Charles Spurgeon - the great preacher - shared a story about a young man who desired to go to India as a missionary with the London Missionary Society.  A Mr. Wilks was appointed by the society to examine the young man’s readiness for the mission.  Mr. Wilks wrote to the young man, and told him to call on him at six o’clock the next morning.

Although the applicant lived many miles away, he was at the house punctually at six o’clock and was ushered into the drawing room.  He waited - and waited - and waited - and waited - wondering, but patiently waiting.  Finally Mr. Wilks entered the room about mid-morning.

Without apology, Mr. Wilks began, “Well, young man, so you want to be a missionary?”

“Yes, sir, I do.”

“Do you love the Lord Jesus Christ?”

“Yes, sir, I certainly do.”

“And have you any education?”

“Yes, sir, a little.”

“Well, now, we’ll try you; can you spell ‘cat’?”

The young man looked confused.  How do you answer such a preposterous question?  His mind evidently halted between indignation and submission.  In a moment he replied steadily, “C - a - t, cat.”

“Very good,” said Mr. Wilks.  “Now, can you spell ‘dog’?”

The applicant was stunned but replied, “D - o - g, dog.”

“Well, that is right; I see you will do in your spelling, and now for your arithmetic; how much is two times two?”

The young applicant gave the right reply and was dismissed.  How’d you like that for a job interview?

Mr. Wilks gave his report at the missions society.  He said, “I cordially recommend that young man; his testimony and character I have duly examined.  I tried his self-denial, he was up in the morning early;  I tried his patience by keeping him waiting; I tried his humility and temper by insulting his intelligence.  He will do just fine.”  (1)

This morning we’re coming to Joshua chapter 5.  As we’ve been looking at the Book of Joshua, we’ve been seeing that the account of Joshua is about real people facing enormous challenges and learning to trust God along the way.

Coming to chapter 5 - God has brought His people through the Jordan River to a place called Gilgal.  They are poised - ready to attack Jericho - the first city on the list of cities to be conquered.  But rather than move forward with the conquest - God gives His people a test of the heart.  An examination to help them see - to help us see - what’s really important as we move forward trusting God.

Joshua 5 - verse 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.

Let’s not miss the reaction of Israel’s enemies.

The people on the west side of the Jordan River had heard about the Hebrew God drying up the Red Sea.  Heard about how the Hebrew God had miraculously delivered His people from Egypt.  They’d been keeping track of this large nomadic nation as they’d wandered in the wilderness for 40 years.

Then they’d seen these people mow down their enemies - the Amorite kings on the east side of the Jordan River - Sihon and Og.  Leveled their cities.  Destroyed their kingdoms. 

Its spring.  The Jordan River - usually not more than a stream is now a what?  a raging torrent of death.  The Amorites and Canaanites are probably thinking, “The river will hold them.  We’ve got a chance.”  The river is kind of like a moat - an uncrossable barrier to hide behind.

But the Hebrew God parts the river.  His people cross.  They’re battle hardened.  Ready for conquest.  Armed and dangerous.  The hearts of the Amorites and Canaanites just melt.  The wind gets knocked out of them.   There’s no hope.  No fight left.   They’re dead meat and they know it. 

Verse 2:  At that time the Lord said to Joshua, “Make for yourself flint knives and circumcise the sons of Israel the second time.”  So Joshua made himself flint knives and circumcised the sons of Israel at Gibeath-haaraloth - which literally means “hill of the foreskins.”

When Abraham made the journey from Ur - think southern Iraq - on the journey from Ur to Canaan - what would be the Promised Land - in Genesis 12 God called Abraham into a covenant relationship with Him.  In Genesis 17 God made circumcision the sign of that covenant relationship. 

Circumcision is personal - private - intimate.  Every Hebrew male - the heads of the nation and each household - bore a sign that reminded them - personally - that they were part of that covenant.

