Forty Years in the Wilderness - Joshua 5:6

In the book of Joshua, speaking of the children of Israel who departed from Egypt we learned, “all the people that came out were circumcised: but all the people that were born in the wilderness by the way as they came forth out of Egypt, them they had not circumcised”, and in chapter five and verse six of the book of Joshua, we learn how Joshua or the author referred to how, “the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness”, where we read,

For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people that were men of war, which came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: unto whom the LORD swore that he would not show them the land, which the LORD swore unto their fathers that he would give us, a land that flows with milk and honey.

The verse reads, “For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people that were men of war, which came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “for the children of Israel” which means “because, since and on account that the offspring and progeny belonging to Israel whose name means God prevails and is the proper name of the One True God” “walked forty years” or “departed, proceeded, moved and traversed for forty annual sets of days” “in the wilderness” which means “within the uninhabited desert place”, “till all the people” or “until each, every, the whole and everyone of the male human beings” “that were men of war” which means “who existed as male human beings pertaining to battle and fighting”, “which came out of Egypt” or “who left and departed from Egypt whose name means land of the Copts and is a country at the northeastern section of Africa, adjacent to Palestine, and through which the Nile flows”, “were consumed” or “existed as complete, finished and at an end”, “because they obeyed not” which means “since and on account that they, the people of Israel, did not hear, listen to, perceive or pay attention to” “the voice of the LORD” or “the noise and sound of uttered words from Jehovah who is the existing One and is the proper name for the One True God”. Joshua or the writer referred to how the offspring belonging to “Israel” made their way through the uninhabited desert place until all the male human beings trained for battle who departed from “Egypt” were devoured on account that they did not hearken to Jehovah God’s words. 

The verse goes on to say, “unto whom the LORD swore that he would not show them the land, which the LORD swore unto their fathers that he would give us, a land that flows with milk and honey.” Joshua continued with the words, “unto whom the LORD” or “to whom Jehovah who is the existing One and is the proper name for the One True God” “swore that he would not show them” which means “adjured and took an oath that he, Jehovah God, would in no way or manner allow or permit them, the people of Israel who departed from Egypt, to inspect, perceive or observe” “the land” or “the region, territory and country”, “which the LORD” which means “that Jehovah who is the existing One and is the proper name for the One True God”, “swore unto their fathers” or “adjured and took an oath toward their, the people of Israel’s, immediate male ancestors and progenitors” “that he would give us” which means “that he, Jehovah God, was to grant, bestow and assign to us, Joshua and the people of Israel”, “a land that flows” or “a region, territory and country that gushes, issues and discharges forth” “with milk and honey” which means “accompanied by rich milk from a kine and sticky honey or honeycomb.” Joshua or the writer shared how Jehovah God took an oath that He would in no way allow the people of Israel who left “Egypt” to observe the territory that gushes with “rich milk” and sweet honeycomb.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how Joshua or the writer referred to the “forty years” that the people of Israel “wandered” through the uninhabited desert with all the males who left “Egypt” already being “circumcised”, however, they did not continue that sacred rite upon those who were birthed in the “wilderness”. Those who left “Egypt”, other than Joshua and Caleb, were not allowed to observe or enter into the promise land because they did not hearken unto God’s declarations. God wants obedience, and when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead after three days, He made the way for us through faith and trust in Him to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and provided with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and teach us the value of paying attention to and obeying the directives of Almighty God. 

Next time Joshua or the author says, “their children, whom he raised up in their stead, them Joshua circumcised”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

Every Male Participates - Joshua 5:5

In the book of Joshua, we learned, “at that time the LORD said unto Joshua, Make you sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time. And Joshua made him sharp knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at the hill of the foreskins. And this is the cause why Joshua did circumcise: All the people that came out of Egypt, that were males, even all the men of war, died in the wilderness by the way, after they came out of Egypt”, and in chapter five and verse five of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “all the people that came out were circumcised” where we read,

Now all the people that came out were circumcised: but all the people that were born in the wilderness by the way as they came forth out of Egypt, them they had not circumcised.

