Renewal and Divine Encounter

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Joshua 5 follows Israel's miraculous crossing of the Jordan River, a defining moment that demonstrated God's power and faithfulness. The previous chapter recounts this crossing, which fulfilled God's promise to bring His people into the land He swore to their ancestors. Now, Israel stands on the threshold of Canaan, facing new challenges and responsibilities. Understanding the covenant renewal and spiritual preparation in this chapter helps us see how God readies His people for the next phase of His redemptive plan.

What You'll Learn

• How circumcision served as a covenant sign renewing Israel's identity before entering Canaan.
• The significance of celebrating Passover in the Promised Land for Israel's spiritual heritage.
• Why the cessation of manna symbolizes God's provision transition from wilderness to land.
• The meaning of Joshua's encounter with the Lord's commander and its call to holiness.
• How God's faithfulness is demonstrated through fulfilling promises despite Israel's past failures.
• The role of obedience and spiritual preparation in receiving God's blessings and victory.

God renews His covenant people and reveals His holiness as they prepare to possess the Promised Land.

Bible Translation Note: All Scripture on this page is quoted from the King James Version (KJV) and presented in full without alteration.

Joshua 5:1 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.

Joshua 5:2 At that time the LORD said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time.

Joshua 5:3 And Joshua made him sharp knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at the hill of the foreskins.

Joshua 5:4 And this is the cause why Joshua did circumcise: All the people that came out of Egypt, that were males, even all the men of war, died in the wilderness by the way, after they came out of Egypt.

Joshua 5:5 Now all the people that came out were circumcised: but all the people that were born in the wilderness by the way as they came forth out of Egypt, them they had not circumcised.

Joshua 5:6 For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people that were men of war, which came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: unto whom the LORD sware that he would not shew them the land, which the LORD sware unto their fathers that he would give us, a land that floweth with milk and honey.

Joshua 5:7 And their children, whom he raised up in their stead, them Joshua circumcised: for they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them by the way.

Joshua 5:8 And it came to pass, when they had done circumcising all the people, that they abode in their places in the camp, till they were whole.

Joshua 5:9 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.

Joshua 5:10 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.

Joshua 5:11 And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the passover, unleavened cakes, and parched corn in the selfsame day.

Joshua 5:12 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.

Joshua 5:13 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?

Joshua 5:14 And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?

Joshua 5:15 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.

Joshua 5:1

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.

Study: The fear that seized the Amorite and Canaanite kings reveals how God's miraculous power over the Jordan River intimidated Israel's enemies. Their hearts melting and loss of spirit show the psychological impact of God's intervention, underscoring His sovereignty in battle and the fulfillment of His promise to Israel. This sets the stage for Israel's confident advance into the land.

Joshua 5:2

At that time the LORD said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time.

Study: God commands Joshua to circumcise Israel again, signaling a spiritual renewal necessary before entering Canaan. This second circumcision was not merely ritual but a covenantal recommitment, emphasizing holiness and obedience. It reminds us that entering God's promises requires a heart aligned with His covenant.

Joshua 5:3

And Joshua made him sharp knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at the hill of the foreskins.

Study: Joshua obeys God's command by preparing sharp knives and circumcising the people at the 'hill of the foreskins,' a place named for this event. This act physically and symbolically removes the old generation's disobedience, marking a fresh start for the new generation born in the wilderness.

Joshua 5:4

And this is the cause why Joshua did circumcise: All the people that came out of Egypt, that were males, even all the men of war, died in the wilderness by the way, after they came out of Egypt.

Study: The reason for the circumcision is explained: the original generation that left Egypt died in the wilderness due to disobedience. This highlights God's justice and faithfulness to His word, as He fulfills His promise to give the land to their descendants who would obey Him.

Joshua 5:5

Now all the people that came out were circumcised: but all the people that were born in the wilderness by the way as they came forth out of Egypt, them they had not circumcised.

Study: All the original men who left Egypt were circumcised, but those born in the wilderness were not, showing a generational shift. Circumcising the new generation was essential to fully incorporate them into the covenant community, emphasizing the importance of covenant identity for God's people.

Joshua 5:6

For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people that were men of war, which came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: unto whom the LORD sware that he would not shew them the land, which the LORD sware unto their fathers that he would give us, a land that floweth with milk and honey.

Study: The forty years of wilderness wandering served as a period of judgment and preparation because the first generation disobeyed God. This verse reminds us of God's holiness and the consequences of rebellion, while also affirming His faithfulness to the covenant promises made to the patriarchs.