While the people around them worshipped idols in sexually depraved ways - God’s people - their bodies - their very souls - belonged to God.  Circumcision reminded God’s people that they were holy - chosen - set-apart by God and they need to remain pure in their relationship with Him.

Verse 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.  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.  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 mild and honey.  Their children whom He raise up in their place, Joshua circumcised; for they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them along the way.

For some reason - we’re not sure why - the Hebrews hadn’t circumcised their children while they were wandering in the wilderness.  It probably has to do with the sin and rebellion of God’s people - their disobedience towards God.  Whatever the reason we need to notice that they weren’t circumcised.

And second - what’s important is not why they didn’t do it.  But, why - here at this time - God commands them to renew the rite of circumcision.  The renewal of this act - symbolizing the relationship of God and His people - the renewal of circumcision takes place on the west side of the Jordan River.  Hang onto that.  Circumcision takes place on the west bank.  Say that with me, “Circumcision takes place on the west bank.”

Verse 8:  Now when they had finished circumcising all the nation, they remained in their places in camp until they were healed.  Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.”  So the name of that place is called Gilgal to this day.

Notice two things.

First:  This has got to be the worst battle strategy.

There’s that saying in the military,  “Hurry up and - what?  wait.”

The people are saying, “Let’s roll.  The Amorites - the Canaanites - they’re cowering in fear.  Now’s the time to attack.”  But God says, “Wait.  Get circumcised first.  Circumcise all the sons of Israel.”

God is the inventor of weird battle strategies.  Right?  Gideon - 300 men - some pots and torches - against uncountable armed to the teeth Midian and Amalekite soldiers.  The God of the creation - dying on a cross - to save humanity in rebellion.

Circumcision slows you down.  These guys aren’t going to be fighting any battles for a while.  More than one Hebrew probably asked the question, “Why couldn’t we have done this on the east side of the river?”  Right now we’re sitting ducks.

It is a tremendous act of faith in God that the people went along with this.  Obeying God.  Trusting Him.  In pain.  Vulnerable to attack.  Waiting to heal.

Second notice:  God’s purpose.  Say that with me, “God’s purpose.”  The reproach of Egypt is rolled away.

Gilgal - is the place where God’s people set up camp after they crossed the Jordan River.  It becomes a base of operations for God’s people once they enter the land.  It was at Gilgal that the memorial - the 12 stones from the riverbed - were set up.  Remember this?  The name Gilgal literally means, “The reproach has been rolled away.”  Say that with me, “The reproach has been rolled away.”

The reproach of Egypt is that God’s people were a nation of slaves - bound - without hope of ever reaching God’s promised land.

When God’s people stepped forward in faith and came through the Jordan River they entered a new life.  The Promised Land is a land of great promise for God’s people.  When they stepped onto that land God closed the river behind them - retreat is cut off - what existed on the east side of the river no longer matters.  Slavery in Egypt.  Whatever sins were brought into the wilderness.  The reproach of 40 years of wandering - the shame - the guilt - the humiliation - the failure - its all rolled away.

The renewal of circumcision takes place on the west bank of the Jordan River so that the people will understand what God has done.  Its crucial that the people understand that.  It is crucial that we understand that.  What God has done.

2 Sunday’s ago we were out at Lake Yosemite.  As part of our Service of Worship we heard Lauren and Joey give their testimonies - testimonies of their faith in Jesus and what God has been doing in their lives.  We watched as they were baptized as a demonstration of their faith.

Baptism is more than taking a shower with a raincoat on.  Right?  Showering with a raincoat on doesn’t get to the dirt.  Baptism isn’t about washing stuff off the outside of us.  Baptism is about what’s changed - what’s been cleansed on the inside.

Those who are baptized are placed under the water - symbolically identifying with the death of Jesus Christ.  Just as Jesus took all of our sins on the cross - died for them and was buried - they’ve died.  They’ve turned from following their own path in life.  Their old life - sinful and separated from God - is dead and buried with Jesus.    

