Josué 5

1 Cuando todos los reyes amorreos al occidente del Jordán y todos los reyes cananeos que vivían a lo largo de la costa del mar Mediterráneo
oyeron cómo el Señor
había secado el río Jordán para que el pueblo de Israel pudiera cruzar, se desanimaron y quedaron paralizados de miedo a causa de los israelitas.

2 Israel restablece las ceremonias del pacto
En esos días, el Señor
le dijo a Josué: «Prepara cuchillos de piedra y circuncida a esta segunda generación de israelitas».

3 Así que Josué preparó cuchillos de piedra y circuncidó a toda la población masculina de Israel en Guibeá-haaralot.

4 Josué tuvo que circuncidarlos, porque todos los hombres que tenían edad suficiente para ir a la guerra cuando salieron de Egipto habían muerto en el desierto.

5 Todos los que salieron de Egipto habían sido circuncidados, pero no los que nacieron después del éxodo, durante los años en el desierto.

6 Los israelitas anduvieron cuarenta años por el desierto hasta que murieron todos los hombres que salieron de Egipto y que tenían edad para ir a la guerra. Ellos habían desobedecido al Señor
, por eso el Señor
juró que no los dejaría entrar en la tierra que había prometido darnos, una tierra donde fluyen la leche y la miel.

7 Entonces Josué circuncidó a los hijos de esos israelitas —los que habían crecido para tomar el lugar de sus padres— porque no habían sido circuncidados en el camino a la Tierra Prometida.

8 Después de ser circuncidados, todos los varones descansaron en el campamento hasta que sanaron.

9 Luego el Señor
le dijo a Josué: «Hoy he hecho que la vergüenza de su esclavitud en Egipto salga rodando como una piedra». Por eso, ese lugar se llama Gilgal
hasta el día de hoy.

10 Mientras los israelitas acampaban en Gilgal, sobre la llanura de Jericó, celebraron la Pascua al atardecer del día catorce del primer mes.

11 Justo al día siguiente, empezaron a comer pan sin levadura y grano tostado, cosechado de la tierra.

12 El maná dejó de caer el día que empezaron a comer de las cosechas de la tierra y nunca más se vio. Así que, desde ese momento, los israelitas comieron de las cosechas de Canaán.

13 El comandante del Señor
frente a Josué
Cuando Josué estaba cerca de la ciudad de Jericó, miró hacia arriba y vio a un hombre parado frente a él con una espada en la mano. Josué se le acercó y le preguntó:
—¿Eres amigo o enemigo?

14 —Ninguno de los dos —contestó—. Soy el comandante del ejército del Señor
.
Entonces Josué cayó rostro en tierra ante él con reverencia.
—Estoy a tus órdenes —dijo Josué—. ¿Qué quieres que haga tu siervo?

15 El comandante del ejército del Señor
contestó:
—Quítate las sandalias, porque el lugar donde estás parado es santo.
Y Josué hizo lo que se le indicó.

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.