Day 986: Joshua 5- On The Lord's Side

As soon as 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 that the Lord had dried up the waters of the Jordan for the people of Israel until they had crossed over, their hearts melted and there was no longer any spirit in them because of the people of Israel.
2 At that time the Lord said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the sons of Israel a second time.” 3 So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the sons of Israel at Gibeath-haaraloth. 4 And this is the reason why Joshua circumcised them: all the males of the people who came out of Egypt, all the men of war, had died in the wilderness on the way after they had come out of Egypt. 5 Though all the people who came out had been circumcised, yet all the people who were born on the way in the wilderness after they had come out of Egypt had not been circumcised. 6 For the people of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, until all the nation, the men of war who came out of Egypt, perished, because they did not obey the voice of the Lord; the Lord swore to them that he would not let them see the land that the Lord had sworn to their fathers to give to us, a land flowing with milk and honey. 7 So it was their children, whom he raised up in their place, that Joshua circumcised. For they were uncircumcised, because they had not been circumcised on the way.
8 When the circumcising of the whole nation was finished, they remained in their places in the camp until they were healed. 9 And the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” And so the name of that place is called Gilgal to this day.
First Passover in Canaan10 While the people of Israel were encamped at Gilgal, they kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month in the evening on the plains of Jericho. 11 And the day after the Passover, on that very day, they ate of the produce of the land, unleavened cakes and parched grain. 12 And the manna ceased the day after they ate of the produce of the land. And there was no longer manna for the people of Israel, but they ate of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.
The Commander of the Lord's Army13 When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” 14 And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?” 15 And the commander of the Lord's army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.
 
Meditation
Frances Havergal wrote her hymn “Who is on the Lord’s side?” inviting Christians to rise above the temptation to lessen the Lord to accommodate human loyalties or agendas. God’s identity transcends creature allegiance. God’s grace invites us to align with Him.
 
The question of loyalty comes in the form of the “commander of the army of the Lord” meeting Joshua face to face (13-15; as Moses met the Lord in the burning bush, Exodus 3). The question of loyalty will conclude the book of Joshua, too (Choose this day whom you will serve… 24:15). Two questions confront us today: What does loyalty to the Lord look like and will I align by faith on God’s side?
 
Being on the Lord’s side looks like total trust. The first thing Israel does after entering the promise land is…. circumcise the men. This is to say, upon entering enemy territory Israel embraced the sign of God’s covenant relationship by circumcising their army and thereby rendering themselves totally vulnerable to attack (2-9). Second, the whole community celebrated the covenant meal in the feast of Passover. The point: Total trust in God is feasting on the grace of God through His means of grace no matter what our circumstances!
 
God is faithful. God has redeemed. God will protect. God will lead. God will accomplish His will. God’s word confronts the reader: Are you on the Lord’s side?
 
Richly Dwelling
-Verses 13 and 14 highlight what we are forced to ask ourselves when we feel like relying on self-resolve or the plans we think are best. The real question is: Are you on the Lord’s side? Are you taking time to be with Him and seek His guidance?
 
-Take time now to fall on your face before the Lord and listen.
 
-Jesus said, “Those who are for me are not against me” (Luke 9:50). Where do you need to celebrate this reality in relationship with believers who are not like you but are clearly aligned with the Lord’s side?
 
Key Verse
13 … “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” 14 And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?”