Then trusting Jesus - seeking to be His obedient disciples - they’re brought out of the water - out from the grave - into new life.  Just as Jesus was raised from death.  Baptism demonstrates outwardly that inward reality of our hearts.  Are we together on this? 

Outward demonstration of inward spiritual reality.  Say that together.  “Out ward demonstration of inward spiritual reality.”

Paul writes of the believer in Jesus - writes in Colossians 2 that our circumcision is made without hands.  When we come to Jesus - confessing our sin - and receiving Him as our Savior - God cuts the sins of our flesh out of our lives.  That’s what Jesus has done for us on the cross.  When He was crucified - Jesus took the sin that was cut out of our lives - on Himself. (Colossians 2:8-15)

In the New Testament we have circumcision - not physical -  but spiritual.  Not external - but internal.  Not partial - but complete.  Not by Moses - but by Jesus.

That’s why the prophet Jeremiah writes, “Circumcise yourselves to the Lord and remove the foreskins of your heart.”  (Jeremiah 4:4) 

In the Old Testament the foreskin of the flesh is a symbol of our sinful nature - our disobedience against God.  The flesh is cut away signifying the removal of what is not part of a covenant relationship with God.  Are we together on this?

The outward cutting is not what’s significant.  Its what takes place inwardly that’s crucial.  The heart surrendered to God.  Consecrated.  Given over totally in obedience to the living God.  God’s cleansing work within us.

That day - before moving forward in conquest - on the west bank of the Jordan River God’s people need to get this.  We need to get this.  When we surrender our hearts to God the sin is cut off.  Say that with me, “When we surrender our hearts to God the sin is cut off.”

Why do this on the west bank of the Jordan River?  What is God’s purpose?  We cannot continually look in the rear view mirror and drive forward successfully.  We cannot live freely in God’s promises if we’re continually dragging around Egypt.

God calls the nation to conquest.  God calls us to live for Him.  Go out and reach the Merced metroplex with Gospel - make disciples - baptize them in the name of the Triune God - teach them what it means to live with me.  And we’re going, “Who me?  You don’t know my past.  You don’t know what kind of a failure I am.  I’m the wrong guy for this one.”

God calls you to be a Godly man - a Godly husband - a Godly father.  “You have no clue what kind of loser I am.”  God calls you to be a woman of God.  “I don’t have what it takes.  You don’t know how I’ve been hurt and wounded.”

Satan - our adversary loves to get us looking in the rear view mirror - weighed down with guilt - reproach.   Because he knows we cannot move forward into the promises of God - all that God desires to do in us and through us - we cannot move forward to where God wants us to be if we’re continually looking back.

Jesus said, “The slave does not remain in the house forever...if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:35,36)

Standing on the Jordan’s west bank God’s people need to understand - at the heart level - God has freed them from the past and set before them the promised land.  Say this with me, “God has freed us from the past and set before us the promised land.”

Verse 10:  While the sons of Israel camped at Gilgal they observed the Passover on the evening of the fourteenth day of the month on the desert plains of Jericho.  On the day after Passover, on that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land, unleavened cakes and parched grain.  The manna ceased on the day after they had eaten some of the produce of the land, so that the sons of Israel no longer had manna, but they ate some of the yield of the land of Canaan during that year.

Lets pause.  Two things that we need to pay attention to.

First:  The Passover.

Since the people had camped in the wilderness of Sinai - 2 years after leaving Egypt - in all those years of wandering and judgment - Passover hadn’t been celebrated.  In part because Old Testament law required that men needed to be circumcised to observe the Passover.  If the senior generation is under God’s judgment and passing away and the younger generation isn’t circumcised - then who celebrates the Passover?  No one.

And yet - Moses - while the people were still in Egypt - still slaves - still not free from Pharaoh - the last plague hadn’t happened yet - Moses calls the elders of the people together and gives them instructions about how to celebrate the Passover.  In Exodus 12:25 - Moses says, “When you enter the land which the Lord will give you, as He has promised, you shall observe this rite.” 

