Chapter 5

5:2  At that time the LORD said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time.

circumcision

Circumcision is the "sign" of the Abrahamic Covenant Genesis 17:7-14 ; Romans 4:11 . "The reproach of Egypt" was that, during the later years of the Egyptian bondage, this separating sign had been neglected (cf. Exodus 4:24-26 and this neglect had continued during the wilderness wanderings. The N.T. analogue is world conformity; the failure openly to take a believer's place with Christ in death and resurrection. ; Romans 6:2-11 ; Galatians 6:14-16 . Spiritually it is mortifying the deeds of the body through the Spirit. ; Romans 8:13 ; Galatians 5:16 Galatians 5:17 ; Colossians 2:11 Colossians 2:12 ; 3:5-10 .

5:11  And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the passover, unleavened cakes, and parched corn in the selfsame day.

corn

The manna is a type of Christ in humiliation, known "after the flesh," giving his flesh that the believer might have life John 6:49-51 while the "old corn of the land" is Christ apprehended as risen, glorified, and seated in the heavenlies. Occupation with Christ on earth, "crucified through weakness," tends to a wilderness experience. An experience befitting the believer's place in the heavenlies demands an apprehension of the power of His resurrection ; 2 Corinthians 5:16 ; 13:4 ; Philippians 3:10 ; Ephesians 1:15-23 . It is the contrast between "milk" and "meat" in Paul's writings. ; 1 Corinthians 3:1 1 Corinthians 3:2 ; Hebrews 5:12-14 ; 6:1-3 .

5:15  And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.

holy

Trans. "consecrated," Joshua 6:19 in R.V. "holy."