https://esv.literalword.com/?q=Joshua+5
Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Saturday, 31 May 2025:
Joshua 5:1 – “As soon as all the kings… heard that the LORD had dried up the waters of the Jordan… their hearts melted.”
Remember, in our study of both Genesis 40 and Joshua 3, we said that in our circumstances, God is always sovereignly working to do five things at once: 1) reveal Himself to you in a greater way, 2) reveal you to yourself so you can see where you still need to grow in Christlike character, 3) reveal Himself to others through His interaction with you (glorifying Himself), 4) using you as an instrument of His grace into the lives of others, and 5) preparing you for greater works ahead.
We already discussed the impact the miraculous crossing of the Jordan had on the Israelites, God revealing Himself to this new generation of Israelites and helping the Israelites confront their fears but also to see the power of faith. However, today, we see the impact this miraculous crossing had on the Canaanites who were watching closely from a distance. The Canaanites worshipped Baal who was depicted as a god of water, storms, and fertility, often represented as a powerful warrior. So, imagine how confident the Canaanites felt in Baal when the Jordan River flooded just as the Israelites approached. However, imagine how they felt when those waters miraculously parted – “their hearts melted.”
So, consider again how this played out. God gave the Israelites a seemingly impossible task: cross the rushing waters of the flooded Jordan; the Israelites stepped out in faithful obedience; the waters miraculously parted; and God was glorified before both the Israelites and the Canaanites – the Israelites were emboldened, and the Canaanites were disheartened. God was making it clear: He is God and victory is within His will and power, not in false beliefs and human power. We experience His miraculous power when we step out in faith and obedience, despite apparent odds or obstacles, and He works in ways only possible for Him so that He would be glorified, not us. We don’t always see what our obedience does to the spiritual atmosphere, but God is always working ahead of us.
- Exodus 15:14–16 – “The peoples have heard; they tremble… by the greatness of your arm they are still as a stone.”
- Romans 8:31 – “If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Joshua 5:2–9 – “At that time the LORD said to Joshua, ‘Make flint knives and circumcise the sons of Israel again.’”
Before taking the land, the Lord commands Israel to renew their covenant through circumcision. For 40 years, the wandering generation had neglected this sign of belonging. But now, on the edge of battle, God calls His people to be marked again. It was “at that time” the Lord commanded the Israelites to do something which would make absolutely no sense to anyone – incapacitate all of your fighting men immediately upon entering enemy territory. However, the strength of the Israelites depended, not in their physical strength or cunning but rather in their relationship with the Almighty. The Israelites were about to confront mighty, powerful armies in a foreign land – step one: recommit yourself to the Lord.
- Psalm 20:7 — Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
Obedience comes before victory. This painful act required faith—they were vulnerable during healing—but it was necessary. God’s people must be consecrated before they are commissioned. Today, our “circumcision” is spiritual: a cutting away of sin, pride, and self-sufficiency so that we can walk in purity and dependence on Christ.
- Genesis 17:10–11 – “This is my covenant… every male among you shall be circumcised.”
- Romans 2:29 – “…circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit…”
Joshua 5:10–12 – “They kept the Passover… and the manna ceased… they ate of the produce of the land.”
This moment is a turning point. For the first time in the Promised Land, Israel celebrates Passover, remembering their deliverance from Egypt. Then the manna—God’s wilderness provision—ceases. From now on, they will eat the fruit of the land. God changes how He provides depending on the season. In the wilderness, He gave daily provision. In the land, He gives lasting fruit which must be cultivated. Manna represents God’s sustaining grace in seasons of survival; the produce of the land represents growth, maturity, and promise. But both come from His hand. Remember what God is doing in your life, He is building you up on Christlike character, which means He expects you to grow up. He doesn’t intend to spoon feed you forever. As you mature, He expects you to do what is required without being babied. Are you preparing for greater assignments, and do you really want them so that you can grow in Christlike character and unity with Him?
- I Corinthians 3:1-3 — But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?
- Exodus 16:35 – “The people of Israel ate the manna forty years… until they came to a habitable land.”
- John 6:35 – “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger…”
Joshua 5:13-15 – “When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, ‘Are you for us, or for our adversaries?’ And he said, ‘No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.’ And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, ‘What does my lord say to his servant?’ And the commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, ‘Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.’ And Joshua did so.
Preparing to attack the mighty city of Jericho, Joshua encounters a man standing with his sword drawn (noticeably not sheathed). I don’t think this was an angel but rather Jesus Himself, a theophany. Why? This is one of two times in the Bible when a servant of God is commanded to take off His shoes while on holy ground — Moses at the Burning Bush, and now Joshua before the Man. Throughout the remainder of the Bible, angels tell people not to worship them.
The Man identifies Himself as “The Commander of the Lord’s Army” – the outcome of the impending battle does not rest in the hands of men. (see also 2 Chronicles 2:15; 1 Corinthians 15:57; Psalm 146:3; Proverbs 21:31; and Revelation 19) Joshua asks, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” The Commander of the Lord’s Army simply replies, “No.” Joshua was missing the point. The battle ahead was not intended to fulfill the desires of people but rather God’s will and ultimate plan of redemption.
Joshua’s encounter with the Man gives us an important lesson about our conflicts with others – It is never about us or them, rather always about Him. We have been appointed as ambassadors for Christ, entrusted with His message of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5) We are never to be ambassadors for self or anything else. We are not called to win arguments, but rather to win souls – “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise.” (Proverbs 11:30) When we prioritize the “issue” over the Gospel, we take the focus off of Jesus, and we scatter rather than gather – “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” (Matthew 12:30)
Also, we are not called to win the day on our own power, it is God’s power that prevails. “For the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.” (Deuteronomy 20:4) “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20) Through the power and authority of Jesus Christ, we have been appointed to proclaim the Gospel boldly, but it is the power of the Holy Spirit which convicts souls and saves. God uses the faithful, not necessarily the talented. You need simply to be faithful, and trust God with the results.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 31 May 2025: “No; but I am the commander of the army of the LORD.” (Joshua 5:14) Are you asking God to bless your plans—or are you surrendering to His command? Today, take time to remove your sandals: lay down your own strategy, agenda, or expectation. Ask: Lord, what does obedience look like today? Write down an area where God is calling you to deeper consecration. Then worship—because your next victory begins with surrender.
Pray: Lord, I don’t want You to join my battles—I want to join Yours. Cut away anything in me that doesn’t belong. Teach me to live in step with Your Spirit, to trust Your provision, and to bow in reverence to Your authority. You are the true Commander. I surrender. Amen.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 