Fear And Loathing In Las Promised Land
- All the kings of the Amorites and Canaanites hear about the miracle of the Jordan River and their hearts melt in fear. Okay, not really. We're being metaphoric.
- While all the kings are freaking out, God orders Joshua to "circumcise the Israelites a second time."
- God orders this second circumcision for what could be three reasons: (1) to lessen the failure of the older generation, or (2) to witness the obligation set forth in Genesis 17:9-14, or (3) to reiterate Joshua as the new Moses.
- Once all the circumcising is done, the Israelites rest at a place called Gilgal.
- While they're camped, the Israelites observe Passover. The day after, they eat "produce of the land, unleavened cakes and parched grain."
- Their manna days are finally over. Bring on the produce.
- This change from manna to produce signifies Israel's relocation from the wilderness to the land promised to them. While this is a pretty significant shift, we're guessing the Israelites were also pretty excited to change their diet after 40 years of manna.
- Once Joshua is by Jericho, he looks up and sees (gasp!) a man with a drawn sword.
- Joshua, being a gentleman, kindly asks the guy whether he is a friend or foe.
- Apparently, the man is the commander of the army of the Lord. He commands Joshua to "remove the sandals from your feet for the place where you stand is holy."
- This is a nice little parallel to that time God appeared to Moses as a burning piece of shrubbery in the desert.