Joshua 5:2 - Matthew Henry

Joshua 5:2

The Second Generation Circumcised

1 So it was, when all the kings of the Amorites who were on the west side of the Jordan, and all the kings of the Canaanites ^awho were by the sea, ^bheard that the Lord had dried up the waters of the Jordan from before the children of Israel until¹ we had crossed over, that their heart melted; ^cand there was no spirit in them any longer because of the children of Israel.

2 At that time the Lord said to Joshua, “Make ^aflint knives for yourself, and circumcise the sons of Israel again the second time.”

3 So Joshua made flint knives for himself, and circumcised the sons of Israel at¹ the hill of the foreskins.

4 And this is the reason why Joshua circumcised them: ^aAll the people who came out of Egypt who were males, all the men of war, had died in the wilderness on the way, after they had come out of Egypt.

5 For all the people who came out had been circumcised, but all the people born in the wilderness, on the way as they came out of Egypt, had not been circumcised.

6 For the children of Israel walked ^aforty years in the wilderness, till all the people who were men of war, who came out of Egypt, were¹ consumed, because they did not obey the voice of the Lord—to whom the Lord swore that ^bHe would not show them the land which the Lord had sworn to their fathers that He would give us, ^c“a land flowing with milk and honey.”

7 Then Joshua circumcised ^atheir sons whom He raised up in their place; for they were uncircumcised, because they had not been circumcised on the way.

8 So it was, when they had finished circumcising all the people, that they stayed in their places in the camp ^atill they were healed.

9 Then the Lord said to Joshua, “This day I have rolled away ^athe reproach of Egypt from you.” Therefore the name of the place is called ^bGilgal to this day.

Commentaries:

Matthew Henry

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Joshua 5:1-15

The Canaanites are afraid, Circumcision renewed. (1-9) The passover at Gilgal The manna ceases. (10-12) The Captain of the Lord's host appears to Joshua. (13-15)

Verses 1-9 How dreadful is their case, who see the wrath of God advancing towards them, without being able to turn it aside, or escape it! Such will be the horrible situation of the wicked; nor can words express the anguish of their feelings, or the greatness of their terror. Oh that they would now take warning, and before it be too late, flee for refuge to lay hold upon that hope set before them in the gospel! God impressed these fears on the Canaanites, and dispirited them. This gave a short rest to the Israelites, and circumcision rolled away the reproach of Egypt. They were hereby owned to be the free-born children of God, having the seal of the covenant. When God glorifies himself in perfecting the salvation of his people, he not only silences all enemies, but rolls back their reproaches upon themselves.

Verses 10-12 A solemn passover was kept, at the time appointed by the law, in the plains of Jericho, in defiance of the Canaanites round about them. It was a performance of the promise, that when they went up to keep the feasts, their land should be under the special protection of the Divine providence, exodus 34:24 . Notice is taken of the ceasing of the manna as soon as they had eaten the old corn of the land. For as it came just when they needed, so it continued as long as they needed it. This teaches us not to expect supplies by miracles, when they may be had in a common way. The word and ordinances of God are spiritual manna, with which God nourishes his people in this wilderness. Though often forfeited, yet they are continued while we are here; but when we come to the heavenly Canaan, this manna will cease, for we shall no longer need it.

Verses 13-15 We read not of any appearance of God's glory to Joshua till now. There appeared to him one as a man to be noticed. This Man was the Son of God, the eternal Word. Joshua gave him Divine honours: he received them, which a created angel would not have done, and he is called Jehovah, chap. 6:2. To Abraham he appeared as a traveller; to Joshua as a man of war. Christ will be to his people what their faith needs. Christ had his sword drawn, which encouraged Joshua to carry on the war with vigour. Christ's sword drawn in his hand, denotes how ready he is for the defence and salvation of his people. His sword turns every way. Joshua will know whether he is a friend or a foe. The cause between the Israelites and Canaanites, between Christ and Beelzebub, will not admit of any man's refusing to take one part or the other, as he may do in worldly contests. Joshua's inquiry shows an earnest desire to know the will of Christ, and a cheerful readiness and resolution to do it. All true Christians must fight under Christ's banner, and they will conquer by his presence and assistance.

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The Second Generation Circumcised

A Verse and a Thought,Every Morning

A Verse and a Thought,
Every Morning