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".