Joshua 5:7

And their children, whom he raised up in their stead, them Joshua circumcised: for they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them by the way.

Study: Joshua circumcises the children born during the wilderness journey, who had not been circumcised before. This act symbolizes the renewal of the covenant community and God's ongoing work in raising a faithful generation to inherit the land.

Joshua 5:8

And it came to pass, when they had done circumcising all the people, that they abode in their places in the camp, till they were whole.

Study: After circumcision, the people remain in camp until healed, showing God's care for their physical and spiritual readiness. This pause underscores the seriousness of covenant renewal and the need for wholeness before advancing in God's plan.

Joshua 5:9

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.

Study: God declares that He has rolled away the reproach of Egypt, signifying the removal of shame and past failures from Israel. Naming the place Gilgal memorializes this new beginning, highlighting God's grace and the fresh start He provides when His people repent and obey.

Joshua 5:10

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.

Study: Israel's observance of Passover at Gilgal marks their first celebration in the Promised Land, connecting their deliverance from Egypt to their new inheritance. This act reaffirms God's covenant faithfulness and Israel's identity as His redeemed people.

Joshua 5:11

And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the passover, unleavened cakes, and parched corn in the selfsame day.

Study: Eating the old corn of the land immediately after Passover symbolizes Israel's transition from dependence on God's miraculous provision to enjoying the fruits of the land He promised. This moment celebrates God's faithfulness and the tangible blessings of obedience.

Joshua 5:12

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.

Study: The cessation of manna the day after eating the land's produce signifies the end of God's miraculous wilderness provision. This shift marks a new phase where Israel must trust God's ongoing provision through the land itself, illustrating God's faithfulness and the importance of trusting Him in every season.

Joshua 5:13

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?

Study: Joshua's encounter with a man holding a drawn sword near Jericho introduces a divine messenger, signaling God's direct involvement in the upcoming conquest. Joshua's question about allegiance reflects the tension and uncertainty before battle, emphasizing the need to discern God's presence and guidance.

Joshua 5:14

And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?

Study: The man identifies himself as the captain of the LORD's host, revealing a theophany—God's presence in a warrior form. Joshua's worship response shows reverence and submission, reminding us that God's presence commands humility and obedience in the face of spiritual battles.

Joshua 5:15

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.

Study: The command to remove Joshua's shoe because the ground is holy echoes Moses' encounter at the burning bush, connecting God's holiness with the land. This act teaches reverence for God's presence and the sacredness of the mission ahead, encouraging believers to approach God's work with awe and respect.

Joshua 5 marks a critical transition for Israel as they prepare to possess the Promised Land. The chapter begins with the fear of surrounding kings after Israel's miraculous crossing of the Jordan. God commands a renewal of the covenant through circumcision, symbolizing a fresh start for the new generation. Israel celebrates Passover in Canaan, signaling their identity as God's redeemed people. The manna ceases, marking a shift to dependence on the land's provision. Finally, Joshua encounters the Lord's commander, emphasizing God's holiness and presence as Israel faces Jericho. This chapter highlights spiritual renewal, obedience, and God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises.

Lord, help us to renew our hearts and covenant with You as Israel did before entering the Promised Land. Teach us to walk in obedience and reverence, trusting Your provision and presence in every season. May we recognize Your holiness and respond with worship and faith as we face the challenges ahead. Strengthen us to live as Your covenant people, confident in Your promises and power. Amen.

• Pray daily for a renewed commitment to God's covenant in your life.
• Read and meditate on the story of Israel's crossing into Canaan and their covenant renewal.
• Celebrate a personal or family 'Passover' moment by recalling God's faithfulness.
• Journal about areas where God is calling you to trust Him more fully.
• Practice reverence in worship by setting aside distractions and focusing on God's holiness.
• Share with a friend or group how God has provided for you in recent seasons.
• Reflect on the significance of obedience and covenant identity in your spiritual journey.

Joshua 5 reveals God's faithfulness in preparing His people to inherit the Promised Land through covenant renewal, worship, and divine encounter. Israel's circumcision and Passover celebration symbolize a fresh start, while the cessation of manna and Joshua's meeting with the Lord's commander emphasize God's provision and holiness. This chapter challenges believers to embrace spiritual renewal, trust God's promises, and approach His presence with reverence as they step into new seasons of blessing and responsibility.

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