In Today's Scripture Reading:
Memorial at Gilgal; circumcision; Passover at Gilgal; manna ceases; Jericho besieged and destroyed
God said: I have given you the land to possess it (Numbers 33:53); but, the promises of God always include personal responsibilities for the receivers of those promises. Before going further into the land, the Lord said unto Joshua . . . circumcise again the children of Israel the second time (Joshua 5:2-5).
The rite of circumcision had been instituted by the Lord with Abraham, the father of the faithful, as a visible sign of the people's Covenant relationship with Him (Genesis 17:9-14). It was required before anyone could eat the Passover (Exodus 12:48). After being circumcised, the new generation became identified as the Lord's Covenant people and were qualified to keep the Passover (Joshua 5:8,10). The Passover commemorated the Lord's deliverance of His people from Egypt and pointed the way to the messianic Deliverer (I Corinthians 5:7). Circumcision and the Passover foreshadowed the ordinances (commands) of believer's baptism and the Lord's Supper for the Church.
At His last Passover, our Lord Jesus revealed that His death would fulfill and replace the Passover. The Apostle Paul spoke of this new Covenant, saying: That the Lord Jesus the same night in which He was betrayed took bread: And when He had given thanks, He brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is My body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of Me. After the same manner also He took the cup, when He had supped (finished eating), saying, This cup is the New Testament (Covenant) in My blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till He come (I Corinthians 11:23-26).
The Christian's circumcision is also explained by Paul: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened (made alive) together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses (Colossians 2:11-13).
Word Studies:
6:17,18 accursed =b> devoted for destruction, as set apart to the LORD (compare Leviticus 27:28); 6:26 adjured them =b> made them take an oath.
Christ Revealed:
As the Captain of the host of the LORD (Joshua 5:14). Christ is the Captain of our salvation (Hebrews 2:10).
Prayer Needs:
Pray for The Arabic International Shortwave Radio Broadcasts sponsored by Carl E. Miller Staff: Pam Pendergrast Government Officials: Sen. Tom Coburn (OK) and Rep. William Jefferson (LA) Country: Jamaica (3 million) in the West Indies Major languages: English and Creole Religious freedom 78% Protestant; 10% Roman Catholic; 7% Afro-American spiritist Prayer Suggestion: Trust in the Lord and wait upon Him in your prayers, for He will hear you (Micah 7:7).
Optional Reading: John 5
Memory Verse for the Week: II Peter 1:4
