Journal Through the Bible: Week 31 Wednesday

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Joshua 5:1-6:27

Old things pass away and all things become new. Even the manna the people received at the hand of God stopped because they could eat of the corn of the land. The old generation that had been circumcised in Egypt had passed away and the new generation had to be circumcised as a sign of the covenant. Rahab's old culture was destroyed and her life within a new culture began.

Does God issue any commands in this passage?

• God commanded that the generation of men born in the wilderness be circumcised. (God said that He "rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you" when they were circumcised and Joshua stated that this is why the area was called Gilgal. Gilgal means "wheel" or "circle.")
• God commanded the men of war to circle (there's that "gilgal" analogy again) the city walls once for 6 consecutive days accompanied by priests bearing the ark and priests carrying and blowing trumpets. They were not to speak at all. On the 7th day 7 priests were to carry trumpets made from rams' horns and walk in front of the ark of the covenant while circling Jericho 7 times. The last time around the walls the priests were to blow with the trumpets and the people were to shout. 
• Through Joshua God commanded that the people not take anything of the spoils because this would cause a curse to come upon them. These first things were to be consecrated and dedicated to the LORD.

Does God make any promises?

• God promised that the walls of Jericho would fall flat on the 7th day.

Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

• If any man be in Christ he is a new creature. Old things pass away and all things become new. (Paraphrase of 2 Corinthians 5:17) The circumcision was the sign of the new covenant and that this generation was a new spiritual creation.
• (5:13-15) The Captain of the LORD appeared to Joshua as a man with a drawn sword. Joshua worshiped him as God so this was Jesus, God in the flesh. Joshua was required to take off his shoes in His presence just as Moses had been required to do at the burning bush.
• Rahab the harlot of Jericho was spared. She and her parents were ancestors of Jesus. At first she and her family were left outside the camp because they were unclean but later they were moved into the camp. That is the picture of what Jesus does for us. As sinners we are outside of God's camp and we are alien to His culture. Then grace saves us from certain death and makes us acceptable to be placed inside the camp.

Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

• None that I identified.