Observations and Interpretation:
(1) 3 Preparations for the invasion of Jericho
A. The crossing of the Jordan miraculously. All the kings in the Promised Land lost their courage and could not even breathe for the fear of the Israelites 5:1.
B. They submitted to the rite of their covenant, circumcision. When God made the covenant with Abraham He commanded Abraham to make circumcision as a sign of the covenant. Now, the command to circumcise the new generation probably reminded them of the covenant.
C. The appearance of the commander of the LORD's army and requested Joshua to remove his sandals because the place where he stood was holy. God appeared to Joshua to remind Joshua that He is LORD and Joshua was the servant.
Application: This is obviously not a man's battle. It is God's. Before even you entered the battle, God had prepared the hearts of the enemies, God reminded Israel about His Promise and Covenant, and finally, God appeared physically to lead His army. Joshua did what God had commanded him 5:3, 15.
Maybe not as vivid as Joshua's time, but has God reminded you that He is the commander and we are only the servant? Will we be like Joshua and let God lead us?
In what area in your life, you need to step down and let God lead you? In your financial stability? In your comfort lifestyle?
(2) Ch 6: The emphasis of the ark, the number 7, and the command to set apart for the LORD
No one goes to battle by circling the city with the ark and the blowing of the rams' horns for 7 days. The army had not done anything other than following the priests and the ark in the first 6 days v.11, 14. What did they think when they were done circling the city and went back to the camp?
On the 7th day, when the priests blew the 7 rams' horns 7 times, Joshua told the army,
17 The city and all that is in it must be set apart for the LORD;
18 But be careful when you are setting apart the riches for God. If you take any of it, then you will make the Israelite camp subject to annihilation and cause a disaster.
19 All the silver and gold, as well as bronze and iron items, belong to the LORD. They must go into the LORD’s treasury.”
Application: Since this is not your battle, and you did not contribute to any success of the battle, you have to follow God's command. The command may be strange and demand faith in obeying it. Also, the results/rewards of the battle needed to be handled God's way.
Sometimes, we may not totally understand some of the commands in the Bible. Perhaps, you feel like a "fool" to wake up early on Sunday morning and drag your whole family to the church week after week. Remember, we are not the commander of our lives. Do you have faith to obey our Commanders' command?
Audrey
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