Josué 5

1 En efecto, un gran pánico invadió a todos los reyes amorreos que estaban al oeste del Jordán y a los reyes cananeos de la costa del Mediterráneo, cuando se enteraron de que el SEÑOR había secado el Jordán para que los israelitas lo cruzaran. ¡No se atrevían a hacerles frente!

Liberación del oprobio egipcio

2 En aquel tiempo, el SEÑOR le dijo a Josué: «Prepara cuchillos de pedernal, y vuelve a practicar la circuncisión entre los israelitas».

3 Así que Josué hizo los cuchillos y circuncidó a los varones israelitas en la colina de Aralot.^[a]

4 Realizó la ceremonia porque los israelitas en edad militar que habían salido de Egipto ya habían muerto en el desierto.

5 Todos ellos habían sido circuncidados, pero no los que nacieron en el desierto mientras el pueblo peregrinaba después de salir de Egipto.

6 Dios les había prometido a sus antepasados que les daría una tierra donde abundan la leche y la miel. Pero los israelitas que salieron de Egipto no obedecieron el SEÑOR, y por ello él juró que no verían esa tierra. En consecuencia, deambularon por el desierto durante cuarenta años, hasta que murieron todos los varones en edad militar.

7 A los hijos de estos, a quienes Dios puso en lugar de ellos, los circuncidó Josué, pues no habían sido circuncidados durante el viaje.

8 Una vez que todos fueron circuncidados, permanecieron en el campamento hasta que se recuperaron.

9 Luego el SEÑOR le dijo a Josué: «Hoy les he quitado de encima el oprobio de Egipto». Por esa razón, aquel lugar se llama Guilgal^[b] hasta el día de hoy.

Celebración de la Pascua

10 Al caer la tarde del día catorce del mes primero, mientras acampaban en la llanura de Jericó, los israelitas celebraron la Pascua.

11 Al día siguiente, después de la Pascua, el pueblo empezó a alimentarse de los productos de la tierra, de panes sin levadura y de trigo tostado.

12 Desde ese momento dejó de caer maná, y durante todo ese año el pueblo se alimentó de los frutos de la tierra.

El comandante del ejército del SEÑOR

13 Cierto día Josué, que acampaba cerca de Jericó, levantó la vista y vio a un hombre de pie frente a él, espada en mano. Josué se le acercó y le preguntó:—¿Es usted de los nuestros, o del enemigo?

14 —¡De ninguno! —respondió—. Me presento ante ti como comandante del ejército del SEÑOR.Entonces Josué se postró rostro en tierra y le preguntó:—¿Qué órdenes trae usted, mi Señor, para este siervo suyo?

15 El comandante del ejército del SEÑOR le contestó:—Quítate las sandalias de los pies, porque el lugar que pisas es sagrado.Y Josué le obedeció.

Josué 5 Commentary

Chapter 5

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.

Footnotes

• [a]. En hebreo, "Aralot " significa "prepucios" .
• [b]. En hebreo, "Guilgal " suena como el verbo traducido "he quitado" .

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO JOSHUA 5

The Canaanites being dispirited on the passage of the children of Israel through Jordan, Jos 5:1; Joshua is ordered to circumcise such of the people of Israel that were uncircumcised, Jos 5:2-9; in order to their eating of the passover, which was now to be kept, Jos 5:10; and they being now provided with corn sufficient, the manna ceased, Jos 5:11,12; and there appeared to Joshua a divine Person, in an human form, to encourage and direct him what to do in the conquest of the land, and particularly Jericho, Jos 5:13-15.