Follow this sequence.  We found out in chapter 4 - verse 19 that the month we’re talking about is the first month of the Hebrew calendar - which is the month called Abib - which corresponds to our March and April. 

Joshua 4:19 tells us that on the 10th of Abib the people cross through the Jordan River.  The exact same day - 40 years earlier - that Israel had prepared to leave Egypt by setting apart the Passover lamb.

Then - here in chapter 5 - God gives the command for circumcision - circumcision being required for celebrating the Passover.  Gives them 3 days to accomplish it.  There are thousands of men needing circumcision.  Then on the 14th of Abib they celebrate the Passover.  Exactly 40 years to the day that their fathers celebrated the Passover in Egypt.  (Exodus 12:18)

Point:  That sequence is not an accident.  God is making a point.  The reproach of Egypt has been rolled away.  The last 40 years have been wiped away.  This is a new beginning.  Its like being given a fresh start.  You - present generation - you are God’s chosen - covenant - people.  He’s saved you from death and bondage and brought you into life.

Second:  Notice that the manna ceased.

According to Moses’ instructions - back in Exodus - starting the day after the Passover - for seven days - the people were to eat unleavened bread.  Unleavened bread symbolized the spiritual purity of Israel in her relationship with God.

What is significant about this comes in verse 12:  “The manna ceased on the day after they had eaten some of the produce of the land.”

The source of the unleavened cakes and the parched grain is the Promised Land.  On the 15th of Abib the people started eating off the land.  On the 16th of Abib - the manna ceases.

For nearly 40 years the people had been living on manna and quail.  Bamanna bread.  In the wilderness crops don’t grow.  Regardless of the attitude of His people - despite the actions of His people - God has been gracious to them.  Merciful.  Taken care of them.  Manna and quail.

But now - the people are going to be able to grow their own crops.  God will bless the land as He blessed the people with manna.  Another new beginning. 

There’s a refreshment to this.  Not only has God taken away the reproach of His people - but He has given them a new beginning in a new land.  The celebration on the west bank ties together God’s deliverance of His people - the fulfillment of God’s promises - God’s presence and provision for this new generation.

Change is hard.  Tearing down buildings.  Building new ones.  New attitudes towards ministry.  How God may desire to do things here.  What God may desire to do in our lives - in our homes - in us and through us.  We should expect God to do what is appropriate for how He desires to work in our lives and to use us for His glory.  That may require uncomfortable changes.  We often fear change because we fear what may come next.

What we can be impressed with - as the Hebrews needed to be - there on the west bank - while the circumstances may change - God and His commitment to what is best for His people never changes.

Verse 13:  Now it came about when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing opposite him with his sword drawn in his hand, and Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us or for our adversaries?”  He said, “No; rather I indeed come now as captain of the host of the Lord.”  And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and bowed down, and said to him, “What has my lord to say to his servant?”  The captain of the Lord’s host said to Joshua, “Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.”  And Joshua did so.

This sign appeared on a bathroom door.

Attention Children:  The Bathroom Door is Closed.

Please do not stand here and talk, whine, or ask questions.  Wait until I get out.

Yes, it is locked.  I want it that way.  It is not broken, I am not trapped. I know I have left it unlocked, and even open at times, since you were born, because I was afraid some horrible tragedy might occur while I was in here, but it's been 10 years and I want some PRIVACY.

Do not ask me how long I will be.  I will come out when I am done.  Do not bring the phone to the bathroom door.  Do not go running back to the phone yelling, “He's in the BATHROOM!”

Do not begin to fight as soon as I go in.

Do not stick your little fingers under the door and wiggle them.  This was funny when you were two, but not now.

Do not slide pennies, Legos, or notes under the door.  Even when you were two this got a little tiresome.

If you have followed me down the hall talking, and are still talking as you face this closed door, please turn around, walk away, and wait for me in another room.  I will be glad to listen to you when I am done.

And yes, I still love you.

