After Joshua dedicates the stone memorial, the Lord tells him that it is time for His people to renew their covenant with Him. This renewal takes place over the course of three deeply significant events: one, the circumcision of all males (Joshua 5:2-8); second, the celebration of Passover (v. 10); and third, the cessation of daily manna (v. 12).

The reasons aren't clear, but the Israelites had not circumcised any of their eight-day-old baby boys (see Genesis 17:9-14; Leviticus 12:3) since the nation's exodus from Egypt. Before the new generation attempts to conquer and take possession of the promised land–″a land flowing with milk and honey″ (Joshua 5:6)–it is time to dedicate themselves to the Lord and His covenant.

In Genesis 17, the Lord makes a series of amazing promises to Abraham, and then commands him to be circumcised. This command applied to every male in his household then, and for all generations to come (vv. 10-13). Circumcision is a public sign that the Israelites are part of the Lord's covenant with Abraham. It also symbolises the cutting away of shame and guilt from the past (Joshua 5:9).

The Israelites had celebrated the Passover the day before they ″marched out defiantly in full view of the Egyptians″, led by Moses (Numbers 33:3). Exactly one year later, while still in the wilderness under Moses' leadership, they celebrated it again (9:1-14). Now, following the death of Moses and under Joshua's command, the Israelites celebrate the Passover right before beginning the conquest of the promised land (Joshua 5:10). May we, likewise, celebrate our salvation from sin and bondage, and remember that we are empowered to fulfil the Lord's purposes.

Joshua 5:11-12 tells us what happens next: ″The day after the Passover, that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land: unleavened bread and roasted grain. The manna stopped the day after they ate this food from the land; there was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate the produce of Canaan.″ For 40 long years, the miracle of manna had continued every day (Exodus 16:4-5). Now, it ceases as suddenly as it had begun, demonstrating that its provision was not a matter of chance, but of special, divine providence.

From now on, the Lord God will provide for them in another way. God had promised to bring Israel into a land of abundance, ″a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig-trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey″ (Deuteronomy 8:8). Now, at last, they are tasting the fruit of the land and know that it is a foretaste of blessings to come!