The Reproach of Egypt

“Then the Lord said to Joshua, ‘Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.’ So the name of that place is called Gilgal to this day.” Joshua 5:9​ ​

The children of Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years after leaving Egypt. Although the men of Israel from the previous generation were circumcised, during the time in the wilderness, the male children born in the wilderness were not circumcised. The Lord commanded Joshua to make flint knives for circumcision, since in Israel’s wandering and rebellion, those born in the wilderness were not circumcised when they were eight days old to signify an everlasting covenant with the Lord (Genesis 17:10-14). Because of their rebellion, the previous generation of the men of Israel died in the wilderness, and the new generation was raised up in their place, and because of their uncircumcised state, they were under the reproach of Egypt.

Reproach connotes shame, disgrace, scorn, and dishonor. To be under reproach is to be associated with what is contrary to our covenant and newness in Christ. We are continuously admonished in the Scriptures to live a life above reproach so that our pattern of behavior is not contradictory to our association with Christ, as followers, disciples, and ambassadors of Christ. The 40-year practice of Israel of not circumcising the males born in the wilderness indicated they were yielding to the ways and practices of the Egyptians. By not circumcising their male children at 8 days old, they conveyed they were rebelliously rejecting circumcision commanded by the Lord, which was the sign of being in an everlasting covenant with the Lord. When Joshua obeyed the Lord and circumcised all of the uncircumcised males, the Lord rolled away the reproach of Egypt from among them.

​Today, our covenant with the Lord is through the finished work of Christ, and we have circumcision of the heart because Christ took away our reproach. We can choose to exhibit sinful behaviors that are under reproach, but this would be contrary to our new life in Christ. As you go about your day, remember that God rolled away your reproach through Jesus Christ. Because of Him, you have a circumcised heart, which the Holy Spirit empowers you to live in love and obedience to the Father, which is demonstrated in a godly, obedient lifestyle and consistent fellowship with Him.