Covenant Renewal and Preparation for Conquest

Joshua 5 marks a significant point in the Israelites’ journey as they prepare to take possession of the Promised Land. This chapter details the renewal of the covenant through circumcision, the celebration of the Passover, the cessation of manna, and a pivotal encounter between Joshua and a divine messenger. Each event underscores themes of obedience, divine provision, and readiness for God’s purposes.

Covenant Renewal Through Circumcision

• Circumcision at Gilgal: Upon entering the Promised Land, Joshua is commanded by God to circumcise the Israelite males born in the wilderness, as the generation that left Egypt had been circumcised but those born during the journey had not. This act of circumcision at Gilgal renews the covenant with God and signifies their purification and readiness to inherit the land (Joshua 5:2-9).

Celebration of the Passover

• Observance of Passover: After the circumcision, the Israelites observe the Passover on the plains of Jericho. This is significant as it marks the first Passover celebrated in the Promised Land, symbolizing deliverance and new beginnings. It connects the current generation to the foundational events of their faith and God’s past deliverance (Joshua 5:10).

Change in Divine Provision

• End of Manna: Following the Passover, the manna that had sustained the Israelites for forty years ceases, as they begin to eat from the produce of Canaan. This transition from divine provision to the fruits of the land they were given signifies a new phase in their relationship with God, reflecting His provision through the land’s abundance (Joshua 5:11-12).

Divine Encounter

• Joshua’s Vision of the Commander of the Lord’s Army: Joshua encounters a mysterious figure standing before him with a drawn sword. When Joshua asks if he is for them or their adversaries, the figure responds that he is the commander of the Lord’s army. This encounter emphasizes that the upcoming battles are under divine command, aligning the conquest with God’s sovereign will (Joshua 5:13-15).

Theological Significance and Connection to Jesus Christ

Christological Echoes

• Jesus and the New Covenant: The act of circumcision can be seen as a foreshadowing of the spiritual circumcision performed by Christ (Colossians 2:11-12), where the cutting away of the old sinful nature is replaced by a new creation in Christ, marking believers as part of the new covenant.
• Jesus Our Passover Lamb: The Passover observance points directly to Christ, our Passover Lamb, who was sacrificed for us (1 Corinthians 5:7). This establishes a direct theological link between the deliverance from Egypt and the deliverance from sin achieved through Jesus.
• The Divine Warrior: The appearance of the commander of the Lord’s army prefigures Christ as the divine warrior who leads His people in spiritual battles. This vision reinforces the concept of Jesus as a leader in the conquest over sin and death.

Divine Love and Its Implications

• God’s Care and Preparation: Each step the Israelites take under God’s direction—from circumcision to the cessation of manna—demonstrates His care in preparing them not just physically but spiritually for the life and challenges ahead.
• God’s Sovereignty and Involvement: The divine encounter Joshua experiences underscores God’s intimate involvement in the lives of His people and His sovereignty over all earthly affairs.

Contemporary Relevance

Why Joshua 5 Still Matters Today

• Identity and Commemoration: Just as circumcision and Passover defined the Israelites’ identity and commemorated their history, so do baptism and communion serve as rites for Christians today, symbolizing faith, community, and memory.
• Transition and Trust: The transition from manna to living off the land reflects times of change that require trust in God’s new provisions and plans. This encourages believers to embrace God’s provisions and directions, even when they alter from the familiar.
• Spiritual Leadership and Obedience: Joshua’s encounter teaches the importance of recognizing God’s ultimate command in our lives and endeavors. It reminds believers to seek divine direction and submit to God’s supreme authority.

Joshua 5 not only narrates crucial preparatory steps as the Israelites enter a new phase but also offers deep spiritual lessons on obedience, divine leadership, and the ever-present need to remember and rely on God.