PROLOGUE — An Unexpected Pause Right Before War
Joshua 5, standing at the very threshold of the conquest of Jericho, halts military action to focus instead on three acts of spiritual preparation — circumcision, Passover, and an encounter with the commander of the LORD’s army. This shows that the success of the conquest depended not on military strategy, but on covenant purity and obedience.
ACT ONE — The Fear of the Canaanite Kings (verse 1)
“And it came to pass, when all the kings of the Amorites, which were on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, which were by the sea, heard that the LORD had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel.”
Their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them. The miracle of crossing the Jordan had already sent psychological shockwaves throughout all of Canaan — the very fear Rahab prophesied in chapter 2 was now becoming reality.
ACT TWO — Circumcision Renewed at Gilgal (verses 2–9)
At this very decisive moment, God gave an unexpected command.
“At that time the LORD said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time.”
Circumcise again. The generation born in the wilderness remained uncircumcised. Joshua, with the enemy in plain sight, obeyed this command that could temporarily weaken his fighting force — a remarkably risky choice by military logic.
The reason is clearly explained.
“And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you. Wherefore the name of the place is called Gilgal unto this day.”
I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt. Circumcision was never merely a ritual regulation — it was a symbolic act removing the last trace of Egyptian bondage. Israel was now entering the promised land with an entirely new identity.
ACT THREE — Passover, and the Ceasing of the Manna (verses 10–12)
“And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho. And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the passover… And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.”
The manna ceased. This transition is deeply symbolic — the supernatural provision of the wilderness (manna) was replaced, at precisely that moment, by the natural produce of the promised land. God’s method of provision changed, but the provision itself never once stopped.
ACT FOUR — The Encounter with the Commander of the LORD’s Army (verses 13–15)
The most mysterious and reverent moment of this chapter appears at the close.
“And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come.”
Art thou for us… Nay. This answer to Joshua’s question — whose side are you on — is profound. God was never a being who takes a “side” — He is the sovereign who comes for His own purposes. Even Israel could not draw God to their own side — rather, Israel had to stand on God’s side.
Joshua’s response was immediate.
“And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him… And the captain of the LORD’s host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.”
Loose thy shoe from off thy foot. This command exactly echoes the one Moses received before the burning bush in Exodus 3. Joshua’s leadership stood in continuity with that of Moses, and this holy encounter was the final moment of reverence before the conquest began.
REFLECTION — Purity and Obedience Needed Before Battle
What Joshua 5 teaches us is that the moment before a great victory is precisely when spiritual preparation — purity, remembrance, reverence — becomes even more important. Israel did not rush into military action; instead, they paused to be circumcised, to keep Passover, and to remove their shoes before a holy presence.
Facing an important challenge in your life, do you stand first in a place of spiritual purity and reverence, rather than rushing ahead?
NEXT EPISODE PREVIEW
Joshua Chapter 6 — the dramatic conquest event where the walls of Jericho fall at the sound of trumpets unfolds.
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