JOSHUA KEEPS THE COVENANT OF CIRCUMCISION
Before Joshua could take the city of Jericho, God had to remind him concerning the covenant that he, (God) made with his servant Abraham. The people could not go in and take the city without first being consecrated unto the Lord. The Lord told Joshua to circumcise the Israelites. All of the males that came out of Egypt when Moses brought them out were circumcised, but because they disobeyed God's command they did not see the promise land. So for forty years God had them roam around in the desert until that generation was destroyed.

All of the male children that were born to the Israelites during their journey through the desert were not circumcised, so by the time the old generation died out they needed to renew their covenant with God, which was the covenant of circumcision.

JOSHUA'S SUCCESS DEPENDED ON HIS COVENANT WITH GOD
Joshua could not be successful if he did not come into covenant with God. God told him not to depart from the book of the law, but that he should meditate upon the law continuously. Those five books that Joshua had, contained the covenant of God, which he made with Abraham. The circumcision that Joshua performed on the Israelites, was simply the sign that he obeyed God's Law.

Circumcision began with Abraham
It was right after God spoke to Abraham concerning all the promises that he had for him, that God gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision. Everyone who was not circumcised was cut off from the blessing. Likewise we who are called by the Lord are urged by him to be circumcised in our hearts in order for us to get the full blessing.

1. JOSHUA BECOMES MOSES' SUCCESSOR

A. God speaks to Joshua. Verse 1
B. God promises Joshua the land. Verse 2
C. God shows Joshua the territory of his success. Verse 3-4
D. God promises Joshua victory over all the enemies. Verse 5
E. God encourages Joshua to be strong and courageous. Verse 6
F. God admonishes Joshua not to depart from the book of the law. Verse 7
G. God reconfirms the promise of his presence with Joshua. Verse 8
H. Joshua gives the command to his officials to get the people ready. Verse 9


2. JOSHUA AND HIS PEOPLE CROSS-THE JORDAN

A. Joshua sets out toward the Jordan Verse 1
B. Joshua camps before the Jordan. Verse 2
C. Joshua tells the people to move with the Ark of God. Verse 3
D. Joshua admonishes the people to stay behind the Ark of God. Verse for 4
E. Joshua tells the people to consecrate themselves. Verse 5
F. Joshua instructs the priests to take up the Ark and cross ahead of the people. Verse 6
G. The Lord speaks to Joshua concerning his exaltation. Verse 7
H. The Lord, the Ark of the Covenant, and the priests in the middle of the Jordan. Verse 8
I. Joshua instructs the people to draw near to listen to the word of God. Verse 9

THE LORD INSTRUCTS JOSHUA TO CIRCUMCISE THE SONS OF ISRAEL
Josh 5:2
At that time the LORD said to Joshua, "Make flint knives for yourself, and circumcise the sons of Israel again the second time." (NKJ)

THE SPIRITUAL COVENANT OF CIRCUMCISION
Jer 4:4
Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your hearts, you men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, lest My fury come forth like fire, and burn so that no one can quench it, because of the evil of your doings." (NKJ)

CIRCUMCISION OF THE HEART TO LOVE THE LORD
Deut 30:6
"And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live. (NKJ)

CHRIST HIMSELF WAS CIRCUMCISED
Luke 1:59
So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias. (NKJ)

CHRIST CONFIRMED THE COVENANT OF CIRCUMCISION
John 7:22
"Moses therefore gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. (NKJ)

THE PHARISEES TRY TO HOLD ON TO PHYSICAL CIRCUMCISION
Acts 15:5
But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, "It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the Law of Moses." (NKJ)


FRUIT COMES AFTER CIRCUMCISION
Acts 7:8
"Then He gave him the covenant of circumcision; and so Abraham begot Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot the twelve patriarchs. (NKJ)

PAUL CONFIRMED ABRAHAM'S SEAL OF THE COVENANT
Rom 4:11
And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also, (NKJ)

KEEPING THE COMMANDMENTS VS. PHYSICAL CIRCUMCISION
1 Cor 7:19
Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters. (NKJ)

LOVE AND FAITH VS. PHYSICAL CIRCUMCISION
Gal 5:6
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. (NKJ)

THE NEW CREATION IN CHRIST VS. PHYSICAL CIRCUMCISION
Gal 6:15
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation. (NKJ)

CIRCUMCISION BY THE HANDS OF MAN
Eph 2:11
Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh-- who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands-- (NKJ)

CIRCUMCISION BY JESUS CHRIST
Col 2:11
In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, (NKJ)

THE TRUE WORSHIP BY THE CIRCUMCISED HEART
Phil 3:3
For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, (NKJ)