Joshua 5 -- Putting Off The Old Life

"God's people must be prepared before they can be trusted with victory," my commentary said.  They'd just crossed the Jordan in another miracle from God, and all of the kings of the city-states in the Promised Land had heard about it and were now cringing at God's power.  Did they immediately attack?  No.  God first disabled their entire army.

The people weren't prepared.  The covenant needed to be renewed, because God had temporarily suspended His covenant with Israel after their refusal to enter the Promised Land at Kadesh Barnea.  No young men had been circumcised since that event.  They couldn't celebrate Passover without being circumcised.  So Joshua stopped everything and got it done at God's command.  The entire army was disabled for likely two weeks at a minimum!  This tested their faith.

It also pictured some important spiritual truths, according to my commentary.  "Israel's crossing of the Jordan River is a picture of believers dying to self and entering by faith into their inheritance ... God doesn't want us to wander in the wilderness of unbelief.  He wants us to claim our inheritance by faith, conquer our enemies, and enjoy the spiritual test that He has for those who walk by faith."

"The Christian's circumcision is internal, spiritual surgery on their hearts ... for the believer, the whole 'body of the sins of the flesh' was removed.  When you accept this fact and reckon on it, you have victory over sins of the flesh that would enslave you.  Faith in the working of God can give you overcoming power."

The manna ceased arriving on the day after Passover ... The manna reminded them of their desire to go back to Egypt ... God fed His people the bread of heaven ... and yet they lusted after the food of Egypt.  God easily took His people out of Egypt, but it was difficult for Him to take EGYPT out of His PEOPLE."  Too many professed Christians contradict their profession by exhibiting an appetite for what belongs to their past life... You've crossed the river and are now in your inheritance ... Don't look back and desire the things of Egypt or the wilderness.  Let God feed you and satisfy you with the harvest in the inheritance."

Father God, thank You for bringing me out of my Egypt and into my inheritance with You.  Keep me from wanting to remember that old life and even from desiring my old sins.  Lead me to let You alone feed me and satisfy me.

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford