Living FaithfullySýnishorn

Faith Victorious  

After Israel crossed the Jordan into the Promised Land, God commanded the entire army to be circumcised. They had not practiced circumcision in the wilderness (Joshua 5). This made the army vulnerable for several days while very close to Jericho. It took enormous faith to obey God on this occasion. 

Immediately after crossing into the land, Israel celebrated the Passover (Joshua 5:10–12). During this Passover they ate the food of the Promised Land, the land of milk and honey, for the first time. And within a day, the manna which God had so faithfully provided through the years stopped.

Joshua went out to look at Jericho, and there he encountered a “man” girded for war with a sword drawn in His hand. Being strong and courageous, Joshua confronted Him and asked whose side He was on. The man replied that this was the wrong question, and that He had come as commander of the Lord’s army. This was the Angel of the Lord who had promised to lead Israel to victory (Exodus 23:20–23). So the right question was: Whose side are you on, Joshua? 

Joshua fell down and worshiped Him and asked for His orders. The Lord told him to take off his sandals because he was on holy ground. Moses had removed his shoes at the burning bush (Exodus 3:5). We know that the priests in the tabernacle also went barefoot. Exodus 28 and 39 describe the holy garments of the priests, and there were no sandals for them. And so, Joshua removed his sandals in the presence of God. 

Here is the key to victory. Joshua recognized that being commander of the army did not give him the right to do as he pleased. He was merely the lieutenant of the Great Commander, and he readily submitted his plans to those of the Lord. Moreover, Joshua recognized that the key to victory is worship. He welcomed the opportunity to come onto holy ground and worship the Lord, who was his source of strength and wisdom. 

God’s army had been baptized (crossing the river and circumcision) and fed at the Lord’s Table (Passover). Now they were ready to march forth and conquer by faith.

Coram Deo  

Hebrews 11:30 says that Jericho’s walls fell “by faith.” In Joshua 5 the people’s faith was strengthened by practicing circumcision and Passover. If you don’t see the connection between these and the sacraments of baptism and communion in your daily faith, ask your pastor to teach a class on this important subject.