I want to follow up a bit more on yesterday’s post concerning why the 2nd generation of Israelites had to be circumcised.
Understand these Hebrew males were about to engage in Holy War on behalf of the Creator of the universe.
And per the Torah, only those under Hashem’s covenants are permitted to fight a Holy War for God.
Absolutely no gentiles allowed.
In this Holy War, Israel was not allowed to have foreigners participate alongside them or hire outside mercenaries to help them win the battle.
This war was to be only God’s Chosen People against the people of Canaan, period.
Recall the 1st verse of this chapter.
“When all the kings of the Emori on the west side of the Yarden and all the kings of the Kena‘ani near the sea heard how Adonai had dried up the Yarden River ahead of the people of Isra’el until they had crossed it, their hearts failed them, and they fell into depression because of the people of Israel.”
The Lord in His mysterious ways had supernaturally entered into the hearts and minds of the enemy and literally put the fear of God into them.
We’re told the Canaanites were so afraid and so depressed, they literally did nothing.
When you think about it, don’t you find that response peculiar?
I mean the intelligent thing to do would have been to gather up their armies and immediately attack Israel while they were crossing over the Jordan.
But they didn’t.
Again, this was the Lord acting behind the scenes to protect Israel.
Because of the terror he put into the enemies’ hearts, not only did it allow Israel to cross the Jordan without incident, it also gave them time to heal after their mass Brit Milah (circumcision).
Do you see how the Lord has everything figured out for you?
Indeed, if God be for us, who can be against us!
Recall the story of Levi and Simeon back in Genesis.
Remember how they killed all the men of Shechem when they were in a state of recovery due to their mass circumcision ceremony.
This should give you a good idea of just how painful and serious a circumcision operation for an adult was in those days.
One final point before I close.
Israel had to undergo a second circumcision after crossing the Jordan.
The first circumcision which took place long ago was for the purpose of establishing Israel as a nation holy unto Hashem and binding them to the covenants.
However, Israel was about to receive their land inheritance.
In light of this momentous occasion, a second circumcision was an absolute requirement.
And you know what, we’ll also find this same principle carried forward with the advent of the New Covenant sealed with Yeshua’s sacrifice.
We’ll talk about that a bit more the next time we meet.
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