The verse reads, “Now all the people that came out were circumcised:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “now all the people” which means “at that time each, every, the whole and everyone of the male human beings” “that came out were circumcised” or “who exited and went forth from Egypt had their foreskin cut away”. Joshua or the writer referred to how every on the males who exited “Egypt” had been “circumcised”. 

 

The verse continues, “but all the people that were born in the wilderness by the way as they came forth out of Egypt, them they had not circumcised.” Joshua added the words, “but all the people” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover each, every, the whole and every one of the human beings” “that were born in the wilderness” which means “who were brought forth and birthed within the uninhabited desert place” “by the way” or “along the traveled road or journey” “as they came forth” which means “during the time they, the people of Israel, left and departed” “out of Egypt” or “from Egypt whose name means ‘land of the Copts’ and is a country at the northeastern section of Africa, adjacent to Palestine, and through which the Nile flows”, “them they had not circumcised” which means “them, the people who left Egypt, they, the people of Israel, had in no way or manner cut off their foreskin”. Joshua or the writer shared how every one of the male children of Israel who were birthed while Israel was in the uninhabited desert place after departing from “Egypt” were not “circumcised”. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we discover how everyone of the males of “Israel” who departed from “Egypt” was already “circumcised”, however those who were “born” in the uninhabited desert place were not. These were the males to whom “Joshua” was to “cut away” their foreskin in obedience to Jehovah God. This covenant was symbolic of removing the flesh nature from the people of Israel, (See Colossians 2:11) and the same is necessary for us. Jesus Christ came into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days, and when we yield to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and “cut away” our flesh nature by the power of His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and empower us to live according to that truth. (See Romans 2:29)

Next time we Joshua or the author refers to how, “the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

Why Joshua Performed the Ritual - Joshua 5:4

In the book of Joshua, we learned, “at that time the LORD said unto Joshua, Make you sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time. And Joshua made him sharp knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at the hill of the foreskins”, and in chapter five and verse four of the book of Joshua, we learn, “why Joshua did circumcise” where we read,

And this is the cause why Joshua did circumcise: All the people that came out of Egypt, that were males, even all the men of war, died in the wilderness by the way, after they came out of Egypt.

The verse reads, “And this is the cause why Joshua did circumcise:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and this is the cause” which means “and the following exists as the reason” “why Joshua did circumcise” or “for which Joshua whose name means ‘God is salvation’ cut away the foreskin from the children of Israel”. Joshua or the writer began to give the reason that “Joshua” cut away the foreskin of the “children of Israel”. 

 

The verse goes on to say, “All the people that came out of Egypt, that were males, even all the men of war, died in the wilderness by the way, after they came out of Egypt.” Joshua continued with the words, “all the people” or “each, every and the whole of the human beings” “that came out of Egypt” which means “who exited and went forth from Egypt whose name means ‘land of the Copts’ and is a country at the northeastern section of Africa, adjacent to Palestine, and through which the Nile flows”, “that were males” or “who existed as male human beings”, “even all the men of war” which means “also and indeed each, every and the whole of the male human beings pertaining to fighting and battle”, “died in the wilderness by the way” or “were killed, became breathless or were put to death within the uninhabited desert land along the journey, course and distance”, “after they came out of Egypt” which means “following the time they, the people of Israel, exited and departed from Egypt whose name means ‘land of the Copts’ and is a country at the northeastern section of Africa, adjacent to Palestine, and through which the Nile flows”. Joshua or the writer referred to how the men who departed from “Egypt” all perished along the journey while the people of Israel were wandering in the uninhabited desert land. (Only Joshua and Caleb survived and entered the promise land.) (See Numbers 14:38)

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn the reason that “Joshua” was to “circumcise” the children of Israel. The men of Israel who departed from “Egypt” and wandered in the “wilderness” were “circumcised”, however, all of them with the exception of “Joshua and Caleb” passed away, and they did not “circumcise” their “children” while in the desert place. God established this statute, and all males were to be “circumcised”. (See Genesis 17:10-14) “Joshua” was to bring the people of Israel who entered the promise land back in alignment with God’s will, and we shall see how he fulfills that commission in our next verse. God wants everyone to be in a personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and rose from the grave after three days. When we surrender to Him, He will forgive our sins, cleanse us from all unrighteousness, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and help us to align with His Divine purposes and will.

Next time we learn how, “all the people that came out were circumcised”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

Sharp Instruments for the Ritual - Joshua 5:3

In the book of Joshua, we learned, “at that time the LORD said unto Joshua, Make you sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time”, and in chapter five and verse three of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “Joshua made him sharp knives, and circumcised the children of Israel” where we read,

And Joshua made him sharp knives, 

and circumcised the children of Israel at the hill of the foreskins.

The verse reads, “And Joshua made him sharp knives, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Joshua” which means “and Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation” “made him sharp knives” or “formed, fashioned and produced sharpened edges of cutting stones or tools”. Joshua obeyed Jehovah God’s instruction and formed and produced sharpened tools or cutting stones. 

 

The verse continues, “… and circumcised the children of Israel at the hill of the foreskins.” Joshua added the words, “and circumcise the children of Israel” or “cut away the foreskin of the offspring and progeny belonging to Israel whose name means God prevails and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob” “at the hill” which means “upon the rising above the plain” “of the foreskins” or “pertaining to the uncircumcised or prepuce”. Joshua cut away the foreskins of the offspring belonging to “Israel” upon the rising of the plain pertaining to the prepuces. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we see how Joshua obeyed Jehovah God’s directive to “circumcise the offspring” belonging to “Israel”, and he not only sharpened the tools to perform the act, but also followed through by cutting away the prepuce or flesh. God’s plan was to purify and sanctify His people Israel, and as He had done previously, (See Genesis 17:23-27) these “children” who belonged to the next generation needed to be “circumcised” as well. God used this outward expression to demonstrate the “cutting away of the flesh” that was to be observed by all who call Him their Lord. (See Colossians 2:11) God will forgive, sanctify and purify everyone who yields to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the dead after three days. God wants to have a pure, sanctified and holy relationship with all of us, and when we surrender our lives to Him, He will “cut away” the works of our flesh and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (See 1 John 1:9)

Next time we learn, “why Joshua did circumcise”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

A Ritual Repeated - Joshua 5:2

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “it came to pass, when all the kings of the Amorites, which were on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, which were by the sea, heard that the LORD had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel”, and in chapter five and verse two of the book of Joshua, we learn how Jehovah God tells Joshua, “circumcise again the children of Israel” where we read,

At that time the LORD said unto Joshua, Make you sharp knives, 

and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time.

The verse reads, “At that time the LORD said unto Joshua, Make you sharp knives, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “at that time the LORD” which means “at that moment or time period Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” “said unto Joshua” or “uttered, declared and proclaimed to Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation”, “make you sharp knives” which means “fashion, accomplish and produce sharpened edges of cutting stones or tools”. Joshua or the writer shared how Jehovah God told “Joshua” to fashion sharpened cutting stones or tools for the following reason. 

 

The verse goes on to say, “and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time.” Joshua continued with the words, “and circumcise again” or “and cut away the foreskin yet another time” “the children of Israel” which means “the offspring and progeny belonging to Israel whose name means God prevails and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob” “the second time” or “the second time period”. Jehovah God instructed “Joshua” to cut away the flesh of the foreskin of the offspring belonging to “Israel” a “second time”. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how Jehovah God continued to work among the people of Israel. The cutting away of the “foreskin” was symbolic of “cutting away the flesh” (See Colossians 2:11) or sanctification, and this was the first work God wanted His people “Israel” to do when they entered the promise land. We shall see more about this in our next verses, but for now let us consider that God desires the same for us. He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when He raised Him from the dead after three days, He made the way through faith and trust in Him to be forgiven of our sins, cleansed from all unrighteousness, granted everlasting life and equipped with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and keep us on His straight, narrow and righteous way. (See 1 John 1:9; Matthew 7:14; John 16:13)

Next time we learn how, “Joshua made him sharp knives, and circumcised the children of Israel”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

The Amorites and the Canaanites - Joshua 5:1

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Joshua told the people of Israel, “the LORD your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until you were passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over. That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty: that you might fear the LORD your God for ever”, and in chapter five and verse one of the book of Joshua, we learn what happened with, “the Amorites and the Canaanites” where we read,

And it came to pass, when all the kings of the Amorites, which were on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, which were by the sea, heard that the LORD had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel.

The verse reads, “And it came to pass, when all the kings of the Amorites, which were on the side of Jordan westward, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and it came to pass” which means “and it happened and occurred”, “when all the kings” or “at the time and moment each, every, the whole one everyone of the royal rulers and leaders” “of the Amorites” which means “belonging to the Amorites whose name means ‘a sayer’ and was one of the peoples of east Canaan and beyond the Jordan, dispossessed by the Israelite incursion from Egypt”, “which were on the side of Jordan” or “that existed upon the region, area or opposite side pertaining to the Jordan whose name means descender and was the river of Palestine running from the roots of Anti-Lebanon to the Dead Sea a distance of approximately 200 miles (320 km)” “westward” which means “in a western direction”. Joshua or the writer began to share what happened at the time and moment the royal rulers belonging to the “Amorites” who were on the western side of the “Jordan” river along with the following “heard” about Jehovah God.

 

The verse continues, “and all the kings of the Canaanites, which were by the sea, heard that the LORD had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, …” Joshua added the words, “and all the kings of the Canaanites” or “and each, every, the whole and everyone of the royal rulers and leaders belonging to the Canaanites whose name means ‘zealous' and were descendants or inhabitants of Canaan”, “which were by the sea” which means “that existed beside the large body of water”, “heard that the LORD” or “perceived, discerned and understood that Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God”, “had dried up the waters of Jordan” which means “had made without moisture the flowing waters belonging to Jordan whose name means descender and was the river of Palestine running from the roots of Anti-Lebanon to the Dead Sea a distance of approximately 200 miles (320 km)” “from before the children of Israel” or “in front and in the presence of the offspring and progeny belonging to Israel whose name means God prevails and is the name of the descendants and the nation of descendants of Jacob”, “until we were passed over” which means “till such time that we, Joshua and the people of Israel, crossed the Jordan river”. Joshua or the writer also began to share what happened when the royal rulers of the nation of “Cana” who were located by the large body of water also perceived and understood how “Jehovah God” caused the moisture from the flowing waters of Jordan to become dry.

Finally the verse says, “that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel.” Joshua or the writer concluded this verse with the words, “that their heart melted” or “so their, the Ammorites and the Canaanites’, souls and minds dissolved, melted away and grew fearful”, “neither was there spirit in them” which means “no and not in any way disposition, vivacity, vigor and courage existed their within them, the Ammorites and the Canaanites” “any more” or “henceforth, no further and no longer”, “because of the children of Israel” which means “since and on account of the offspring and progeny belonging to Israel whose name means God prevails and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”. Joshua or the writer ended this verse by sharing how the soul and mind of the “Ammorites and Canaanites” grew fearful and their courage no longer existed on account of the offspring belonging to “Israel”. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Joshua or the writer how the word had spread concerning Jehovah God’s miracle performed upon the “Jordan” river. The royal rulers and leaders of the “Ammorites and Canaanites” who were located on the western side of the “Jordan” were aware that the people of Israel crossed the “Jordan” on “dry ground”, and this made their souls and minds to be fearful and without courage. God loves the people of Israel, and He worked on their behalf. Israel was to be the nation that would show the world that God loves everyone, and He demonstrated His love by sending His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and to be raised from the dead after three days. When we yield our lives to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit who will lead, guide and direct us in the world so others will know that God has done a mighty work within our lives. 

Next time we learn how Jehovah God tells Joshua, “circumcise again the children of Israel”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".