Joshua 5:1-12 Meeting the One Condition for Spiritual Success

Joshua 5:1-12 records a massive circumcision ceremony that Joshua conducted prior to beginning their military invasion into the Land.  This shows that our relationship with God is the basis for spiritual victories.  Only as everyone was in right relationship with God, evidenced by succumbing to circumcision, could God’s people begin to experience LifePlus in Canaan.  This circumcision ultimately points to the circumcision of the heart which God said was necessary for entrance into His kingdom.  Spiritual victories are guaranteed for those who by faith in Christ meet the conditions of God’s covenant.  On the cross, Jesus’ sacrifice “rolled away” our reproach (cf. v. 9).  Notice the emotional state or condition of God’s enemies in v. 1 (“...their hearts melted and there was no longer any spirit in them...”).  However, if God’s people had not obeyed the one condition of the covenant, the enemies would have got their spirit back!  Praise God that His grace forms an obedient people!