Day 3 – Joshua 5:2-9

² At that time the Lord said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites again.” ³ So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the Israelites at Gibeath Haaraloth. ⁴ Now this is why he did so: All those who came out of Egypt—all the men of military age—died in the desert on the way after leaving Egypt. ⁵ All the people that came out had been circumcised, but all the people born in the desert during the journey from Egypt had not. ⁶ The Israelites had moved about in the desert forty years until all the men who were of military age when they left Egypt had died, since they had not obeyed the Lord. For the Lord had sworn to them that they would not see the land that he had solemnly promised their fathers to give us, a land flowing with milk and honey. ⁷ So he raised up their sons in their place, and these were the ones Joshua circumcised. They were still uncircumcised because they had not been circumcised on the way. ⁸ And after the whole nation had been circumcised, they remained where they were in camp until they were healed. ⁹ Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” So the place has been called Gilgal to this day. ^[1]

Circumcism is not generally a subject spoken about in polite company. It is hard to get around, however, when it comes to discussions about the Bible. In the whole process of consecration it becomes crucial. Consecration is the process of either being set aside (one is consecrated) or setting something aside to the special service and/or calling of God, such as when the minister prays over the elements at the communion table. Therefore, if something or someone is to be consecrated to God it becomes necessary to separate that person or thing from whatever is ordinary, or do I dare say, profane.

That is in essence what happened at Gilgal. God called for the Israelites to be circumcised again because during the forty years spent wandering in the desert the practice was suspended. All the men who had been circumcised in Egypt (excluding Joshua and Caleb) had died in the desert because of their disobedience. An entire generation had grown up without having been presented on the eighth day after birth for the ritualistic practice. The practice was a public acknowledgement that this male was now engrafted into the promise made to Abraham. The practice also serves a practical function in staving off disease that can hide beneath the foreskin that is removed. Herein we find the special significance to the process of consecration. There are some things that need to be surgically removed. Consecration calls for ridding oneself of habits, routines, and practices that pose obstacles to faithfully serving our risen Lord. This will not be the same for everyone because we are very different people, but the necessity is common to all. What do you need to cut off during this time of consecration? Decide quickly and circumcise yourself.

Dear Lord, there are things I need Your help in cutting off and out of my life. My desire to faithfully serve You and to be greatly used by You is more important that the habits I stubbornly hold onto. My desire is to please You, so I offer myself to You that I may be circumcised again, in Jesus’ name. Amen.