I am reading in the Book of Joshua today and I came across a great perspective on “spiritual circumcision” for the follower of Christ.

When Israel finished their wandering in the wilderness and Moses died, God put Joshua in charge over the people of Israel. As they were traveling, they came to the Jordan River where they had to cross to get into the promised land. God told Joshua to have the priests step into the water while they were carrying the Ark of the Covenant. As soon as they did that, the water backed up on both sides and dry land appeared. The people were able to cross on dry land and the priests stood there until the entire community of many hundreds of thousands crossed. This was the 10th day of the first month, which is Nissan on their calendar.

What is interesting is that when the Amorite Kings and Canaanite Kings heard about The LORD drying up the Jordan River so the people could walk over on dry ground, “they lost heart and were paralyzed with fear”. (Joshua 5:1 NLT). We know that one of these days, people who have rejected God’s call to salvation will lose heart as they keel shaking in their boots before the King of Kings and recognize Him as The Lord of Lords.

After Israel they crossed Jordan and set up stones to mark a memorial for remembrance, The LORD told Joshua to circumcise the males because all those who were born after The Exodus from Egypt had not been circumcised. They actually took their fathers places. Only those who died in the wilderness had been circumcised and they were not allowed to see the promised land because of their griping and complaining.

Now we get to the heart of this message. After crossing over Jordan river, those males had to be circumcised before they could go any farther. Before they fought the battles with the people who lived in those cities and towns they had to be circumcised.

Crossing Jordan and heading for the promised land and being circumcised is a picture of salvation. Spiritual circumcision is the beginning of our life with Christ. Notice what Paul says: “When you came to Christ, you were circumcised, but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a ‘spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature.” (Colossians 2:11). Then Paul talks about how you were baptized with Christ and your old life was buried and then you were raised to new life. Verse 13 says: “You were dead because your sinful nature was not yet cut away.” That was your “spiritual circumcision!” Paul says that we are to know that our old sin nature is dead and we are to live for Christ.

Do you see the significance to that? It is awesome! Christ spiritually cut away your old sinful nature and you are dead to it. Why do we constantly want to go back to Egypt spiritually and partake in sinful living. In Joshua 5:9, after circumcising these new males, God told Joshua: “Today I have rolled away the shame of your slavery in Egypt.”

Why do we not sense the freedom that Christ has given us? Why do we believe that we cannot conquer the sins that so easily beset us? If we have put on the helmet of salvation then Satan cannot mess with our minds. If we have the breastplate of Righteousness, our hearts are protected and we don’t chase after things of this world. If we hold the shield of faith, we can thwart the enemies attack! We must use the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. God told Joshua to read and meditate on the Book of Instruction day and night so he could be a great leader. We must spend time in God’s Word. Then we will know how to put on the belt of Truth and stand firm no matter what comes our way. And believe me, it will come your way. It is only Christs’ stabilizing power that keeps us on the straight and narrow.

All praise and thanksgiving be to our God forever and ever. Amen

May God bless you richly.

Dr Ken Lewis ThD