Painful Cutting and Removal

Nov. 15

Read: Joshua 5:1-12

Painful Cutting and Removal

“…(the enemies of the Lord) heard that the LORD had dried up the waters of the Jordan for the people of Israel until they had crossed over, their hearts melted and there was no longer any spirit in them because of the people of Israel.” (v.1)

“At that time the LORD said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the sons of Israel a second time.” (v.2)

The work of God in and for his people is observable from the outside… it is able to be seen. Furthermore, being made fit for battle and for the Lord will always involve a painful cutting and removal of something from us…a “pruning” from the hand of another - not something we do to ourselves. Both of these truths are worked out here in Joshua 5.

How did the Amorite and Canaanite kings know that the Lord had parted the Jordan river? Someone had to be there to witness it… to tell them about it. I doubt it was simply the Israelites telling them… think about it. In a world where people are represented and ruled by their gods, it would not carry much effect or weight to brag about your own gods feats of strength without any witnesses. I don’t think that these people’s “hearts melted and there was no longer any spirit in them” simply because an Israelite told them a story about YHWH. God’s display of power on behalf of his people was done in full view of these people who rebelled against God Most High. They knew that the God of Israel was more powerful than their gods and they quaked. Notice last at the end of verse one it says: “because of the people of Israel.” The work of the Lord is linked to his people in this world. Somehow, these Amorite and Canaanite kings knew to attribute the power to God, but at the same time linked this power and working in this world to God’s people.

Secondly, circumcision is a painful cutting and removal of the flesh. The sharpened flint knife was held int he hand of another… it was voluntary in one sense (a person submitted to it) and yet it was done at the hand of another. This reminds me of the words that Jesus says in John 15:2: “…and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” In this teaching from Jesus, to be able to “bear more fruit” we must endure “pruning" - a painful cutting and removal at the hands of the vinedresser. I see the same image here. These Israelites were faithful followers of YHWH. They had endured the wilderness and in it “born fruit” of faith and trust in the Lord. They had been “fruitful” in their obedience to the Lord and trusting him as they crossed over the “chaos and evil” of the Jordan river. Now they stood on the other side - having “born fruit” - and at the hands of Joshua and the flint knife as directed by the Lord (the “vinedresser” of John 15) they are called to a painful cutting and removal. A part of them - their flesh - must be taken away… it must “die”. This circumcision would leave a mark… and outward sign… a reminder. It was in the most sensitive and intimate of places to be cut. This “scar” left from “pruning” was not visible to everyone. In fact, the most sensitive “marks” or “scars” from “pruning” (here, circumcision) are only seen in the context of the most intimate relationships… and most vulnerable and “naked” of all moments!

What happens after all this? The Lord calls the people to rest and heal… and they share a meal with God. The people of God celebrate the passover and the meal they eat with the Lord. This too is linked back to the scene of Jesus and John 15. It is at the last supper… the celebration of passover between Jesus and his disciples… that the teaching of John 15 is given. It is here that Jesus calls his disciples no longer servants but friends. God sits with his people as they heal and shares a meal with them in deep relationship with them on the other side of this cutting and removal. What a sweet picture of God’s love for his people. So today, remember this: God; work is REAL and observable on the outside, we will face moments of “pruning” when we bear fruit in this world - moments of painful “cuts” and loss not at our own hands, and the Lord sits with us as we heal and shares a meal with us in fellowship and love for us. This is prepares us for the battle that lies ahead… this is what happens as we are “entering into the promised land”. Love you guys. - JDP