Josué 5

Josué 5

Ironside applies this passage to NT believers - The sharp knife speaks of self-judgment. Before a believer is fit to enter into combat with his spiritual enemies he needs to use this knife of self-judgment, which is the Word of God in living power upon his own heart and life. Alan Redpath - Fellow Christian, do not be afraid of the knife. It is in the hand of the lover of your soul, Jesus your Saviour. Whatever be the cost, let Gilgal be for you today the place of absolute renunciation of everything that the Spirit of God reveals to you that is contrary to His will That is Christian experience which is not merely the teaching of a doctrine but the living of a life. It is not merely the understanding of truth, it is looking into the face of Jesus and asking Him to make Calvary real in your soul, no matter what it may cost you. Do you dare face that renunciation? (Victorious Christian Living) Brian Harbour - What did circumcision mean? It was an outward sign of their inward commitment to God (ED: See Dt 10:16+, Dt 30:6+, Jer 4:4, Ro 2:25-29+, cf "uncircumcised in heart" = Acts 7:51+). And it was a mark of identity. It was their way of acknowledging they were a part of the family of God. Doing this now was a sign that they were turning from the pattern of their disobedience. In the words of God, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you” (Joshua 5:9). The abstention from the practice indicated the covenant had been temporarily discontinued. The resumption of the practice acknowledged the covenant between God and Israel had been renewed. George Bush - Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 5 2. At that time. As if in allusion to the remarkable circumstances by which they were now surrounded; encamped in the midst of an enemy’s country, and yet that enemy providentially restrained from harming them, so that they were commanded, as if in their very sight and presence, to reduce themselves to a condition of comparative weakness and helplessness. ‘This formed a very great trial of their faith, and their prompt and universal obedience in such critical circumstances, manifested a confidence in the Lord’s protection, and a submission to his will, which confirm the sentiment that this was the best of all the generations of Israel.’ Scott. Make thee sharp knives. Heb. עשה לך חרבות צרים esëh lekâh harbōth tzurim, prepare, make ready, knives of rock, stone, or flint. Of such materials were the edge-tools of all nations made before the use of iron became common. At this day, among most of the savage tribes inhabiting the islands of the sea, or other barbarous climes, the same custom prevails. Their knives, and also their arrow and spear-heads, are made of stone; and similar relics of the aborigines of our own country are often turned up by the plough. It is not probable that the Israelites were altogether strangers to the use of iron, or were unfurnished with various metallic tools, as their different fabrications in the wilderness force upon us the belief that they must have employed both iron and steel; but from the case of Zipporah, Ex. 4:25, it appears to have been unlawful to use any kind of metal in this religious rite, and this opinion is confirmed by the practice of a tribe in Ethiopia at this day, who, professing to follow the Mosaic institution, perform the rite of circumcision, according to Ludolf, with knives of stone. It is supposed too that such instruments were not so liable to cause inflammation, as knives or razors of metal. And circumcise again the children of Israel the second time. Heb. ושוב מל veshūb mōl, return (and) circumcise. This is not to be understood as a command to repeat circumcision on those individuals who had already received it. This would have been at once unnecessary and impracticable. It merely implies that they were to renew the observance of a rite which had been neglected in their travels in the desert. The command was given now, at this early period after their entrance into the promised land, (1) That the reproach of Egypt might be rolled away; (2) That they might be duly prepared to celebrate the Passover, of which none might eat who were uncircumcised, Ex. 12:48; and (3) As a trial of their faith under the circumstances in which they were now placed, surrounded by enemies intent upon their destruction, and who could desire no greater advantage than such a crippled state of their invaders would give them. ‘There is a general circumcision now of the people, as there had been at their coming out of Egypt; and as God then closed the Egyptians in three days’ darkness that they could not stir, so now he striketh the Canaanites with terror, that they dare not stir to hurt the people while they were sore. Circumcision sealed the lease of the land of Canaan; and therefore as soon as they set foot on it they must be circumcised.’ Light-foot. Had Joshua acted on the principles common to all other generals, when invading an enemy’s country, he would either have prosecuted his advantages instantly, while his enemies were filled with terror, and crushed them before they had time to prepare for their defence; or he would have fortified his own camp to prevent surprise, and to be in constant readiness for any emergency that might arise. But instead of adopting any military plans whatever, the very day after he had invaded the country, without waiting to know what effect the invasion would have, he appoints nearly every male in the congregation to be circumcised! Thus by one act disabling the greater part of his whole army from even standing in their own defence! What but a principle of the most triumphant faith could have brought them to submit to such an injunction as this? Joshua 5:3 So Joshua made himself flint knives and circumcised the sons of Israel at Gibeath-haaraloth. Joshua: