Sunday, November 15 When they finished circumcising the entire nation, they remained where they were in the camp until they recovered.​—Josh. 5:8.

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Sunday, November 15

When they finished circumcising the entire nation, they remained where they were in the camp until they recovered.—Josh. 5:8.

 

Soon after Israel crossed the Jordan, Joshua met a man carrying a drawn sword. He was none other than the “chief of Jehovah’s army,” who was ready to defend God’s people. (Josh. 5:13-15; ftn.) Joshua received clear instructions from the angelic Leader on how to take the city of Jericho. At first, some of the instructions may not have appeared to be a good strategy. For instance, Jehovah commanded that all the men be circumcised, which would leave them indisposed for several days. (Gen. 34:24, 25; Josh. 5:2) Likely, those defenseless Israelite soldiers wondered how they would protect their family if enemy warriors raided their camp. But suddenly, the news broke that Jericho was “tightly shut up because of the Israelites.” (Josh. 6:1) Would their trust in God’s direction not have been strengthened by such an unexpected turn of events? w18.10 23 ¶5-7