Joshua 5:1-7

The generation of Israel that came out of Egypt had all been circumcised.  But they had circumcised none of their children.

This parallels Moses’ journey TO Egypt (Exodus 4), where God almost killed him, and/or his son, because Moses had not circumcised him.

The point isn’t that you are out of God’s favor because you don’t circumcise (or baptize) yourself or your children.

 

The point is that God puts the two things (action and sacrament) together, both as an outward sign of inward faith.  Israel coming out of Egypt believed God, having seen the signs.  But their faith quickly wavered and their children didn’t believe and refused to enter the promised land.  Moses going to Egypt did not believe God sufficiently, it would seem.  But God gave him the faith on the way to do what God called him to do.

 

Notice that taking God’s signs on yourself or your children leaves you physically vulnerable for a time.  When Israel was circumcised after crossing the Jordan in Joshua 5, they were vulnerable to military attack.  Even a hardened soldier, trained to keep an eye on the exits, is susceptible to attack when taking a shower/bath (circumcision/baptism) or when sitting down to a meal and focused on his food (Passover/Communion).

 

But God prepares a table for us in the presence of our enemies (Psalm 23:5; Joshua 5:10-12).

 

The whole point of faith, of receiving the covenant signs, the sacraments, is that you trust God to protect you, instead of relying on yourself to do it.