Ge 17:23-27 Mt 16:24 Joshua 5 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries So - Joshua's obedience was not faltering but instant & complete. It was a manifestation of his strong faith in a God Who could be trusted for the victory. THINK ABOUT THE SETTING FOR A MOMENT: Israel was camped in enemy territory, just a few miles from Jericho. The enemy's heart had melted. Israel was poised for certain victory over this city "fortified to heaven" (Dt 1:28, Dt 9:1). Now God asks them to temporarily disable every male in the nation, including every sol dier in the army! What a golden opportunity for the enemy to attack and wipe them out. (see timing of Israel's revenge of Dinah's defilement in Ge 34:22-24,25.) It took faith for Joshua and the people to obey the Lord, but their obedience to the Law was the secret of their success (Joshua 1:7,8+). Comparing this event to Paul's thorn in the flesh, Israel in their weakness was made strong (2Co 12:9, 10); and through faith and patience they inherited the promises (Heb 6:12). KNIVES SHARPENED AT "HILL OF THE FORESKINS" Shortly after Israel departed from Egypt, God tested them at Meribah; and they failed the test (Ex 17:1-7+; Ps 81:7). Shortly after Israel entered the Promised Land, God tested them by commanding the men to be circumcised; and they passed the test. The people had faith to obey God, and this faith was demonstrated in their outward act of circumcision which laid hold of the blessing and power inherent in God's promise (esp Jos 1:8). THOUGHT - After we’ve experienced an exciting victory of faith (CF ISRAEL JUST CROSS A FLOODED RIVER), God often permits us to be tested. Abraham arrived in the land of promise and was confronted with a famine (Ge 12:10+). Elijah triumphed over Baal and was threatened with death by Jezebel and he became fearful (1Ki 19:1-3). After Jesus' baptism in the Jordan (A "MOUNTAIN TOP" EXPERIENCE) the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan (Mt 3:13–4:11+). Since great victories can lead to great pride, God allows us to be tested in order to remind us to depend on Him. “Let us be as watchful after the victory as before the battle.” -- Scottish preacher Andrew Bonar (1810–92) Joshua made himself flint knives and circumcised the sons of Israel at Gibeath-haaraloth - Names in the OT are often very significant and this name Gibeath-haaraloth, which meant "the hill of the foreskins," served to memorialize this location as the site Israel obeyed God's command to undergo circumcision, their obedience reflecting their faith that He would protect them from enemy attack while they were physically vulnerable. It is remarkable that all of the men consented to this rigorous, painful ordeal and what this demonstrates is they clearly have an attitude of compliance with their commander's desire (contrast the many episodes of Israel resisting Moses' leadership). ESV Note on flint knives - The use of flint knives, even in a time period when metal instruments had been developed, may attest to the antiquity of the practice (cf. Ex. 4:25), or it may have to do with the need for many instruments at one time. Flint, or obsidian, was readily available and was particularly well suited. An Egyptian text, dated to the twenty-third century b.c., speaks of 120 young men being circumcised at one time. The inscription on a similarly dated Egyptian tomb relief depicting circumcision indicates that flint knives were used. George Bush - Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 5 3. And Joshua made him sharp knives. That is, he caused them to be made, they were made by his order. Circumcised the children of Israel. Meaning those of them who had not been already circumcised, those who had been born in the wilderness and were under forty years of age. This he did by means of his agents. As the number to whom the rite was to be administered was immensely large, and the time allotted for it short, a great many hands must necessarily have been engaged in it. Probably any one who was himself circumcised, was authorized to perform it. In ordinary circumstances it is proper to stand upon instituted observances with great exactness, and to have religious rites performed by appropriate officers, but when peculiar emergencies arise, such scrupulousness must sometimes be waived, and rituals give way to essentials. God will have mercy rather than sacrifice, when only one can be rendered him. At the hill of the foreskins. So called from the hillock of foreskins, the result of the transaction. Joshua 5:4 This is the reason why Joshua circumcised them: all the people who came out of Egypt who were males, all the men of war, died in the wilderness along the way after they came out of Egypt. All the: Nu 14:22 26:64,65 De 2:16 1Co 10:5 Heb 3:17-19 Joshua 5 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries WHY PERFORM CIRCUMCISION? This is the reason why Joshua circumcised them: all the people who came out of Egypt who were males, all the men of war, died in the wilderness along the way after they came out of Egypt - God reminds Joshua of what he had witnessed for 40 years, Israelites daily dying in the desert because of their disbelief and disobedience (note these two "dis's" go together in that order - the antithesis of trust and obey). They came out but they did not go in! Phillip Keller - In essence, circumcision for Israel in this occasion marked them as dead to the past , and alive , eager to be utterly God's in the future. It was the counterpart to the sacred sacrament of baptism so unique in the spiritual saga of modern day Christians. It was a titanic turning point upon which the nation's history hinged. Only because of Joshua's fearless faith in God's ability to preserve Israel in this their hour of mortal peril did he proceed with it." (Joshua: Man of Fearless Faith) J