December 30, 2011 – Joshua 5 – 6

First camp of Israel after the crossing. About 5 miles from the river.

Here is the moment when Israel’s enemies should have taken advantage. All the men of fighting age were vulnerable and needed time to recover. Joshua did not need to be circumcised because he had it done the first time around. I guess I never thought about whether they did this or not while in the wilderness. I thought they would have, just making it part of the ritual when a male was born, but evidently this was not done so that this new generation had to recommit themselves to this covenant with God.

Is this commander of the army of god St. Michael I wonder. And I was thinking the manna had stopped coming long ago, but evidently it went until the very eve of Joshua’s campaign.

If you ever watch the Veggie Tales version of this story, it brings up a point that isn’t really talked about hear. How close did they march to the walls and did Jericho attack them from the walls while they walked. If Israel was far enough away, then it really isn’t an issue, except that the distance they walked was longer and doing it 7 times on the last day might have taken all day. If they walked close enough, why wouldn’t Jericho attack them while they walked and if Israel just kept walking while being attacked, it took a lot of persevering to keep doing it for 7 days, going out an walking and being quite while being attacked. Especially since, according to the way I read it, Joshua didn’t let them know what was going on until the very end. This shows their trust in Joshua.

Rahab, before she was in the line of Christ, was in the line of David. I don’t know if that is brought up when David is made king, but you would think they would make that connection. Not only did God pick the youngest of a poor shepherd, but he has Rahab the prostitute in his line.