4Now 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.
5All the people that came out had been circumcised, but all the people born in the wilderness during the journey from Egypt had not.
6The Israelites had moved about in the wilderness 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 he had solemnly promised their ancestors to give us, a land flowing with milk and honey. - P96
10On the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, while camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, the Israelites celebrated the Passover.
11The day after the Passover, that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land: unleavened bread and roasted grain.
12The 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.
- P97
13Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, "Are you for us or for our enemies?"
14"Neither," he replied, "but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come." Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, "What message does my Lord have for his servant?"
15The commander of the Lord’s army replied, "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy." And Joshua did so.
- P97
The Lord commands Joshua to circumcise the Israelites with flint knives.
Joshua obeys, and they stay in the camp until they are healed. They celebratethe Passover at Gilgal and eat produce from the land. After this, the mannastops. Joshua meets a man with a drawn sword, who introduces himself as thecommander of the Lord‘s army. Joshua falls facedown in reverence. - P97
At the turning point from the wilderness to the promised land, God tells Joshua to first circumcise the Israelites. Doing this was risky since the men would be vulnerable before their enemies while they healed. However, they demonstrate their commitment to God because they understand that their success going forward in the promised land is not dependent on human strength; it rests on their covenant relationship with Him. - P98
As the people of Israel demonstrate their commitment, they also experience the blessings of being God’s covenant people. - P98
In our new covenant relationship through Christ, circumcision is no longer required. However, as we demonstrate our commitment to Him through our words and actions, we experience the joy and blessing of being aligned with Him and feasting in His goodness. - P98
As the conquest of Canaan is about to begin, Joshua sees a man with asword in his hand. When Joshua questions his loyalties, the man explainsthat he is no mere soldier but the commander of the army of the Lord. Josh-ua immediately falls facedown in reverence. The scene reminds us of another divine encounter when Moses saw the burning bush. - P98
Joshua receives thesame instruction as Moses: to take off his sandals because he is standing onholy ground. Both Moses and Joshua show their utmost respect, serving asa model for our posture before God. - P98
We should not only listen and act inaccordance with our covenant commitment but also recognize the perfec-tion and holiness of our God who guides us and fights for us. - P98
As the conquest of Canaan is about to begin, Joshua sees a man with asword in his hand. When Joshua questions his loyalties, the man explainsthat he is no mere soldier but the commander of the army of the Lord.
Joshua immediately falls facedown in reverence. - P98
The scene reminds us of another divine encounter when Moses saw the burning bush. Joshua receives thesame instruction as Moses: to take off his sandals because he is standing onholy ground. Both Moses and Joshua show their utmost respect, serving asa model for our posture before God. - P98
We should not only listen and act inaccordance with our covenant commitment but also recognize the perfection and holiness of our God who guides us and fights for us. - P98
Despite my fears, I knew I had to put my trust in God. He wouldguide each of my steps in the place He had sent me.
- P99
In today‘s passage, before entering the promised land, the Israelites taketime to renew their covenant relationship with God through circumcision,
and they celebrate His goodness through the Passover. They rememberthat they are God‘s covenant people, and God is committed to fulfillingHis promises to them. Their role is to listen to His instructions and obeyHim. - P99
As God provides the produce of the land, it becomes a sign that Hewill continue to guide His people and bless them abundantly in the nextchapter of their journey. - P99
Dear God, thank you for reminding me of the importance of being in a right relationship with You. - P99
May I be aligned with You, putting You first in my heart, and glorifying You for Your perfect holiness. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P99
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