Joshua Worksheet - Chapter 5

JOSHUA 5     Review: In Chapters 3 & 4, we have seen the miracle of God holding back the waters and Israel crossing over the dry land of the river Jordan. Twelve men were chosen from each of the tribes of Israel to bring a memorial stone to set up in memory of what God had done for them so that they could tell future generations about it. Joshua built a memorial altar of worship in the middle of the Jordan of 12 stones representing the 12 tribes of Israel as well. In Chapter 5, it is time to begin to possess the land of promise. They are camping in Gilgal. Nations are fearful of them because of what they have heard about the Jordan River crossing. Before battles are fought and places are possessed, the new generation of men must be circumcised. They had not circumcised any of the men who had been born during the days of the wilderness for 40 years. The reproach of Egypt will be rolled away from them and the Passover will be celebrated again after all these years! Before Joshua steps on the battlefield with his men of war, the captain of the Lord of Hosts appears to him! How did the kings of the Amorites on the west side of the Jordan and the kings of the Canaanites by the sea feel in regard to Israel when they heard what the Lord had done in drying up the waters of the Jordan? vs.1 What did the Lord have Joshua do to all the men of Israel for a second time in history? vs. 2 When was circumcision instituted as the sign of the covenant with the Lord?  If this is the second time for circumcision to be performed, when was the first time? Comment on the verses below: God's command to Abraham - Genesis 17:7-14 Abraham obeys God - Genesis 17:24-27 Isaac circumcised when 8 days old - Genesis 21:4 After the command for circumcision came to Abraham as part of his covenant with God (the "cut in the flesh" sign that every male belonged to the Lord Most High) ....every baby Jewish boy would be circumcised on the 8th day after their birth. Comment on two New Testament figures who were circumcised in the Jewish tradition. Luke 2:21 Philippians 3:5 Note: Medical benefits have been shown to those who are circumcised. It has been noted that the 8th day is the very best day to have it done as well. More than the physical benefits, God was interested in the spiritual picture that was shown here. Why was a second national circumcision needed? Were the same men getting circumcised again? vs.4-7 Why did the first generation have to die off and not see the land of promise? Comment on the following verses: Joshua 5:6 Hebrews 3:16-19 Where was this second national circumcision performed? vs. 3 What did God change the name of the place to? vs. 9  Note: Gibeath-haaraloth meant "hill of foreskins" obviously because of the circumcisions performed there. God saw this with a much deeper meaning, saying that this was a symbol of the reproach of Egypt being "rolled away". Therefore, He named the place Gilgal, meaning "rolling" or "wheel". What was the spiritual significance of the national circumcision at this time? vs.8,9 God longed for Israel to have more than an outward cutting of the flesh; He longed for the day that their hearts would be circumcised; a day when His Spirit would cut away the hardness of their heart and give them a heart of flesh to love Him and fear Him. Comment on the following verses: Deuteronomy 10:16 Deuteronomy 30:6 Jeremiah 4:4 Jeremiah 31:31 Ezekiel 11:19 Ezekiel 36:26 In Christ, we are part of the New Covenant, that does not require circumcision outwardly, but is performed inwardly by Christ in our heart when He "cuts away" the flesh and His Spirit comes to live inside of us. Comment on the verses below: Luke 22:20 Romans 2:28-29 1 Corinthians 11:25 Hebrews 9:15 Colossians 2:11-12 Galatians 6:15 God said that the circumcision was the "rolling away of the reproach of Egypt". Egypt is a picture of the world. What did Moses choose over the reproaches of Egypt? Hebrews 11: How do you see that our circumcision of the heart, made by Jesus, cuts away the reproach of the world from us? Comment on the verses below: Matthew 16:24 John 6:63 Romans 8:6 Romans 8:13 Romans 13:14 Galatians 5:16-17 1 John 2:16 James 4:4 Back to Joshua 5 ... Now that the reproach of Egypt had been rolled away, they were able to celebrate the Passover again. It had been 38 years since they had celebrated it! What did the Passover commemorate for them; what was it a celebration of? Luke 22:15 1 Corinthians 15:7-8 While the sons were camped at Gilgal, they celebrated the Passover in the desert plains of Jericho. What is the day that Passover is celebrated by the Jews and why? Joshua 5:10 Leviticus 23:5 Numbers 28:16 On the day after the Passover, on that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land. What did they have? vs. 11 What ceased falling from heaven on that day? vs. 12 Note: They had received manna each morning during the 40 years of the wilderness. Describe it, etc. Now they are in the land of promise (Canaan) and they can once again "eat from the land" - What a blessing! The temporary bread stopped falling from heaven, but included in the New Covenant to come was Jesus, the true manna from heaven, who gave us Himself, the Bread of Life, which we eat forever into all of eternity as believers. Comment on the following verses: John 6:28-51 What did Joshua see as he was standing near Jericho? vs. 13 What was Joshua's question to him? vs. 13 Who is "for us" and not "against us"? Comment on the verses below: Romans 8:31-39 Back to Joshua 5. ... Who did the man with the drawn sword say that He was? vs. 14 How did Joshua respond to this? vs. 14 What did the Captain of the Hosts tell Joshua? vs. 15 When was Moses told this same thing? Comment on the verse below: Exoudus 3:4-6 Exodus 3:13-15 This was surely the pre-incarnate Christ that Joshua was falling down to worship. He makes the claim of Himself in the New Testament. Comment on the verse below: John 8:56-59 The fact that Joshua is worshiping Him proves that this was not an angel in any form. Angels do not receive worship and no one should ever worship an angel. Comment on the verses below: Revelation 22:8-9 Applications: When was your heart circumcised in Christ? Did the body of flesh get cut away so that you became a brand new creation? What changes have you seen since you became a child of God? Please share. How has the "reproach of Egypt" (picture of the world's shame) been rolled away from you since you met the Living Savior? How do you die to sin each day and live unto God? What are ways that you remember the Lord's passover and your salvation? Do you celebrate it each year? How about when you take communion? How often do you take it in your church and what does it mean to you when you do? The Lord is worthy of our praise. He is the "Captain of the Lord of Hosts".  What do the Lord's armies do concerning Him? Comment on these verses and praise His Name \o/ 1 Kings. 22:19 Psalm 148:2 The Name of the Lord is Jehovah Nissi "The Lord our Banner". He fought the battles for Joshua and He is fighting our battles today. What battle is the Lord of Hosts fighting for you right now in the heavenlies? Let us share with you and pray with you. Amen. Summarize this lesson and post a prayer if you would like. Prayer Father God, I pray ...