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Bible Pathways 03/14/05



March 14

Read Joshua 4 - 6

In Today's Reading:

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

God had said to the Israelites: I have given you the land to possess it (Numbers 33:53); but, 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 (see Genesis 17:9-14). It was required before anyone could eat the Passover (see Exodus 12:48). After being circumcised, the new generation became identified as the Lord's Covenant people and they were qualified to keep the Passover (see Joshua 5:8,10). The Passover commemorated the Lord's deliverance of His people from Egypt and pointed the way to Jesus, the promised Passover Lamb (see 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. The Apostle Paul spoke of this new Covenant, saying: 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 you, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me. For as often as you eat this bread, and drink this cup, you do show (proclaim) the Lord's death till He come (I Corinthians 11:23-26).

The Christian's circumcision is also explained by Paul: You are complete in Him (Jesus). . . In whom also you are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by 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 (power) of God, who has raised Him from the dead. And you being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has quickened (made alive) together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses (Colossians 2:10-13).

Word Studies:

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

Christ Revealed:

As the Captain of the host (army) of the LORD (Joshua 5:14). Christ is the Captain of our salvation (Hebrews 2:10; see also Revelation 19:11-16).

Prayer Needs:

Pray for The International Shortwave Radio Broadcast sponsored by Valentine DeSanta, Jr. · BPM Staff: Karen Hawkins · Government Officials: Sen. Tom Coburn (OK) and Rep. William Jefferson (LA) · Country: Paraguay (5 million) in southern South America · Major languages: Spanish and Guarani · Religious freedom · 96% Roman Catholic; 2% Protestant · Prayer Suggestion: Ask the Lord to make you willing to go wherever He wants to send you (Isaiah 6:8).

Optional Reading: John 5

Memory Verse for the Week: Colossians 2:9



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