Wednesday, June 26, 2013
TEXT: JOSHUA 5:1-9
Key Verse : “At that time the LORD said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time” (Joshua 5:2).
“It is a great deal better to live a holy life than to talk about it. We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won’t need to tell anybody it does. The light will be its own witness. Light houses don’t ring bells and fire cannon to call attention to their illumination – they just shine.” – D. L. Moody
Twenty-four years after Abraham was called out of idolatry and darkness, God gave him the second call into perfection (holiness/sanctification). The sign of that call or covenant was the circumcision of the flesh of Abraham and all the males in his house. This became a covenant between God and all the descendants of Abraham.
Forty years after Israel left Egypt, it was expedient that Joshua as the new leader circumcise all the males who were born in the wilderness. The corporate circumcision at this time was for Israel’s new generation.
A time came that Israel lost the real meaning and essence of the circumcision covenant, just like other covenants which pre-figured the New Testament. From the time of Prophet Ezekiel, God broadened the concept to include circumcision of the heart. The circumcision of the flesh was meant to be a reflection of the internal circumcision of the heart.
In the New Testament, our first call out of idolatry and darkness is the salvation experience, while the second is into the circumcision of heart - holiness/sanctification experience. At salvation, our candle is lit; at sanctification, our light shines bright. When our life, character, and motives are pure, we don’t need any advertisement.
Thought for the Day : A well lit light needs no announcement.
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