Joshua 5:1-12 Preparedness

Objectives

• Students will recognize God's demand for reliance on Him through the circumcision after crossing the Jordan.

Opening

• What are the prerequisites qualifications before someone could do the job you do?

• Why do she jobs have prerequisites?

Joshua 5:1-12 Preparedness Handout

Main Body

Renewall (V. 1-9)

• If you were the preparing to enter battle and your enemy was in the position of the Canaanite in Joshua 5:1, what might you be inclined to do?
  • Many would probably dive headlong into battle under their own might and self-confidence.

• Instead of heading straight into battle, what does God ask the Israelites to do in Joshua 5:2-3?
  • Circumcise all the males under 40.

• According to Joshua 5:4-6, why did God ask Israel to do this?
  • God wanted the Israelites to get off to the right start upon entering the land. This was commanded in Genesis 17:9-14 and apparently that command had been ignored during the wilderness wanderings.

• Deuteronomy 10:14-17 provides us a parallel to the physical circumcision. What is that parallel?
  • Spiritual circumcision apparently involves committing one's self to God's leading and direction. An uncircumcised heart means a will that is hardened against God’s commands. It is another way of saying the person is stiff-necked or stubborn (cf. 9:6, 13; 31:27). Thus the command to circumcise their hearts assumes that human hearts are naturally rebellious and need correction.

Conclusion

• What are some ways in which God asks Christians to step into the flooded Jordan today?
• Can you think of any specific points in your life where God asked you to step out in faith?
• Are there any specific areas in which we, as a corporate body, are being asked to step out in faith?

Jack S. Deere, “Deuteronomy,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 281.