Joshua 5:8-10

“And after the whole nation had been circumcised, they remained where they were in camp until they were healed. 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. On the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, while camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, the Israelites celebrated the Passover.”

There are, in the Scripture history, many important incidents which we overlook, as not supposing them to be capable of any spiritual improvement. To those, indeed, which are directly typical, we pay attention, because they are illustrative of the Gospel. But if they do not command our respect in that view—then we rarely consider what great practical lessons may be derived from them for the regulation of our conduct. But if, in reading the Sacred Oracles, we were frequently to ask ourselves this question, What is the state of mind which is manifested in this or that action? we should gain an insight into many truths which now utterly escape us; and derive to our souls far greater benefit than we can readily imagine.

Take, for instance, the conduct of Joshua on his entrance into Canaan. Doubtless it was novel and curious, and such as we would not have expected; but we little think what exceedingly rich instruction it is calculated to convey. To point out this, will be my endeavor at this time. Yet, in pointing it out, I have in view, not merely the elucidation of this particular event, but a general suggestion as to the mode in which the Scripture history may be improved. Let us then consider,

I. The conduct of Joshua on his entrance into Canaan.

God had opened for him, and for all Israel, a passage through Jordan, at a time when it overflowed all its banks; just as he had for Moses through the Red Sea, at the time of his departure from Egypt. Now, therefore,

What should we expect to be the conduct of Joshua?

Certainly, I apprehend, if he acted on principles which were common to all other generals when invading an enemy’s country, he would either prosecute his advantage instantly, while all his enemies were filled with terror, and crush them before they had any time to concert measures for their defense; or he would fortify his own camp, to prevent surprise, and prepare for carrying on his conquests by such a disposition of his army as his skill in war might suggest.

But, what is the information given in our text?

Behold, instead of adopting any military plans whatever, the very day after he had invaded a country in which there were seven nations greater and mightier than his, he appointed every male in the whole nation that had been born in the wilderness, and consequently that was under forty years of age, to be circumcised. He did not even wait a day, to know what the effect of his invasion would be, or what efforts his enemies were making to repel it; but by one act disabled the greater part of his whole army from even standing in their own defense.

It may seem strange, that Moses, whose own life had been endangered by neglecting to circumcise his son, Exodus 4:24-26, should allow the whole nation of Israel, who until the hour of their departure from Egypt had observed the rite of circumcision, utterly to neglect it for forty years. Whence this neglect arose, we are not informed; but I conceive, that if in the first instance it arose from the unsettled state of the people until they came to Mount Horeb, and was permitted by Moses for about three months on that account, it was allowed afterwards by God as a just judgment on account of the worship paid to the golden calf, and because of the murmuring of the people at Kadesh-barnea when they were discouraged by the report of the spies who had searched out the land.

On the former occasion, Moses broke the tablets of the covenant, to show that the covenant which God had made with them was dissolved. On the latter occasion, God swore that not a soul of those who had attained the age of twenty at the time of their departure from Egypt should ever enter into the promised land. Being thus disclaimed by God as his peculiar people, they were allowed to withhold from their descendants, for forty years together, that seal by which alone they could be admitted into covenant with God.

But, however the neglect originated, so it was that not one of all the children of Israel was circumcised for the space of forty years; and all of these did Joshua circumcise, the very day after his entrance into Canaan.

Only three days after this, (for they passed over Jordan on the tenth day of the month, and kept the Passover on the fourteenth, at evening, (compare Joshua 4:19 with Joshua 5:2; Joshua 5:10,) did he also enjoin the observance of the Passover. The Passover had also been neglected, just as circumcision had been, Amos 5:25 and Acts 7:42; and now that also must be revived, together with the attendant feast of unleavened bread.

But was this a fit season for such observances? Had not Joshua other matters to occupy his attention? In a time of peace we might well expect that a holy man of God would renew these ordinances; but at the very moment of invading an enemy’s country, and within two or three miles of a fortified and strongly-garrisoned city, was this a measure to be adopted? Human prudence, doubtless, would have deferred it; but piety towards God was regarded by Joshua as superseding every other consideration, and as the best means of securing His favor, through whose blessing alone any human efforts could prove effectual.

Now, instead of passing over this conduct of Joshua as an event in which we have no interest, it will be well to inquire,

II. How far it is proper for our imitation at this day.

Enter into the state of Joshua’s mind at this time; and then say, whether we may not learn from his conduct, many lessons for ourselves at this day.

