05: Circumcise them once again (Josh 5:2 – 15)

The Lord asked them to be circumcised in front of their enemies. Let’s learn why.

πŸ‘‰ Read Joshua 5:2-15


Q1. What did they do after they crossed the Jordan? (two things)

The did circumcision and kept the Passover feast


Q2. Some were circumcised and some were not. Those younger than 40 were not circumcised. And those between 40 and 60 were circumcised in Egypt. Above 60, no one survived except Joshua and Caleb. Why did God ask those who were circumcised in Egypt to be circumcised again? (2, 6)

Their circumcision was nullified by the rebellion of their father's generation.

Though the parents' generation were circumcised, they rebelled against God at Kades Barnea. God swore that they would not enter Canaan. In this new generation who are entering the land, the Lord wanted to reinitiate the covenant of circumcision. 

Verse 9: “disgrace of Egypt” symbolizes the circumcision done by unbelieving parents in Egypt. It is known that the ancient Egyptians also performed circumcision on their boys between the ages of 6 and 12. But, God commanded the circumcision on the 8th day. They must have circumcised their sons not knowing the meaning of Abraham’s covenant (Gen 17) or just following Egyptian culture habitually. Such was shown through their rebellion. That’s why the Lord wanted to cut off the wrong tradition and influence from Egypt.



Q3. When did the Manna stop appearing? 

On the day they ate some of the land’s produce.

Eating from the land indicates owning the land. From now on, they need to work for a living.

On the Passover night, they came out of Egypt. On the Passover date, they entered Canaan. 



Q4. What command did the man with a sword give to Joshua?

Remove your sandals

It is an act of submission. The Canaanite conquest is God’s war. Anyone participating in this war should humble himself and follow God’s direction.

By having them undergo circumcision in front of their enemies, risking their national security, God was demanding a resolution of faith from them.




Note that the Lord asked them to circumcise again. And they kept the Passover. The commander of the Lord’s army asked Joshua to take off sandals. The Lord comes.

Isn’t it the time of renewal of your faith and commitment? If you eagerly await God’s power, do so.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

25: ‘Tell us plainly’ vs ‘The Father and I are one.’ (John 10:22 – 42)

As Jesus announced the Father and Jesus were one, the Jewish leaders tried to stone him. πŸ‘‰ Read John 10:22 - 42 Q1. Why did the Jewish leaders not believe in Jesus? Answers πŸ‘‰ They refused to believe in Jesus, for they were not Jesus’ sheep. ‘you refused to believe.’ This tells their willing refusal.  Note that Jesus Himself doesn’t call Himself the Messiah. Instead, He called Himself the One sent from God. He focused on doing the Father’s works and proclaiming His words. From Jesus’ works, they could have concluded that He was the Messiah sent from God. But they refused to admit it. Instead, they asked Jesus to admit His identity as the Messiah plainly, which Jesus wouldn’t do. Q2. They asked Jesus if He were the (           ). But Jesus claimed that the (          ) and He are one. Because of this, they condemned Him of (             ) and tried to stone Him. Answer πŸ‘‰ They asked Jesus if He were the ( Christ ). But Jesus claimed that the ( Father  ) and He are one
Read more

26: Other Laws concerning human life (#6 no murder) (Deut 21:1 – 22:8)

The command ‘do not murder’ should be extended to its full measure and completeness. They needed to remove the guilt of unresolved murder, keep the dignity of the female slave, respect the patrilineal inheritance, and preserve various lives. πŸ‘‰ Read Deuteronomy 21:1 - 22:8 When a homicide victim is found, and no one knows the murderer, the elders of the nearest town must do a ritual of atonement through the death of a heifer. What is the purpose of doing so? (7-9) If you had made your female slave your wife, you can divorce her but not (             ) her. For a man with two wives, if his less-loved wife’s son is the firstborn, let him inherit the (            ) portion. He should not show favoritism according to his affection for one of his wives. When a son doesn’t listen to his parent, he is like a glutton and (             ). Why should they not leave the corpse on the tree of execution overnight? When you see someone’s lost possession, do not (           ) it. You must not re
Read more

35: I am the True Vine. You are the Branches (John 15:1 – 17)

Image
The vine tree analogy so vividly illustrates our relationship with Jesus. As the branches of a vine share the life of the vine, we share and live from Jesus’ life. πŸ‘‰ Read John 15:1 - 17 Q1. Why do we need to remain in Jesus? (2, 4) Answers πŸ‘‰ To bear fruit. God takes away any branch that doesn’t bear fruit. We might debate the security of salvation: do we lose our salvation if we bear no fruit? However, it is better to focus on how to bear fruit rather than how to get salvation.  “You are clean already.” It would refer to a born-again status, a rightful relationship with the Father, one who bathed (13:10). John uses the imagery of cleanness for salvation. In the OT bible, one should be ritually clean to stand before God.  When we believe Jesus’ gospel, we are reconciled with the Father. Though sinners, we can approach God by Jesus’ blood. The pruning (lit. cleaning) (2) of our life is to make us bear more fruit. “Remain”: You should stay, not stop by. No plant produces fruit
Read more