into the promised land, the first task Joshua is given for them is to circumcise them. Circumcision speaks of the judgment on the flesh (Col 2:11). For us this means that we must apply death to our own flesh, that is to say that we must consider ourselves dead to it (Rom 6:11). In this way the reproach of Egypt – a picture of the world where the flesh finds its food – is rolled away.

The power to overcome is found in the food of the land. After they have celebrated the Passover, they eat of it. This food represents the Lord Jesus. By seeing Him in glory we are changed in His image: “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit” (2Cor 3:18). This gives us strength for struggle.

The Lord Jesus is not only the food, but He is also the Captain in the battle. The respect that Joshua pays to Him fits us (Jos 5:14-15).

In this chapter we see four important events in preparation for the conquest of the country:

1. Circumcision as a picture of judgment on the flesh (Jos 5:2-9).

2. Celebration of the Passover as a picture of salvation by the Lamb of God (Jos 5:10).

3. Feeding on the roasted grain as a picture of feeding on a heavenly Christ (Jos 5:11-12).

4. Joining the “captain of the LORD’s host” as a picture of placing oneself under the authority of Christ (Jos 5:13-15).

The Fear of the Kings

The peoples of the land are impressed by what has been happening at and with the Jordan. With the people of God, and with people like Rahab, God’s power works reverent fear. Among the Gentiles, the power of God is also the cause of fear. This is not a respectful fear, however, but a hateful shudder. It does not process inner conversion and surrender, but resistance. What God has done deprives the peoples of the courage to attack God’s people. They withdraw to their fortified cities to resist.