1. We may learn that in whatever circumstances we are in, piety should be our first concern.

If ever there were circumstances under which the offices of religion might be postponed, methinks they were those of Joshua on this occasion, when he had but just set foot on the land where great and powerful nations were prepared to combat for their very existence. And, in fact, it is the general opinion of military and naval commanders, that they have, as it were, a dispensation to neglect the ordinances of religion on account of the urgency and importance of their occupations. The same idea prevails through almost all the orders of society, every one being ready to plead his temporal engagements as an excuse for neglecting the concerns of his soul.

The statesman is too much engaged with politics;

the merchant too much engaged with business;

the philosopher too much engaged with his researches;

the student too much engaged with his books;

the servant too much engaged with his duties; and

every man too much engaged with his own separate vocation.

Each, in his place, urges his occupations as justifying a neglect of his duties towards God.

But if Joshua, under his peculiar circumstances, sought first to serve and honor God, we can have no hesitation in saying that in comparison with the divine favor there is not an object under Heaven worthy of a thought. I mean not by this to say, that we are at liberty to neglect the discharge of any office to which God in his providence has called us; or so to postpone the discharge of it as to endanger our ultimate success; far from it. It is the inward service of the soul, of which I speak; and which needs not to delay any outward act for one moment.

It is not the act of Joshua which I propose to your imitation, but the habit of his mind; and that, I say again, is proper to be exercised by every man.

2. We may learn that in whatever circumstances we are in, we should place the most implicit confidence in God.

Suppose yourself in the presence of Joshua while these religious ceremonies were proceeding; you would naturally ask: Are you not in an enemy’s land? and have you not many conflicts to maintain before you can get a quiet possession of it? Yet you seem as much at your ease as if the whole land were already subdued before you.

What reply do you suppose Joshua would make to observations like these? True, he would say, you behold me in a state of as much quietness and confidence as if I had not an enemy to contend with. But whose battles am I fighting? In whose service am I engaged? Is there any device or power that can succeed against God? In him I trust; and he it is that “keeps my mind in perfect peace, Isaiah 26:3-4.”

Now, though in respect of temporal trials we cannot be sure that we are called to them in the way that Joshua was. But in our spiritual warfare we stand, as it were, on the same ground as he; we are called to it, as he was; and it is the way appointed for our getting possession of our destined inheritance. We also have our enemies at hand, enemies with whom, in our own strength, it would be impossible for us to cope with. But “our God is for us;” and therefore, we ask with confidence, “Who can be against us?” Though in ourselves we are weak, we may be “strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” Though we have a warfare to maintain against all the powers of darkness, we should never regard it as of doubtful issue; we should assure ourselves, that in all our conflicts we shall be victorious, and that “Satan himself shall be bruised under our feet shortly! Romans 16:20.”

Already may we look upon the land as ours, and see the crowns and kingdoms there reserved for us. There, in and through the Lord Jesus Christ, we should consider ourselves as already enthroned, Ephesians 2:6; and look forward with joy to the dissolution of our earthly tabernacle, in order to its erection in that good land where it shall be the habitation of God forever and ever, 2 Corinthians 5:1; Ephesians 2:21-22.

3. We may learn that in whatever circumstances we are in, we should be determined, through grace, to “roll away the reproach” of our unconverted state.

The reproach of the Israelites in Egypt was, that they were in bondage both to men and devils; for, while they were involuntarily engaged in the service of their Egyptian task-masters, they voluntarily worshiped the gods of Egypt, Joshua 24:14 with Ezekiel 20:5-8. But behold them now consecrated to God by circumcision, and their reproach was completely rolled away.

Just so, is not the unconverted man also both a slave and an idolater? Yes, whatever be the exterior of his deportment, he serves the world, the flesh, and “the devil, by whom he is led captive at his will!” And, whether more or less correct in his outward conduct, he “worships and serves the creature more than the Creator, who is God blessed for evermore.”

Now then, I say, if you are consecrated to the Lord in baptism, your duty is to rise superior to all your lusts, and to give yourselves entirely to the service of your God. You must also, in remembrance of your adorable Redeemer, be feeding continually on his body and blood, by means of which you are to be strengthened for all your conflicts, and to be “made more than conquerors” over all your enemies! “Christ our Passover being sacrificed for us,” your whole life must be one continual feast, which you are to “keep, not with the old leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”

It is the reproach of man that ever he was the servant of sin in any degree; and this reproach we are to be rolling away; and, as the redeemed of the Lord, we are to be “glorifying God with our body and our spirit, which are his, 1 Corinthians 6:20.” To this employment I call you all. I ask you not what your engagements are in life, or what else you have to do; this I am well assured of, that there is not a person under Heaven that is not called to this duty; nor is there a circumstance that can be imagined, wherein this duty can be dispensed with. Be then, upright in serving God; and never fear but that God will be faithful in saving you.

Charles Simeon (1759-1836)