In Joshua chapters 3-4, the children of Israel cross the Jordan into
the Promised Land due to the wondrous power of God. In chapter 5, the
children of Israel celebrate by the sacramental signs: circumcision and
Passover. During the Passover celebration, the author emphasizes that
the children of Israel “ate of the produce of the land” (Josh 5:11, two
other references in v.12). This emphasis highlights an important point:
the God who promised the gift of the land with all of its attendant
grain, was now fulfilling that promise and His covenant people were
reaping the benefits of His faithfulness.
In Josh 5:12, we read “Then the manna ceased on the day after they
had eaten the produce of the land; and the children of Israel no longer
had manna, but they ate the food of the land of Canaan that year.” This
highlights an important principle: the cessation of the miraculous
(God’s provision of manna) does not imply the cessation of God’s active
power in sustaining His covenant people. Whether through the
extraordinary manna or the ordinary produce of the land, God is
faithful. It is a curious fact that we are inclined to see God’s power
displayed when He spares a young man’s life in an automobile accident,
but less likely to see God’s power in keeping most of us from automobile
accidents each and every day. Continue at Jim Butler
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