Joshua 3-5 Into the Promised Land

Thoughts

Joshua 3

Joshua and the Israelites set out from Shittim and camp near the Jordan.

They are told to follow the priests carrying the ark and to stay back 2,000 cubits (1000 yards) from the ark.

They are also told to consecrate/sanctify themselves. We are not told what all happened, but it would probably be similar to Exodus 19 when Moses was told to consecrate the people by washing their clothes

God affirms Joshua’s leadership and Joshua tells the people they will see God work wonders.

Priests are told to stand still in the Jordan holding the ark.

Joshua says to take 12 men (one from each tribe) – which is a set up for the next chapter

As soon as the priests step into the water, the river stops. The people cross on dry ground while the priests stand in the middle.

It is mentioned that the Jordan overflows during harvest because of the spring rains or snow from Mt. Lebanon

See map below from Bible Quiz Map

Joshua 4

Here we see the reason for the 12 people mentioned in the previous chapter. Each of them are to take a stone to create a memorial for the generations.

40,000 were ready for battle

After everyone had crossed, the river returned to normal- no more turning back.

They were camped at Gilgal, where they would remain during their take over of the land.

The Hebrew word גִּלְגָּל (Gilgal) comes from the root גלל (galal), which means “to roll.” (the form used is (גָּלֹּותִי, galloti) ) . In the next chapter God says “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.”

Today was technically the day to select a lamb for Passover (10th day of the 1st month)

Joshua 5

The kings of the Amorites and Canaanites lose heart when they hear how God stopped the Jordan River. Word has already spread of this great God!

God commands the people to be circumcised at Gibeath-haaraloth (גִּבְעַת הָעֲרָלוֹת) (hill of the foreskins)

On the 14th day they celebrated Passover.
This Passover is the first one where they ate from God’s promise: food they didn’t grow and vineyards they didn’t plant

The manna stops the day after they eat produce from the land

Joshua meets a mysterious man with his sword drawn who says He is the ‘Commander of the Lord’s army’ – most likely pre-incarnate Jesus. Clues are that He accepted reverence (usually angels reject it (?) at least in Revelation to John) and He has Joshua take off his sandals due to holy ground.

Questions

What was reason for disobedience of not circumcising their children in the wilderness? Wouldn’t Moses be checking in?

Why does God talk to Joshua directly but also send Himself as a commander?

Application

There have been multiple times in the Torah and now here where God tells Israel to remember all He has done for them. Not only that, but to tell the generations to come. With the 12 stones, Israel set up a memorial of the next chapter into the Promised Land. A few weeks ago in church we were asked to write down on a notecard “I remember…” about something God has done in our life. I thought it was a great exercise, because how many times do we forget about the moments we so desperately prayed for? Take time out of your day to remember at least one thing God has done for you and show Him thankfulness.