Joshua 5:9, commentary and pictures

The word was spoken to Joshua at Gilgal, Israel's first encampment in Canaan a short distance from the Jordan in the plains of Jericho, after Israel had crossed the swollen Jordan on dry land and after those born in the wilderness were circumcised and the Passover was kept. The place was named Gilgal because of this action, the name meaning removal. The reproach of Egypt was the mocking of the Lord and Israel by heathen nations because Israel did not possess Canaan soon after leaving Egypt but wandered long in the wilderness, with enemies triumphing over the delay and boasting that God was not able to bring them into Canaan.

That ground for mocking was taken away when God displayed His power and favor by leading Israel over the Jordan on dry land, following the slaying of two kings and filling the Amorite and Canaanite kings with melting fear, so enemies could no longer reproach them. The declaration means the years of rejection since the rebellion at Kadesh were ended and God again owned Israel as His people with the covenant sign restored. Gilgal links the verse to many decisive memories: the pillar of twelve stones set up to commemorate the miraculous passage of the Jordan, the renewal of circumcision, the end of the manna, the first Passover in the land after the sin at Kadesh and the desert sojourn, and the appearance of the Captain of the Lord's host as chief in command. From there Israel marched to the overthrow of Jericho and the conquest of Ai, there Achan met the penalty for his sin, and there the treaty with the Gibeonites was made that punished neglect to ask counsel of God.

The verse belongs to the history just before Israel took possession of Jericho, immediately before the command concerning Jericho's spoils, establishing the setting for a victory credited to God's power. That experience carried out principles God had taught during forty years of wandering and formed part of the lessons of their failures and victories. The verse shows God Himself rolls away reproach by giving victory, silencing every lying tongue, overthrowing deceptive schemes by angels, and preventing the bulwarks of Satan from triumphing. Victory will attend the third angel's message, and as the Captain of the Lord's host tore down the walls of Jericho, so commandment-keeping people will triumph and all opposing elements will be defeated.

To share in that triumph, hearts must be sanctified to hear what the Lord says, armed and equipped to come to the battle to the help of the Lord against the mighty, receiving increased light and flashing the light of truth, and heeding heaven-sent servants without complaint or faultfinding even when their message is strong and makes ears tingle. The rolling away of reproach applies to the church, whose reproach God would remove, which cannot happen while people who rely on their own judgment and refuse God's counsel remain in office year after year. The same removing of reproach describes the change in how outsiders regarded Sabbathkeepers when they saw that God was with them and that they had reasons for their faith.