Joshua 5:1-12: "The God Who Fulfills Covenants"

Joshua 5:1-12: "The God Who Fulfills Covenants"

"Their children whom He raised up in their place, Joshua circumcised; for they were uncircumcised, because they had not been circumcised on the way."

After tremendous hardship, Joshua and the Israelites finally crossed the Jordan. Their 40 years in the wilderness had ended. They built a stone memorial to remember this historic crossing and to pass the story down to their descendants.

The first act Joshua and the Israelites performed was circumcision.

"Every male among you shall be circumcised. This shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and you and your descendants." (Genesis 17:10-11)

Circumcision was the physical mark of God's covenant. It was a sign carved into their flesh to remember the covenant about descendants, becoming the father of nations, the promised land - all God's promises.

They performed this covenant sign of circumcision, which hadn't been practiced during the 40 years in the wilderness, as they ended their desert journey. Then they celebrated Passover, commemorating their liberation from Egypt through the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread.

Can you imagine how the Israelites felt as they performed this covenant sign at the very moment when God's promises to Abraham from hundreds of years earlier - promises of becoming a nation and possessing land as free people - were being fulfilled? Must it not have been deeply moving?

Joshua and the Israelites engraved this covenant sign on their bodies, but more deeply etched in their hearts was their faith in God's faithfulness - the God who fulfills His promises to Abraham. Through this covenant sign, they taught their children about the faithful God.

As we begin 2025, I hope we can freshly engrave in our hearts the faithful God who fulfills His covenants. Like Joshua and the Israelites who restored circumcision as they ended their wilderness journey, let's consider what we need to restore as we begin this new year.

Prayer: Faithful God, we praise You who never speak falsely. We praise You who train the insufficient and fulfill Your promises through them. Help us to move forward boldly in faith without disappointment or giving up. Holy Spirit, lead us to be strong and courageous. Amen.