Imagine Joshua - God’s leader of 2 million people - breaking camp at Shittim - the whole river crossing thing - the stones - setting up camp at Gilgal - the circumcision - the Passover - preparing to take on Jericho.  Full days.  This is down time.  I imagine him - the cool of the late afternoon - slipping away for some time alone with God.

He’s out walking.  Jericho is about two miles away.  Probably he’s about as close as he can safely get.  Maybe he’s looking at the city - those massive double walls - maybe he’s wondering how God is going to accomplish this one.  As he’s walking Joshua comes across this man with a drawn sword.

Three things.

First:  Who this man is.

We’re not given his name.  His name isn’t what’s important.  His position is.  He’s a captain of the Lord’s angelic army.  This is an angelic warrior -a leader of the armies of heaven - fighting the same battle as Joshua - but behind the scenes in the spiritual realm.

Second:  notice Joshua’s attitude.

Joshua bows before him.  It’s a sign of respect - not worship.  Joshua asks the question, “What has my lord - small l - not the Lord Jesus - but a lord - a person to be respected - What does my lord say to his servant?”  Point being that Joshua recognizes that this angel represents God.  He comes by the command of God almighty.  Respect the angel.  Respect God.

Third - notice The command - “Take off your sandals.”

The similarity with Moses and the burning bush is intentional.  God to Moses:  “Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” (Exodus 3:5)  The ground is holy because of God.

At the burning bush God declares His intention to deliver His people from Egypt - commissions Moses as His chosen deliverer.  From the beginning   - Moses standing on holy ground - God established that Israel’s deliverance from Egypt is a spiritual thing - God at work - God fighting for His people.

Same here.  The holiness of the ground indicates that this is a God thing.  Canaan isn’t conquered because God’s people are buff manly men and extremely clever.  Conquest doesn’t happen because Joshua is such a wonderful leader.  Behind the conquest of the Promised Land is a spiritual battle - God fighting on behalf of His people.

What God is about doing is a whole lot bigger than rivers and stones and walls around a city.  God is a work redeeming and establishing His people - taking us out of our sin and rebellion and bringing us into a righteous eternal relationship with Him.

Moving forward by faith - God requires His people to be circumcised of heart.  To be trusting God for His continuing presence and provision.  To bow before Him - acknowledging God’s holy sovereignty.

Chuck Swindoll, in his book, “Hand Me Another Brick” writes about a California industrialist who addressed a group of executives at a leadership seminar several years ago.  His topic concerned employee motivation - how to get the job done while maintaining the enthusiasm and commitment of your personnel.  He offered a lot of helpful advice, but one concept in particular stuck in Chuck’s mind:  “There are two things that are the most difficult to get people to do:  to think, and do things in the order of their importance.” (2)

We can’t fight a spiritual battle while we’re focused on the physical.  Say that with me, “We can’t fight a spiritual battle while we’re focused on the physical.”

Reaching the greater Merced metroplex with the Gospel isn’t about buildings - and all the physical stuff that goes on around here.  What we struggle with in our homes and schools and work isn’t about schedules and who’s right and who’s been wronged and who’s stuff is who’s or who’s got more of it or how were suppose to get all the toys we think we need or the size of our paycheck and moving up the ladder.

We’re fighting alongside the armies of heaven in the great battle of the greatest war - fighting on the side of the Almighty God of Creation - in His war to redeem mankind - where God is seeking to make all things new.

Circumcision of the heart is like cutting around our pride, cutting around our productivity.  Letting God cut the places we’d really rather not have cut.  But if we’re not willing to let God cut out what is not of Him then we’re going to get creamed by the adversary.

If we’re not willing to get our eyes off of ourselves and onto Jesus - His blood shed on the cross - His body broken - to establish our salvation - to forgive and set us free from past sin - the ultimate realization of God’s love for us - His presence and provision for His people - then we’ll only be standing in our strength not His.

God has called each of us - and as a congregation - to holy purposes.  It is crucial that we put first things first.

_______________

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible®, © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation.  Used by permission.