Preparation for conquest

 Christ in all the scriptures

Gilgal   Joshua chapter 5

"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 5v8.

This is a pivotal time in Israel's history.  Gilgal became synonymous with repentance, refreshment, and revival.   The name means "rolling" or "rolling away", possibly a reference to the circle of stones from the Jordan, representing all the tribes of Israel, set as a monument to the power and presence of God among them.  This marks Gilgal as a new beginning for the nation as they entered the promised land.  The reproach of Egypt, having been slaves for four centuries, followed by aimless wandering for forty years, must have weighed very heavily on the people, but now it is in the past, and their future is the promised land. 

They had the fear factor to their credit, because the sight of several million over their border, particularly after the demonstrations of Divine power, instilled the fear of God in the inhabitants.  However they did not proceed. immediately,  with the invasion for they were not quite ready.  The chapter is all about preparation of heart before they proceed.  Three whole days they were made to wait, while there were flaws in the camp that needed correction.  A modern day comparison would be that before engaging a gospel campaign, for which Divine power is indispensable, we should deal with internal problems that exist.  There is no point in going forward when the Lord is not with us us in the exercise, for He is holy, and requires His warriors to be also.

The chapter divides readily into three sections, dealing with the deficiencies in their midst.

1)  The covenant of circumcision Joshua 5v2-9

2)  The celebration of the Passover  Joshua 5v10-12

4)  The commander of the Lord's armies  Joshua 5v13-15

The covenant of circumcision   5v2-9   The generation which came out of Egypt had all passed on in the wilderness, except for Joshua and Caleb.  It seems clear that the rite of circumcision had been abandoned in the wilderness, whether because of living conditions, or of rebellion, or both.  The second generation were uncircumcised, and according to the covenant with Abraham was a necessary part of their relationship with God (Genesis 17v9-12.  For forty years this had not been done, and must now be rectified if the Lord would go with them.  It seems absurd that an army facing the challenges of war would be asked to be so incapacitated, but they had to learn dependence on the Lord and not in their own power. Many struggle, today with the spiritual meaning of circumcision, but it is simply the cutting off of the flesh, symbolising the casting off of the works of sinful flesh as defined in Galatians 5v19-21.  It is important we understand that our faith in God demands a removal of these tendencies if we are to serve Him.  A study of each facet of what we are in the flesh, and a removal of those features that apply to us, would answer to biblical circumcision.

The celebration of the Passover  5v10-12   This was the first celebration of the Passover in the promised land.  It took place before they engaged in warfare, thus prioritising worship as the primary function of their existence.  Every tear, on the 14th day of the month Nisan they were to keep the memorial feast, recalling the slaying of the Lamb, and the application of the blood to avoid the vengeance of God against human sin.  This was followed by the eating of unleavened cakes, made from the old corn of the land, thus uniting Israel with the land in fellowship with the Lord.  The Manna, which had been their staple desert food for 40 years was now ceased and they fed on the good corn of the land.  Associated with the Passover was the eating of unleavened bread, in this case unleavened cakes.  In modern language, Christ did not die for our sins on the cross to enable us to continue in sin.  The application is made in 1st Corinthians 5v7/8 

"For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us: therefore let us keep the feast, not with the old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth".

Observance of our memorial occasions should have a moral effect on us.

The commander of the Lord of hosts  5v13-15    This pre-incarnate appearance of Christ to the commander of Israel's armies was crucial to their success.  Great military commander that he was (and Joshua had proved his military prowess against Amalek when Moses appointed him as commander-Exodus 17v8/16), yet he had to learn who it was who controlled the Divine conquests, without whom every one would fail.  Not knowing who He was, Joshua asked the wrong question, but he quickly realised he was in the presence of Divine majesty.  With a drawn sword in His hand, the Divine visitor revealed that He was "the captain of the host of the Lord".  Only one person could claim to be that and He controlled the armies of heaven.

When Jesus was on earth, He proclaimed that He had at His disposal "12 legions of angels"-(Matthew 26v53).  These were myriads of angels ready for war in the cause of God.  In Revelation 19v11-15, when He returns to earth, He commands the armies of heaven and appears with a drawn sword, He is ready for war in a time yet to come.  Joshua had to learn, as we have to learn, that all conquest is futile without the Captain of the army being present.  Joshua bowed his head and his heart in reverent worship, as we should do, acknowledging that any victory is because of Him!  Hr has already stripped the demonic powers at Calvary (Colossians 2v15);  He is the "captain of our salvation leading us to glory".  It was necessary for Joshua to understand His Lordship in principle and practice.  It is also necessary for us to know who is Lord if we are to be overcomers for Him.