Take Two: Joshua 5, Proverbs 28

In the fifth chapter of Joshua, we are introduced to another activity that took place at Gilgal. The narrative begins in v.1 where we see that the kings of the people of the land were dismayed in their hearts. They had seen and heard how the Lord was bringing victory to Israel in the conquest of the land. Even before the first battle, they could see the hand of God bringing victory.

In vv.2-9 we see a great battle plan. Rather than capitalizing on the demoralized state of the Amorites and the Canaanites, the people paused. God instructed Joshua to circumcize all of the men. Remember that circumcision is a sign of the covenant. All of those who were born during the 40 years of desert wandering had not taken on the sign of the covenant. Before God begins to bring a victory in the land, He instructed that the men take on the sign.

Now we know that this was an incapacitating act, because the people camped at Gilgal to heal. This cannot be seen as a strong show of military strength. It made no sense by any human standard. It was an act of worshipful obedience. We are called to obey God in areas of our lives that don't make sense to us. Yet...they always make sense to God and are statements of trust and worship.

I have been discussing a stronghold of finances for several weeks at the church I serve as pastor. I know personally how difficult it was for me to be obedient in this area. However, I came to the place of trusting God. My trust yielded great victory and provided the opportunity for God to once again demonstrate His ability, desire, and willingness to provide. I am watching people struggle in this area even now. Obedience doesn't make sense based on the numbers in the checkbook. But God is not defined by our account balances and the results of obedience aren't factored into our logic.

In the same attitude, the people paused in their activities and chose to worship in their obedience and submission before God here at Gilgal. On that day, God rolled away the reproach of 40 years and they began afresh (v.9).

In vv.10-12 we see the observance of the Passover. Having built a Memorial and taken on the sign of the covenant...it was important to see again that victory does not come through human wisdom or sheer might, but by the Grace of God. The annual feast of the Passover was given as a reminder of this.

VV.13-15 are transitional and could be discussed in Ch 6. It is the narrative of the encounter between Joshua and the pre-incarate Christ. This is what is called a "Christophany." I say this is a transitional passage because, like the verses before it..it is a picture of God's ability and activity that will bring a victory for Israel. It also introduces the battle plan that will be carried out in Ch 6 that involves the actions of the people in the unfolding of God's plan.

Always bear in mind what we will see over and over in this book. God brings victory; but, He most often does it through people. God desires to bring victory in your life...but He does that as you trust and obey Him. He gives victory over temptation by providing a way out...not by removing temptation (1 Cor 10:13). He conquers the land before us through our obedience to follow His directions, not in spite of it. It is clearly a victory that results from Grace...but entails a divine COOPERATION.

Proverbs 28:1 is the takeaway today. "The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, but the righteous are bold as a lion." When in Africa several years ago, we went on a photo safari in a game preserve. We saw many animals that I am fascinated by (including my favorite-- the Rhino). We saw a couple of lions as well and the experience came to mind as I read this today.

No matter what was going on around them, the lions never seemed to get frazzled. They never seemed anxious that a "Kudoo" (a deer) might get the jump on them. They did not seem intimidated by Zebra gangs in the neighborhood. They were always steady...as if they drew confidence from the fact that they were at the top of the food chain. The Kudoos and Zebras on the other hand...they were always a little nervous. Constantly scanning the horizon, flinching at every sound...and running away...even when a predator had not presented itself (just in case).

Such is the action of the unjust/wicked in this case. I am reminded of the times in my life when I knew I was wrong (sinning) and was just waiting for my sins to "find me out." I lived on edge and quite miserably too. At the same time, I know what it is to live clean. To have no unconfessed sin in my life. To not worry about being found out...because there is nothing to find. Just as this proverb implies...the latter is far greater than the former.

Grace,