Joshua 5:5, 7, “Now all the people that came out were circumcised: but all the people that were born in the wilderness by the way as they came forth out of Egypt, them they had not circumcised. And their children, whom He raised up in their stead, them Joshua circumcised: for they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them by the way.”
Joshua realized that the nation could not enter the land of promise if they had not kept their promise. Likewise, believers and churches should not expect God to do the impossible when we have failed to do the necessary. Circumcision was necessary for the nation of Israel. This was not a matter of preference.
This whole process was painful but necessary. No anesthesia, at least not like we have. No painless method for removing the foreskin. Now that you are squirming just a bit you are ready to grasp the point, which is this: there is no easy way around the issue. Moving forward was going to cost them something. No doubt the people dreaded the idea, at least a little bit. Yes, this should have been done before, but it wasn’t. So, it had to be done now. They needed to reaffirm their commitment to God and His work.
The concept of covenant is at the center of Biblical revelation. The theme pervades both Testaments, and the idea of covenant permeates our lives, from mortgage agreements to church membership to marriage and more. Here is a question to consider: Have you broken any covenants? While it is hard, it is also necessary to take an honest look at your life and review the promises you have made. Have they been kept?
The point is not to cause guilt, but a little conviction is alright. The point is not to beat you up with the question. That isn’t what Joshua did. The point is to reaffirm our promise. Let us begin today, to do what we can by God’s grace and power to honor our promises, our promises to God and to others.
