5 Spiritual Truths from the Plains of Jericho

Shortly after Israel entered the promised land by crossing the Jordan River, five significant events happened while they camped in the plains of Jericho. These historical events are also pictures of our salvation in Christ Jesus.

First, the Amorite and Canaanite kings, the enemies of the people of God, heard how the Lord had dried up the Jordan so Israel could enter the land. When they heard this, their hearts melted. There was no longer any spirit in them (Joshua 5:1). When Christ died on the cross for our sins and rose on the third day, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities and put them to open shame (Colossians 2:15). Even death lost its sting (1 Corinthians 15:55).

Second, God commanded Joshua to have all the men circumcised. All the adult men who left Egypt in the exodus had died in the wilderness. All the men with him now were born in the wilderness, and there had been no circumcision along the way (Joshua 5:2-8). Physical circumcision is a symbol of the circumcision of the heart (Jeremiah 4:4). The flesh is removed as we are set apart as his children (Romans 2:29). It is a picture of our new birth in Christ Jesus (Colossians 2:11).

Third, they celebrated Passover. On the fourteenth day of the month, the sacrificial lamb was presented and killed, and they put the blood on the doorpost to remember that the Angel of Death passed over them (Joshua 5:10-11). In Christ, the wages of sin, which is death, will pass us by because Jesus paid the debt for us on the cross.

Fourth, the manna ceased the day after they ate the produce of the land (Joshua 5:12). They went from having their basic needs met to feasting. Jesus is Our Daily Bread from heaven (John 6:32-33). He gives us what we need each day, but in the heavenly land, we will feast (Revelation 19:9).

Fifth, and finally, Joshua met the Angel of the Lord and fell and worshipped him. The Angel told him to remove his sandals because he was standing on holy ground (Joshua 5:13-15). One day, we will stand before Jesus in the heavenly Jerusalem, and we will be standing on holy ground.

You may feel the weight of living in the plains of Jericho. Your enemies, though defeated, still surround you, and your sinful nature, though mortally wounded, is still putting up a fight. Even though death has lost its sting, you know your final enemy still lies ahead and causes you pain when it takes the ones you love. Though he gives you the daily bread you need, you long for a feast that has not yet been filled. Finally, though you have union with Christ, you long to see him face to face. As it was for the people of God in the plains of Jericho, so it is with you. It is only a matter of time.

-D. Eaton