“At that time the Lord said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites again. So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the Israelites at Gilbreath Haaroloth.” (Joshua 5:2-3 NIV)
It’s a little off-putting how often I write about circumcision on this blog, isn’t it? But as New Testament believers, we remember that circumcision was an outward expression of an Israelite’s covenant with God. Surrendering such a private part of oneself had profound spiritual implications. As modern believers, we no longer circumcise outer appendages, but we are called to a circumcision of the heart. (Romans 2:29)
Today, though, let’s look at this second act of circumcision on the outer edge of Canaan. I believe this was an incredible act of absolute trust on the part of the Israelites. They had just completed their desert sentence. Moses had died on the last mountain in Moab. The twelve tribes had miraculously passed through the Jordan River as the Lord held the current back upstream. (Picture waters heaped up on themselves; it’s a pretty impressive mental image!) Now these road-weary folks had crossed the border of their new (though occupied) labs and they were certainly chaffing at the bit to get settled.
Pull back with me a moment and appreciate the big picture happening here. This was the second generation of Israelites, the first had all passed on in the desert as a direct result of their disbelief. And this second generation needed to confirm their covenant as they stepped into the Promised Land, just as their parents had confirmed their covenant immediately following their exodus from Egypt. The first generation crossed the Red Sea and gave themselves over to God through circumcision. The second generation crossed the Jordan River and then gave themselves over to God through circumcision just as their parents had previously.
I mentioned earlier how this collective circumcision was a profound act of faith. The Israelites had just stepped into enemy territory. This was the land that ten spies declared to be unpossessable. And as a first measure in a foreign and potentially hostile land, God required the temporary incapacitation of the entire male population. If you recall the story of Shechem on Genesis 34; corporate surgical recovery is risky business. The male population of Shechem did not live to tell the story.
Israelites were big history buffs. They would have known the danger of sitting injured just over the border. But still they obeyed. In fact, we read of no objections to this massive surgical undertaking. They followed through on God’s instructions and in turn, He took joy in protecting His people as an initial provision in a new land.
So what are the implications and applications for us as New Testament believers? We can trust God when He calls us out into new and potentially scary places. We can obey with full confidence in His protective and provisional love for us as sons and daughters. Our chief concern is still obedience and attitude, because obedience with a wrong heart isn’t truly obedience.
“The Lord God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love Him with all your heart and all your soul, and live.” (Deuteronomy 30:6 NIV)
Lord, thank You for the ongoing example of t the Israelite children. We are encouraged and corrected by their story. Please help us in this area of joyful obedience. We long to go where You’ve called us and do what You require with a right heart. Thank You for Your promises of protection and provision as we learn to live in obedience to Your perfect will. Amen.