Recall that in Joshua, Chapter 3, the Lord parts the Jordan and, in Chapter 4 the people memorialize the Lord’s provision as they see the dramatic unfolding of the promise. In Chapter 5 we see Joshua and the nation on the Canaan side of the River Jordan. We also are told that the kings of Canaan heard about the parting of the Jordan and were in great fear. We also learn that the Lord’s commands Joshua to circumcise the ‘sons of Israel.’
Though the text says, ‘circumcise the sons of Israel a second time’ it is not to be understood that they were already circumcised and were to be again circumcised. Obviously, from the rest of the passage, it becomes clear that their fathers, that rebellious generation, had not been circumcising their children during those years in the desert. Though it may have been inconvenient to circumcise their infant babies during their wanderings in the desert was certainly not a valid excuse since we know that the Lord does not command that which is harmful. No, the blame for not obeying the command to circumcise is properly put at the feet of that unfaithful generation.
Indeed, that older generation, though possessing all the marks of God’s covenant people, ‘… did not obey the voice of the LORD’ (verse 6). In 2 Corinthians 10, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Paul speaks of this generation, “I want you to know, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food,all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ., with most of them God was not pleased.” And in addition, the Apostle warns us that, “… these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.”
The point for us to consider is that though we may exhibit all the external signs of being a ‘Christian’ and hold membership among God’s flock, we may, at the same time, have no relationship with the Shepherd. We may live in God’s country but hate His rule. We can be fluent in ‘religious’ talk and scrupulously avoid all foul language; we may be able to explain correctly deep theological concepts; our lives may be praiseworthy examples of purity; yet not know Jesus Christ. This was apparently the situation with that original generation who the Lord, “would not let them see the land that the LORD had sworn to their fathers to give to us ...’ (verse 6). Note that that the first generation, who were formerly slaves in Egypt rescued by the Lord according to His covenant with Abraham, remained under the care and provision of God even though they showed no evidence of being God’s people. We may observe the same today as unbelieving church members gain some measure of ‘common’ grace, because of their association with the people of God, even though they do not have a relationship with Christ and do not share in the promise.
In contrast, the generation that had not been circumcised according to the Law, the Lord ‘raised up …’ (verse 7) a people to inherit the Promise! They had apparently been given ‘new natures’ that would enable them to love and obey their God (Deuteronomy 30:6). Both generations, those who rebelled in the desert, and those who stood on the far side of Jordan awaiting circumcision, deserved God’s judgment and eternal wrath. God was (and is!) merciful, according to the secret council of will, to save a great many—but not by, ‘the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God’ (John 1:12).
We may also consider that the Lord shows his steadfast love for his people – God promised to bring his people to the land – God always honors his promises. Though the first generation fell by unbelief, and therefore lost the right to inherit the land, God’s purpose was not thwarted. God doesn’t need a ‘plan-B’ in case people fail to cooperate. Men may fail to gain the benefits of the covenant by unbelief, but human unbelief may never negate the promise. Indeed, we may fail to gain the benefits of the covenant by our own unbelief - even as believers we often live with the consequences of our failure to trust and obey! Even so, the Lord sustains his people and if we are truly trusting in Christ alone, even our disobedience will not void his promise to us. Though we rest in the promises of God we also take care to examine ourselves to be sure we are truly trusting in Christ.
There is also another thing to consider here. That is though we may have unbelieving parents or parents who did not raise us in obedience to the commandments, we may still, by the mercy of God, become inheritors of the promise. This second generation, though their parents were condemned because of their unbelief, were ‘raised up’ (verse 7) by God as inheritors of his Promise. Though their parents did not have them circumcised in obedience to God’s Law, they did not inevitably fall into the sins of their fathers. This is a great assurance since many of us had ungodly parents, and many of us have been ungodly parents to our children. By God’s grace we may find hope in either one of these situations.
Puritan John Brown of Haddington (1780’s) wrote on this passage,
“the sins of the parents often, in a fearful manner, bereave their children of the seals of God’s covenant, or their happy virtue: but his mercy can remove the reproach and plague in his time. And by circumcision of their hearts, by feasting them on the flesh and blood of his Son, by giving them foretastes of the heavenly joys, and manifestations of himself as their leader and protector, he must prepare his people for their spiritual warfare such then as would courageously fight his battles should first solemnly devote themselves to him, and act faith upon him, in the use of his sacraments. But let us use the gospel manna while we have it; the time is at hand when it shall be no more offered …”
As to the actual circumcision we wonder why, as these folks were now on the ‘enemy’ side of the Jordan River, the Lord would choose to have them circumcised in such an unsecure location. Surely, the fighting men would have been incapacitated for at least a few days during their recovery. It is not reasonable to assume the surrounding Canaanites might take this opportunity to attack this ‘undefended invader’? Why not perform the surgery in the ‘safety’ of the opposite side of the Jordan before entering hostile territory? Or perhaps why not wait till after they had eliminated all enemy forces? Why not take the advantage of the high spirits of the people and attack the Canaanites now that their Kings were in such fear and trembling (verse 1)? Though the text doesn’t give a reason is it possible that the Lord is again demonstrating his preeminence in this situation? – He promised to protect them and this event is another reminder that they are to be confident in the Lord, and not to rely on strength of arms. Again the New Testament brings some clarity:
“For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh …” (2 Corinthians 10:4)
This, of course, is a re-occurring theme in the book of Joshua – God provides and protects – God’s people are to watch, and observe, and obey. In an age of pragmatism where we are urged to use whatever method seems likely to be successful this passage is a reminder that we need to trust the Lord and His commands rather than our own reasoning. We are often in a hurry to get results and move forward but our view, distorted by our self-imposed deadlines; our desire to please people; a desire to please our own egos; even our sincere desires to see the church and the gospel expand - may not be the Lord’s way. As we see from this section of the book of Joshua, the Lord does all things in His time and in His way. It does not appear that Joshua and the people were acting out of pragmatism or self-willed presumption! What we do see in this narrative is a people prepared to thoughtfully obey the commands of the Lord. May we also always trust and obey our Lord and Redeemer, Jesus Christ!
Next month we will look at the ending of the Lord’s provision of manna and the amazing appearance of the magnificent Commander of the Lord’s Army!
Robin
