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Bible Pathways 03/14/2004


March 14

Read Joshua 4 -- 6

In Today's Reading:

Memorial at Gilgal; circumcision; Passover at Gilgal; manna ceases; Jericho besieged and destroyed

God said to the Israelites: I have given you the land to possess it (Numbers 33:53); however, the promises of God always include personal responsibilities for the receivers of those promises. Before going further into the land, the LORD said to Joshua . . . circumcise again the children of Israel (Joshua 5:2-5).

The rite of circumcision had been instituted by the Lord with Abraham, the father of the faithful, as a visible sign of the people's Covenant relationship with Him (Genesis 17:9-14). Circumcision of all males was required before eating the Passover (Exodus 12:48). After being circumcised, the new generation also became identified as the Lord's Covenant people and was qualified to keep the Passover (Joshua 5:8,10). The Passover commemorated the Lord's deliverance of His people from Egypt and pointed the way to the coming messianic Deliverer (I Corinthians 5:7). Circumcision and the Passover foreshadowed the ordinances (commands) of believer's baptism and the Lord's Supper for the Church.

At His last Passover, our Lord Jesus revealed that His death would fulfill and replace the Passover. Concerning this new ordinance, the Apostle Paul wrote: The Lord Jesus the same night in which He was betrayed took bread: And when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, Take, eat: this is My body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of Me. After the same manner also He took the cup, when He had supped (finished eating), saying: This cup is the New Testament (Covenant) in My blood: this do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me (I Corinthians 11:23-26).

The Christian's circumcision is also explained by Paul: You are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also you are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who has raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, has He quickened (made alive) together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses (Colossians 2:11-13).

Word Studies:

6:17,18 accursed = devoted, set apart, as holy unto the LORD for destruction (compare Leviticus 27:28); 6:26 adjured them = made them take an oath.

Christ Revealed:

As the Captain of the host of the LORD (Joshua 5:14). Christ is the Captain of our salvation (Hebrews 2:10).

Prayer Needs:

Government Official: Rep. William Jefferson (LA) · Country: Somalia (7 million) on the Horn of Africa · Major languages: Somali and Arabic · Islam is officially favored and all other religions are opposed · 99.8% Muslim; .1% Christian · Prayer Suggestion: Praise the Lord for His wonderful blessings (Psalm 150:2).

Optional Reading: John 5

Memory Verse for the Week: John 3:16