What does Joshua 5:5 teach about obedience to God's commands? Setting the Scene—Why Circumcision Matters “Though all the people who came out had been circumcised, none of those born in the wilderness during the journey after leaving Egypt had been circumcised.” • Circumcision was first commanded in Genesis 17:9-14 as the covenant sign between God and Abraham’s descendants. • Forty years of wilderness wandering produced a new generation that had never received this sign. • At Gilgal, just after crossing the Jordan, God pauses Israel’s military momentum to restore obedience before any battles begin (Joshua 5:2-3). Key Truths About Obedience Drawn from Joshua 5:5 • Obedience can lapse with time – The fathers obeyed; the sons neglected. Neglect never nullifies God’s command. • God waits for obedience before granting further victory – Israel could not advance on Jericho until the covenant sign was honored. • Corporate responsibility matters – The whole nation shared in correcting the disobedience of the previous generation (cf. Numbers 14:31-33). • Delayed obedience still requires full compliance – God did not offer a substitute ritual or lesser requirement. He called for literal circumcision, exactly as first given. Scripture Echoes That Reinforce the Lesson • Genesis 17:9-14—The original command, showing its permanence. • Exodus 4:24-26—Moses himself faced judgment for neglecting circumcision in his household. • Deuteronomy 10:12-16—Physical obedience points to a deeper “circumcision of the heart,” but never replaces it. • John 14:15—“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” The pattern is unchanged: love proves itself in action. Practical Takeaways for Today • Examine areas where familiarity has bred neglect. Has long-standing truth slipped into the background? • Prioritize immediate, specific obedience. God often withholds the next step of blessing until we honor the last clear instruction. • Remember that partial compliance is disobedience. Israel could not claim covenant status while ignoring the covenant sign. • Teach the next generation deliberately. Faithful fathers circumcised their sons; faithful parents today pass on God’s commands (Deuteronomy 6:6-9). Summing It Up Joshua 5:5 teaches that God’s commands remain non-negotiable, no matter how much time has passed or how inconvenient obedience may feel. Genuine faith submits to the full, literal word of God, trusting that His promised victories lie on the far side of wholehearted obedience. |
    |