Slices
Prepare
Read Lamentations 3:22,23. Thank the Lord for a fresh start with him every day.
Bible passage
5 Now when all the Amorite kings west of the Jordan and all the Canaanite kings along the coast heard how the Lord had dried up the Jordan before the Israelites until they had crossed over, their hearts melted in fear and they no longer had the courage to face the Israelites.
Circumcision and passover at Gilgal
2 At that time the Lord said to Joshua, ‘Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites again.’ 3 So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the Israelites at Gibeath Haaraloth.
4 Now this is why he did so: all those who came out of Egypt – all the men of military age – died in the wilderness on the way after leaving Egypt. 5 All the people that came out had been circumcised, but all the people born in the wilderness during the journey from Egypt had not. 6 The Israelites had moved about in the wilderness for forty years until all the men who were of military age when they left Egypt had died, since they had not obeyed the Lord. For the Lord had sworn to them that they would not see the land that he had solemnly promised their ancestors to give us, a land flowing with milk and honey. 7 So he raised up their sons in their place, and these were the ones Joshua circumcised. They were still uncircumcised because they had not been circumcised on the way. 8 And after the whole nation had been circumcised, they remained where they were in camp until they were healed.
9 Then the Lord said to Joshua, ‘Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.’ So the place has been called Gilgal to this day.
10 On the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, while camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, the Israelites celebrated the Passover. 11 The day after the Passover, that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land: unleavened bread and roasted grain. 12 The manna stopped the day after they ate this food from the land; there was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate the produce of Canaan.
Explore
The focus of this passage is the fresh start that God’s people made as they entered the Promised Land. There are two aspects to this: the circumcision of all the men (vs 2–9), and the celebration of the Passover with the first food produced by the Promised Land (vs 10–12).
The circumcision of the men is set in the context of the Amorites’ and Canaanites’ fear of the Israelites (v 1). Their fear means that they do not immediately attack the Israelites. This allows time for Joshua to circumcise all the men and for them to heal before the battle for Jericho begins (vs 8,13).
Circumcision was a sign given by God of incorporation into a relationship with him (see Genesis 17). It was also required in order to share in the Passover meal (Exodus 12:43,44). But no one had been circumcised during the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness (Joshua 5:5). Verse 6 explains why not. The fresh start that the circumcision provides is summed up in verse 9. How do you think Joshua felt when he heard God’s words?
The second aspect to the fresh start that God provided for his people comes in verses 10–12 – ‘unleavened bread’ and ‘roasted grain’. It may not have been milk and honey (v 6), but it was a start!
Respond
Think of someone you know who needs a new start with God and pray for them.
Deeper Bible study
Lord, forgive me for making you so small in my prayers, requests and actions. Help me to mature in my wisdom regarding your infinite power, love and sovereignty.
When God acts, there are consequences. People notice, those affected know they face something extraordinary, for God is an awesome God. How often we spend time trying to decipher what was or wasn’t God – and yet all we see from history and from what is promised in the latter days is that when God acts, humans know about it! Here, the tenants of the Promised Land understood that they were at risk – perhaps because of the amazing signs of which they had heard, or the visual sight of an army being prepared to cross over right in front of their fortified city without any attempt at subterfuge. Or perhaps it was the consciousness of the sins and wicked acts in which they had indulged and for which they knew they would one day be accountable.
The Israelites had not yet lifted a hand and yet the enemy cowered inside, melting in fear. However, there were consequences for the Israelites’ sin too – the many who did not see the promise of God because of their unfaithfulness. The next generation would be blessed despite the sins of their parents. This points to a covenant God who fulfils his promises – albeit different from what was proposed. Ultimately, God’s word stands: they will inherit the land – although inheritance will come as God determines. The most astonishing thing is that, having crossed over in the sight of the enemy, they did not attack, but made camp and disabled all the fighting men. Israel was at her weakest here, yet also at her strongest. Why? Because the people obeyed Joshua, they obeyed God and they acted in repentance. Here God ‘rolled away’ the chains of bondage from Egypt and prepared them as his people to march forward with a new start: they crossed over both physically and spiritually.
The stone was rolled away from the tomb, death gave way to life. Are we walking in this light, prepared to repent, accept God’s command and walk in kingly confidence?
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Exodus 35,36; Psalm 18
Pray for Scripture Union
Local mission partner PSALMS working in Gloucestershire thanks God for their Active RE courses that were delivered in a number of schools all over the county last year and prays that as they continue children attending may discover more about the truth of Jesus. Pray too for their non-residential sports camps being held during the February half-term.
