Joshua 5:10

And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho.

Joshua 5:10 (KJV)

Context

Israel camped at Gilgal, their first stop after crossing the Jordan into the Promised Land. They had just renewed their covenant with God through circumcision, as recorded in Joshua 5:2-9. Now, on the fourteenth day of the first month, they kept the Passover in the plains of Jericho, just before the city’s conquest. Gilgal was about a mile from Jericho and served as the base for the coming battles.

Meaning

The Passover was a feast commanded by God to remember Israel’s deliverance from slavery in Egypt. By observing it at the exact time and manner prescribed in the Law (Exodus 12:6, Leviticus 23:5), the people showed their obedience to God’s instructions. The phrase “at even” marks the beginning of the fourteenth day according to Jewish reckoning, aligning with the command to celebrate at twilight. This careful adherence was not mere ritual; it was an act of trust in God’s timing and provision. The people did not rush into conquest; they first worshipped, establishing a place of worship and obedience in the land.

Biblical connections

This was the first Passover kept in the Promised Land, fulfilling God’s promise to bring His people out of Egypt into a land flowing with milk and honey. The previous generation had failed to enter because of unbelief, but this new generation, now consecrated, celebrated the feast as a sign of their covenant relationship. The Passover also points forward to Jesus, who is called our Passover Lamb, sacrificed to deliver us from sin. Just as Israel’s deliverance from Egypt was commemorated, so Christ’s sacrifice is remembered in the Lord’s Supper. This observance showed the continuity of God’s redemptive plan from Egypt to Canaan.

Application

Israel’s obedience in keeping the Passover before battle teaches that spiritual priorities come before physical victories. They did not rush into conquest; they first worshipped. This challenges us to seek God and obey His Word before pursuing our own plans. The feast reminded them of God’s past faithfulness, giving them confidence for the future. We too should regularly remember God’s deliverance in our lives, whether through communion, prayer, or testimony. Such remembrance strengthens our faith and keeps us dependent on Him. The principle is clear: God’s blessings and victories come through obedience to His Word.

Reflection

Gilgal became a place of new beginnings, where the shame of Egypt was rolled away and the covenant was renewed. Here, the people affirmed their identity as God’s chosen nation. As we step into new seasons, we are called to consecrate ourselves afresh to God, leaving behind old ways and embracing His purposes. The plains of Jericho, a place of future conquest, became a place of worship first. This order reminds us that our victories come not by our own strength but through obedience and dependence on God. May we, like Israel, prioritize worship and covenant faithfulness in every endeavor.