5 - Chapter 5 begins preparations for the conquest of Canaan. First the people of God need to complete the covenant of circumcision. Verse 2 is puzzling. What is the “second time?” It may be that the older gen- eration’s circumcision in Egypt is reckoned as the first circumcision, and since those under forty were not cir- cumcised in the desert this is deemed the second. That brings up the question of why they weren’t circum- cising in the desert (verse 5)? v. 5 - why hadn’t they participated in these ceremonies during the wilderness wanderings? We are not certain. It may have been suspended during the time of disobedience and unbelief that marked the wilderness wandering. It may have been spiritual neglect. Verse 9 references that God

had removed the stigma of being slaves. No longer could they be taunted as slave people, nor could God be charged with failing to deliver the people (Num. 14:13-16; Deut. 9:28). Compare 6:1 and verse 13 and it is apparent this is the Lord talking with Joshua.

Psalm 14

We step away from lament psalms to read this wisdom psalm that discusses practical atheism. It is repeated nearly entirely in Psalm 53 (which we will read in Week 31 - see that psalm for discussion about why it is in- cluded twice in the Psalter). This psalm seems to deal with wicked Israelites. While there is an obvious ap- plication to the public and militant atheists in our society today, the fool of Psalm 14 isn’t writing books, go- ing on talk shows or holding press conferences. He says to himself, in his heart that there is no God (verse 1). That makes him a fool. Biblically, fools aren’t clowns or court jesters. The term is closely associated with wickedness and being evil. The fool is the person who just doesn’t care about God, what God thinks, what God is doing, or what God wants him to be doing. He ignores the reality of God so he can live for himself as he pleases. That is practical atheism. Those people’s lives and actions become “corrupt” (verse 3), a term that can be translated “sour.” The folly of their lives is evident, for they oppose God (verse 6). The psalm ends with a very lament-sounding appeal to God for rescuing from these atheists who afflict God’s people (verse 7).

15 - The three Lost and Found parables are among Jesus’ most famous. However, the key to them all is probably verse 2 and the concluding story of the Elder Brother (verses 25-32). God’s grace and forgiveness are freely given out to those who are most undeserving. Will we rejoice at this or piously pout?