Introduction

Joshua 5 records three significant events before the conquest begins: the circumcision of Israel at Gilgal, the celebration of Passover, and Joshua's mysterious encounter with the commander of the LORD's army. These events prepare Israel spiritually for battle, marking them as God's covenant people and clarifying who truly leads the conquest.

The Canaanites' Fear (Verse 1)

[1] News of the Jordan crossing reaches the Amorite kings west of the Jordan and the Canaanite kings along the coast. Their hearts melt and "they no longer had the courage to face the Israelites." The miracle accomplished its purpose—enemy morale collapses before any battle begins (Joshua 2:11">Joshua 2:11).

Circumcision at Gilgal (Verses 2-9)

[2-3] The LORD commands Joshua: "Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites again." Joshua obeys, circumcising them at Gibeath Haaraloth ("the hill of foreskins").

[4-7] The explanation follows: all the men of military age who left Egypt had been circumcised, but they had all died in the wilderness because of disobedience. The generation born during the forty-year journey had not been circumcised. Now Joshua circumcises them, fulfilling the covenant requirement given to Abraham (Genesis 17:10-14">Genesis 17:10-14).

[8-9] Israel stays in camp until they heal. The LORD tells Joshua: "Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you." The place is named Gilgal, meaning "rolling." The "reproach of Egypt"—their identity as slaves, their wilderness wandering, their uncircumcised state—is removed. They are now fully marked as God's covenant people.

Notably, this circumcision takes place while they're vulnerable in enemy territory—an act of faith showing they trust God more than military readiness.

The First Passover in Canaan (Verses 10-12)

[10] On the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, Israel celebrates Passover on the plains of Jericho. This is exactly forty years after the original Passover in Egypt (Exodus 12:6">Exodus 12:6).

[11-12] The day after Passover, they eat some of the produce of the land: unleavened bread and roasted grain. The manna, which had sustained them for forty years, stops that very day. "There was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate the produce of Canaan." The wilderness provision ends because the promise is beginning—they now eat from the land God swore to give them.

The Commander of the LORD's Army (Verses 13-15)

[13] Near Jericho, Joshua looks up and sees "a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand." Joshua approaches and asks: "Are you for us or for our enemies?"

[14] The response is unexpected: "Neither, but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come." This figure is not an ordinary angel—He commands the LORD's army and accepts worship that angels refuse (Revelation 22:8-9">Revelation 22:8-9). Most interpreters understand this as a theophany—a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ.

Joshua falls facedown in reverence and asks, "What message does my Lord have for his servant?"

[15] The commander replies: "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy." Joshua obeys. This command echoes God's words to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:5">Exodus 3:5), confirming the divine nature of this encounter.

The question "Are you for us or for our enemies?" receives neither answer. God is not on Israel's side—Israel must be on God's side. The commander comes not to take orders but to give them. The true leader of the conquest is revealed.

Key Takeaways

• Covenant identity precedes conquest: Circumcision marked Israel as God's people before battle began.
• Faith trumps military wisdom: Being circumcised in enemy territory showed trust in God's protection.
• God's provision matches the season: Manna ends when the land's produce becomes available.
• God leads His own battles: The commander of the LORD's army, not Joshua, leads the conquest.
• Holy ground demands holiness: Even Joshua must remove his sandals in God's presence.

Reflection Questions

1. What does circumcision during vulnerability teach about prioritizing spiritual readiness over practical safety?
2. How does the ending of manna illustrate God's provision matching our circumstances?
3. Why is the commander's answer—"Neither"—so significant for understanding God's relationship to our causes?
4. How should the commander's identity change how we view "our" battles?