Joshua 5-7

“So he raised up their sons in their place, and these were the ones Joshua circumcised” (5:7). After coming out of Egypt, the first generation of Israelites died in the wilderness because of their rebellion. The new generation had to be circumcised as a sign of their total reliance on God, and their victories depended on faithful obedience. When Achan stole plunder from battle and hid it, all Israel was weakened. God told them, “You cannot stand against your enemies” until the sin was removed (7:13).

“Are you for us or for our enemies?” (5:13). The angel told Joshua: “Neither.” Our real enemy is the rebellion of our own souls, and our victory is through our whole-heartedness trust in Jesus.