(vs2-5) At that time the LORD said to Joshua, "Make flint knives for yourself, and circumcise the sons of Israel again the second time... And this is the reason why Joshua circumcised them: All 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.
The Lord's salvation makes us obedient. He told them, “Circumcise the sons of Israel again a second time”, and circumcision is proof of faith in Christ. Romans 4 says of Abraham, “And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe” (vs11). This mouthful means that Abraham obeyed God, circumcising his sons and male house members, because he believed the promise. Gen 17 says, “and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you”, so that we evidence that we believe, and God demands EVIDENTIARY faith, the faith that has actions, if we'll enter the benefit of honoring God and the fellowship of the Spirit.
Hear me. You will not enter in, except by faith - “So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief” (Heb 3:19). Israel didn't enter the Promised Land because they didn't believe the promise was faithful and they could overcome by Christ alone. So, before they go in the second time, they must show their faith in Christ, for He works by faith, and He blesses those who trust Him (Josh 5:9).
Secondly, God cares for us. We read, “So it was, when they had finished circumcising all the people, that they stayed in their places in the camp till they were healed” (vs8). Israel rested while they recovered from the pain of circumcision, and God patiently bears with us, knowing our frame, remembering how hard it is to obey. The Lord sweated as if it were blood, striving against sin (Luke 22:44). And, obedience is the most impossible thing in the world; it is painful and costly. Yet, He comforts us by the word saying, “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition”, that they fight against you and Christ, “but to you of salvation”, that you are hated for honoring Christ and loving them, “and that from God” (Phil 1:27-28). The gospel not only demands, but also gives, and rewards obedience.
Thirdly, the Lord Jesus is why we conquer. We read, “And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, Are You for us or for our adversaries? So He said, No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come” (vs13-14). He had His sword drawn out when He met Joshua, showing that He's no spectator. He is the “Commander of the army of the Lord”, and He is why we conquer sin. He paid for it, and He subdues it by the Spirit, while our mind is fixed on Him, feasting upon His death and redemption for us, receiving the grace that He gives. God is not watching to see how we'll do, but He's revealing that He is with us, so we'll win.
Finally, Joshua obeyed, honoring God. Not only did he circumcise Israel, but he “fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, What does my Lord say to His servant... And Joshua did so” (vs14-15).
Obedience is the path of peace, removing the reproach and removing the distance between man and God. He blesses faith.
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