Joshua Chapter 5

Daily Devotional: Joshua 5 — Renewing Our Covenant Commitment


Part 1: Spiritual Preparation (Joshua 5:1-9)

“Then the Lord said to Joshua, ‘Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.’ So the place has been called Gilgal to this day.”
(Joshua 5:9, New International Version)

Before a military conquest, we might expect soldiers sharpening swords, checking armor, and inspecting battle plans. Joshua chapter five, however, presents the Israelites doing something deeply significant and strikingly unusual: circumcision. To us in the modern West, this event may seem random or uncomfortable, but for Israel, it held profound spiritual significance. They were preparing themselves spiritually rather than militarily. Circumcision symbolized their covenant relationship with God, setting them apart physically and spiritually from neighboring pagan nations.

This generation—born in the wilderness—had not yet ritualistically entered into the covenant of their forefathers. They carried the promise given to Abraham in flesh and blood (Genesis 17:10-14), reconnecting to their identity as God’s chosen people.

The name “Gilgal,” derived from the Hebrew verb “galal” (meaning “to roll away”), is meaningful here. At Gilgal, God declared He had “rolled away the reproach of Egypt.” What exactly does this mean? The reproach likely refers to Israel’s history of slavery and humiliation. Spiritually, they were entering into a fresh chapter of freedom, identity, and destiny.

Cross-reference suggestions:
- Genesis 17:9-14 (Institution of Circumcision)
- Colossians 2:11-12 (Circumcision of the Heart)


Part 2: Celebrating Passover in the Promised Land (Joshua 5:10-12)

“… they celebrated the Passover. The day after the Passover, that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land: unleavened bread and roasted grain. The manna stopped the day after…”
(Joshua 5:10-12, New International Version)

It is significant that Israel celebrated Passover immediately after entering the promised land, deepening the connection to their deliverance from Egypt. Passover commemorated redemption from slavery—a redemption that now found fulfillment in their freedom within the land God promised.

Consider carefully the transition depicted here: the miraculous provision of manna ceased once Israel could eat food from the promised land. God often changes the form of His provision as we mature spiritually. He is faithful in the wilderness of our lives, but once we enter into a new stage of spiritual maturity and responsibility, His provision may change its form. God calls us to deeper trust and increased responsibility.

Historically, great Christian thinkers, such as Augustine and Calvin, saw in this an image of the Christian’s journey from spiritual infancy (reliance on manna-like miraculous provisions) to mature faith, trusting God amid ordinary daily responsibilities.

Cross-reference suggestions:
- Exodus 12:24-27 (The ordinance of Passover)
- John 6:48-51 (Jesus as the Bread from Heaven)


Part 3: Encountering the Commander of the Lord’s Army (Joshua 5:13-15)

“Then Joshua fell facedown… and asked him, ‘What message does my Lord have for his servant?’ … ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.’ And Joshua did so.”
(Joshua 5:14-15, New International Version)

Consider the vivid drama of this event: Joshua encounters an enigmatic divine figure who identifies himself as “commander of the army of the LORD.” Joshua asks a natural human question: “Are you with us or our enemies?” The response, “Neither,” jars us. God is not here to take sides; He calls people to His side. As modern readers, this truth confronts our instincts: Do we try to co-opt God into our agendas or humbly yield to His divine purpose?

Who exactly was this mysterious figure? Early Christian theologians, many Reformers, and modern Evangelicals have often identified this figure as a theophany—an Old Testament appearance of Christ Himself before His incarnation—a moment echoing God’s encounter with Moses (Exodus 3:5): holy ground, removing sandals, and reverent awe.

Symbolically, this sets the spiritual tone for the upcoming battles: God Himself, not Joshua, would ultimately lead the people to victory. Likewise, our battles today belong to God.

Cross-reference suggestions:
- Exodus 3:4-5 (Moses at the burning bush)
- Romans 8:31 (If God is for us, who can be against us?)


Cultural Insights & Historical Significance

Modern archaeological research shows Gilgal to be significant historically and culturally—it became Israel’s spiritual and military base during Joshua’s conquest. To enter the promised land with spiritual acts like circumcision and Passover rather than military readiness underscores the Bible’s emphasis on obedience, humility, and covenant fidelity to God, above human strategy and strength.

Theological Reflections:

This passage emphasizes profound biblical themes:

  1. Renewed Commitment: We must regularly renew our connection to God’s promises and remember His past redemptive acts.
  2. Maturing Trust: God invites us from simple dependence to mature responsibility in His provisions.
  3. Divine Sovereignty: Spiritual victory arises when we surrender ourselves fully to God’s authority as supreme commander.

Hebrew Word Insight:

Gilgal (גִּלְגָּל) – from the Hebrew root “galal,” meaning “to roll” or remove. It underscores complete renewal of identity in God’s redemptive action.

Suggested Hymn:

“Be Thou My Vision” (traditional Irish hymn; author unknown)
This hymn beautifully articulates a heart longing for full dependence on divine guidance, fitting the theme of surrender and covenant commitment found here in Joshua 5.


Prayer:

Heavenly Father,
Renew today our hearts and minds. Help us continually commit ourselves afresh to Your covenant love. May we come before You in humility, leaving behind the burdens of past failure and shame, so that we might enter fully into the freedom and provision You have prepared. Teach us to trust Your ways, and may we clearly discern Your presence as we navigate through life’s battles. Lead, guide, and transform us fully into the image of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Narrated version of this devotional on Joshua Chapter 5