Joshua 5:1-9
1 Now it came about when all the kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan to the west, and all the kings of the Canaanites who were by the sea, heard how the Lord had dried up the waters of the Jordan before the sons of Israel until they had crossed, that their hearts melted, and there was no spirit in them any longer because of the sons of Israel.
2 At that time the Lord said to Joshua, “Make for yourself flint knives and circumcise again the sons of Israel the second time.”
3 So Joshua made himself flint knives and circumcised the sons of Israel at Gibeath-haaraloth.
4 This is the reason why Joshua circumcised them: all the people who came out of Egypt who were males, all the men of war, died in the wilderness along the way after they came out of Egypt.
5 For all the people who came out were circumcised, but all the people who were born in the wilderness along the way as they came out of Egypt had not been circumcised.
6 For the sons of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, until all the nation, that is, the men of war who came out of Egypt, perished because they did not listen to the voice of the Lord, to whom the Lord had sworn that He would not let them see the land which the Lord had sworn to their fathers to give us, a land flowing with milk and honey.
7 So their children whom He raised up in their place, Joshua circumcised; for they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them along the way.
8 Now when they had finished circumcising all the nation, they remained in their places in the camp until they recovered.
9 Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the shame of Egypt from you.” So the name of that place is called Gilgal to this day.
The Renewal of Circumcision
After the crossing of the Jordan River
Now, the Israelites were set to begin the conquest of the promised land. The enemies (Amorites, Canaanites) had understood that the crossing of the Jordan River was a miracle of the Lord and was in great fear. However, it was at this time Joshua circumcised the Israelites. Why was this? (1) Circumcision is a sign of the Abrahamic covenant. The Israelites were promised the land of Canaan according to the Abrahamic covenant. (2) After exiting Egypt, the Israelites became unfaithful and sinned against the Lord at Kadesh-Barnea (Num. 13), and consequently, they wandered the desert for 40 years. Since then, the Israelites have been neglecting circumcision. (3) The Lord commanded the new generation of Israelites, led by Joshua, to circumcise themselves. This signifies that they are again in the position to inherit the Abrahamic covenant.
The reproach of Egypt
The new generation of Israelites circumcised themselves according to the Lord’s command. (1) This was a confirmation that they had inherited the Abrahamic covenant. (2) This prepared them to take part in the Passover meal, which will take place in the next section. (3) After getting circumcised, men were in pain for several days and immovable. It was dangerous to be before the enemy (ref. incident of Shechem in Gen. 34). However, by the Lord’s grace, the Israelites were protected from getting attacked. (4) This day became a memorial that God had rolled away “the reproach of Egypt” from Israel. “The reproach of Egypt” refers to the Egyptians’ mocking of the Israelites that God had led them out to the desert to bury them, for they did not have a grave in Egypt. (5) This site was already known as Gilgal, but from this day, a new significance was added to the name. Gilgal means “to roll,” as the reproach of Egypt was completely rolled away. Those who trust in the Lord and His promise will ultimately win. Then, as God did so for the Israelites, He will also roll away the “the reproach of Egypt” from our lives.
Today's prayer
God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Your covenant will surely be fulfilled. Let all the things You've arranged in my life bear fruit. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.