Josué 5

1 Quando, pois, todos os reis dos amorreus que estavam ao oeste do Jordão, e todos os reis dos cananeus que estavam ao lado do mar, ouviram que o Senhor tinha secado as águas do Jordão de diante dos filhos de Israel, até que passassem, derreteu-se-lhes o coração, e não houve mais ânimo neles, por causa dos filhos de Israel.

2 Naquele tempo disse o Senhor a Josué: Faze facas de pederneira, e circuncida segunda vez aos filhos de Israel.

3 Então Josué fez facas de pederneira, e circuncidou aos filhos de Israel em Gibeate-Haaralote.

4 Esta é a razão por que Josué os circuncidou: todo o povo que tinha saído do Egito, os homens, todos os homens de guerra, já haviam morrido no deserto, pelo caminho, depois que saíram do Egito.

5 Todos estes que saíram estavam circuncidados, mas nenhum dos que nasceram no deserto, pelo caminho, depois de terem saído do Egito, havia sido circuncidado.

6 Pois quarenta anos andaram os filhos de Israel pelo deserto, até se acabar toda a nação, isto é, todos os homens de guerra que saíram do Egito, e isso porque não obedeceram � voz do Senhor; aos quais o Senhor tinha jurado que não lhes havia de deixar ver a terra que, com juramento, prometera a seus pais nos daria, terra que mana leite e mel.

7 Mas em lugar deles levantou seus filhos; a estes Josué circuncidou, porquanto estavam incircuncisos, porque não os haviam circuncidado pelo caminho.

8 E depois que foram todos circuncidados, permaneceram no seu lugar no arraial, até que sararam.

9 Disse então o Senhor a Josué: Hoje revolvi de sobre vós o opróbrio do Egito; pelo que se chama aquele lugar: Gilgal, até o dia de hoje.

10 Estando, pois, os filhos de Israel acampados em Gilgal, celebraram a páscoa no dia catorze do mês, � tarde, nas planícies de Jericó.

11 E, ao outro dia depois da páscoa, nesse mesmo dia, comeram, do produto da terra, pães ázimos e espigas tostadas.

12 E no dia depois de terem comido do produto da terra, cessou o maná, e os filhos de Israel não o tiveram mais; porém nesse ano comeram dos produtos da terra de Canaã.

13 Ora, estando Josué perto de Jericó, levantou os olhos, e olhou; e eis que estava em pé diante dele um homem que tinha na mão uma espada nua. Chegou-se Josué a ele, e perguntou-lhe: És tu por nós, ou pelos nossos adversários?

14 Respondeu ele: Não; mas venho agora como príncipe do exército do Senhor. Então Josué, prostrando-se com o rosto em terra, o adorou e perguntou-lhe: Que diz meu Senhor ao seu servo?

15 Então respondeu o príncipe do exército do Senhor a Josué: Tira os sapatos dos pés, porque o lugar em que estás é santo. E Josué assim fez:

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.

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.