We have the opportunity now to step into a different dimension.
We are reviewing some characteristics of the Joshua generation, as we consider what they have to teach us about taking up our inheritance.
21.The Joshua Generation will free the next generation from the reproach and effects of past generations into new revelation of past activities.
Now when they had finished circumcising all the nation, they remained in their places in the camp until they were healed. Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you…”(Joshua 5:8-9)
Paul tells us:
…circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter… (Rom 2:29)
and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ (Col 2:11).
The reproach – shame, disgrace, blame, disapproval, disappointment – of our past lives has been removed. We are no longer held back by our old identity of slave, orphan, victim, sinner, useless, hopeless, failure. We are free to minister and disciple in our new identity as sons not slaves. As slaves, we could only disciple people into slavery; as sons, we can disciple people into sonship, ready to take possession of their inheritance.
Covenant relationship
Circumcision was a sign of their covenant relationship with God, in which their hearts were set apart for Him. Circumcision of our hearts is a sign that the old has gone and the new has come; a sign of our sonship and identity; a sign that we have a new home, land and inheritance. The old nature of self and selfishness is cut away, and in covenant we exchange our ‘old’ for all His ‘new’.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvellous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy (1 Peter 2:9-10).
That represents what God did for us in the New Covenant, when we entered in to what Jesus accomplished through the cross.
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect (Rom 12:1-2).
Step into a different dimension
Let’s make a choice to cross the Jordan into the place of covenant exchange. It is one thing to consecrate ourselves and say,‘Yes, I am going to cross’: quite another to actually cross over. We have that opportunity now to step into a different dimension. Jesus opened up heaven so that we could come through the veil and present ourselves to Him, our High Priest. We may find it helpful to do something physical, by taking a literal step forwards, while spiritually we enter into where the cross is active.
I would encourage you to speak these words out, and take a step forwards, as a demonstration of what you are doing in coming to the place of covenant exchange with God. See, in front of you now there is a river in flood. But God has sent angels to hold back that water. As you look, there is dry land appearing, a way for you to walk across.
I step in through the veil of Jesus through the way of the cross
I step into the realm of your government
I present myself to you, Jesus my High Priest, to circumcise my heart
I come to trade on the brazen altar of covenant exchange.
I exchange my sin for your righteousness
I exchange my rejection for your acceptance
I exchange my guilt for your forgiveness
I exchange my sickness for your health
I exchange my old life for your new life.
I exchange my old identity for your new identity
I exchange my old name for your new name
I exchange my old nature for your new nature
I exchange my old bondage for your new freedom
I exchange my old records for your new record
I exchange my past for your future.
I exchange my darkness for your light
I exchange my weakness for your strength
I exchange my thoughts for your thoughts
I exchange my character for your character
I exchange my ways for your ways.
I step back into this realm forgiven, cleansed, and clothed with righteousness
I am empowered for transformation to manifest your glory, bringing heaven to earth through my life
My heart is circumcised, my life is consecrated and set apart for your kingdom purposes
I receive your healing and wholeness
I receive your adoption, acceptance and affirmation as a son.
I am a son, ready to take possession of my inheritance.
We are God’s children. We are His people. We have stepped across that water today. Old things will go; new things are coming. We are taking possession of what belongs to us: new dimensions of authority and power.
Twelve stones
Let’s mark this down as an important day. Israel took twelve stones from the river bed and set them up on the bank of the Jordan so that they would remember how they crossed over from the old into the new. Whenever the enemy comes to us to say ‘You’re a slave’, we can remind him of this day when we crossed over; that we are no longer slaves, but sons.
So now let’s act, think, and behave like mature sons, operating in the fullness of our inheritance.