Joshua 5:10 - Meaning and Application

We can easily imagine that the people of Canaan were amazed. When they watched what Israel was doing, they must have thought it very strange. Soldiers often think military duty excuses them from religious duties because they feel too busy or distracted. Yet Joshua began the campaign with one act of worship after another. What was later said to another Joshua could truly be said here: “Listen now, Joshua, you and your companions who sit before you are men who are a sign” (Zechariah 3:8). He chose the right path, because what begins with God is likely to end well.

First, they kept a solemn Passover at the time the law had appointed, on the fourteenth day of the first month, in the same place where they had been circumcised, verse 10. While they were wandering in the wilderness, they were kept from this ordinance, as another sign of God’s displeasure. But now God again gave them comfort after their suffering, answering Moses’ prayer when that sentence was passed, “Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us” (Psalm 90:15). So that joyful feast was restored.

Now that they had entered Canaan, it was very fitting to remember the mighty acts of God’s power and goodness that had brought them out of Egypt. When blessings come to completion, they should remind us where those blessings began. When full daylight comes, we should not forget how welcome the morning light was after a long wait. The Passover followed right after circumcision, just as those who received the word were baptized and then immediately broke bread (Acts 2:41-42).

They kept this Passover in the plains of Jericho, almost as a challenge to the Canaanites around them. Their enemies were angry, but could not disturb them. In this way God gave them an early proof of his promise that when they went up to the feasts, no one would desire their land (Exodus 34:24). He spread a table before them in the presence of their enemies (Psalm 23:5).

Second, provision was made for their camp from the grain of the land, and then the manna stopped, verses 11-12. Manna was a wonderful gift when they needed it. But it belonged to their wilderness life. It was food for children, and though it was “bread from heaven,” they would now rather eat the grain of the land.

The local people had fled into Jericho for safety, leaving behind their barns and fields with all they contained, which now supplied this great army. The timing was very good. After the Passover they were to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which they could not properly do while living only on manna. Perhaps that is one reason it was not kept in the wilderness. But now there was old grain stored in the Canaanites’ barns, enough to feed them richly. In this way, the wealth of sinners is laid up for the righteous, and those who stored it up little thought who would enjoy it (see Proverbs 13:22).

The next day after the Passover Sabbath, they were to wave the sheaf of firstfruits before the Lord (Leviticus 23:10-11). They had been ordered to do this when they came into the land God would give them, and now they had the fruit of that land for the offering (Joshua 5:12). The grain was growing and starting to ripen. So they were well supplied with both old and new grain, like wise householders (Matthew 13:52). As soon as the fruit of the good land came into their hands, they had the chance to honor God with it and use it in his service as he had commanded. Everything was made comfortable and orderly for them.

Calvin thought they had kept the Passover every year in the wilderness, though it is not mentioned, and that God allowed the uncircumcised to offer other sacrifices. But some think from Amos 5:25 that after the sentence was spoken against that generation, no sacrifices were offered until they came into Canaan, and so no Passover was kept. It is also worth noting that after that sentence in Numbers 14, the law in Numbers 15 about sacrifices begins with these words: “When you come into the land where you are to live.”

Notice especially that the manna stopped as soon as they had eaten the old grain of the land. This shows that it did not come by chance or ordinary providence, like snow or hail, but by the special wisdom and goodness of God. It came exactly when they needed it, and it lasted only as long as it was needed. It also teaches us not to expect extraordinary help when ordinary help is available.

If God had dealt with Israel according to what they deserved, the manna would have stopped when they called it “light bread.” But as long as they needed it, God kept giving it, even though they despised it. And when they no longer needed it, he took it away, even if some of them still wanted it. He is a wise Father. He knows what his children truly need and gives according to that, not according to their moods.

The word of God and the ordinances of God are like spiritual manna. God uses them to feed his people in this wilderness. Though we often fail to value them as we should, he continues them while we are here. But when we reach the heavenly Canaan, this manna will cease, because we will no longer need it.