(5:1) The Amorites and Canaanites - The Amorites and Canaanites were the two major groups living in Canaan at the time of Israel's invasion. The Canaanites worshiped a variety of gods, but Baal was the most prominent god in their pantheon. Canaanite culture was materialistic, and the people's religious practices were sensual. After entering the land of Canaan, the Israelites continually fell into the worship of Baal. The Amorite gods also infected Israel's worship and turned people away from worshiping the true God. Worshiping these false gods eventually led to Israel's downfall

(5:2) Overcoming their Fears - The Israelites had spent 40 years in the wilderness unnecessarily because they were terrified of the Canaanites. They had underestimated God's power to bring them victory and had allowed their fear to derail their first attempt to enter the Promised Land (Numbers 13-14). Now the Israelites could see that the Canaanites were terrified of their army. The Canaanites had heard about Israel's great victories through God's power (Joshua 2:9-11). They had probably hoped that the Jordan River would slow the Israelites down or discourage them from entering Canaan, but news that the Israelites had crossed the Jordan on dry land caused any courage the Canaanites still had to melt away. Don't underestimate God. If we are faithful to him, he will cause even great opposition to disappear. Though our challenges may be too great for us to overcome alone, God can work behind the scenes to make anything possible that fits within his plan for us.

(5:3) A Sign of a Covenant - The rite of circumcision marked Israel's identity as God's covenant people. When God made the original covenant with Abraham, he required that each male be circumcised as a sign of cutting off the old life and beginning a new life with God (Genesis 17:13). Other cultures at this time used circumcision as a sign of entry into adulthood, but only the Israelites used it as a sign to show that they belonged to God.

(5:8-9) Israel's Base Camp - Located about two miles northeast of Jericho, Gilgal was Israel's base camp and temporary center of government and worship during the invasion of Canaan. Here the people renewed their commitment to God and his covenant before attempting to conquer the new land. At Gilgal the angelic commander of the Lord's army appeared to Joshua with further instructions for battle and encouragement for the conquest (5:13-15). After the conquest, Gilgal continued to be an important place in Israel. It was here that Israel's first king, Saul, was crowned (1 Samuel

11:14-15).

(5:10) The First Passover in the Promised Land - This joyous Passover was the first to be celebrated in the Promised Land and only the third celebrated by Israel since the exodus from Egypt. The last time had been at the foot of Mount Sinai, 39 years earlier. This celebration reminded the Israelites of God's mighty miracles that brought them out of Egypt. There they had to eat in fear and haste; now they ate in celebration of God's blessings and promises. (See Exodus 12 for a description of the night God "passed over" the Israelites' homes.)

(5:11-12) The Lord's Provision - God had supplied manna to the hungry Israelites during their 40 years in the wilderness (Exodus 16:14-31). In the bountiful Promised Land they no longer needed this daily food supply because the land was ready for planting and harvesting. God had miraculously provided food for the Israelites while they were in the wilderness; here he provided food from the land itself. But now it would not appear miraculously--they would have to work for it. God can and does provide miraculously for his people as needed, but he also expects them to use the talents and resources he has given them to provide for themselves. Prayer is not an alternative to preparation, and faith is not a substitute for hard work. If your prayers have gone unanswered, perhaps what you need is within your reach and you have a part to play. Try praying instead for the discernment to know whether this is the case--and if so, pray for the wisdom to see what your part is and the energy and motivation to carry it out.

(5:14-15) This was an angel of superior rank, the "captain of the LORD's host." Some say he was an appearance of God in human form. As a sign of respect, Joshua took off his shoes. Although Joshua was Israel's leader, he was still subordinate to God, the highest Leader. Awe and respect are the responses due to our holy God. How can we show respect for him? By our attitudes and actions. We should recognize God's power, authority, and deep love, and our actions must model our reverence for him. Respect for God is just as important today as it was in Joshua's day, even though removing shoes may not be our cultural way of showing it.