1 Now when all the Amorite kings west of the Jordan and all the Canaanite kings along the coast heard how the LORD had dried up the Jordan before the Israelites until we had crossed over, their hearts melted and they no longer had the courage to face the Israelites.
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. [a]
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.
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According to Biblical history, the requirement of circumcision is based on the covenant with Abraham and is a positive commandment obligatory under Jewish law for Jewish males. In this passage, we learn how God has given the Israelites various trials and tests, to have their obedience. On many occasions, the Israelites failed to be faithful and obedient to the commandments of God. For example, there were many people who died in the desert since they had not obeyed the Lord, according to vs.6. In verse 8, it even says that the whole nation had been circumcised. These verses show us again that God wants our full obedience and commitment toward, not only partially. As much as he asked the whole nation to be circumcised, similarly, He also wants each one of us to give Him all we have since our bodies are His living temples.
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