◆”At the Beginning of the YearJoshua” (5:10–16) January 5, 2025

Today’s passage, chosen for the first Sunday service of 2025, marks a turning point—a moment when something new begins. The people of Israel were brought out of slavery in Egypt by the miraculous hand of God. Yet, due to their unbelief, they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. At last, they crossed the Jordan River and stepped into the land God had promised to lead them to.

But simply entering the land wasn’t enough. They had to settle there. To do so, they needed to renew their faith and face battles. It truly was a significant transition.

It may seem exaggerated to compare Israel’s entrance into Canaan with the beginning of a new year. But the start of a new year is also a kind of turning point. Let us then learn what the Israelites did at their pivotal moment and consider how we might prepare ourselves for this new year.

1. Looking Back at History
   First, the Israelites looked back on their history. In verse 9, God said, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.”

Looking back, so much had happened. The Israelites had suffered as slaves for 400 years and cried out to God. God heard their cries, raised up Moses, and miraculously delivered them. When trapped at the Red Sea, God parted the waters, saving them and destroying the Egyptian army.

Yet, despite these miracles, the people frequently complained when there was no water or food. Even so, God provided—water from oases, water from the rock, quail and manna from heaven. On Mount Sinai, He gave them the Law, revealing how they were to live as His people.

Still, they rebelled—worshipping a golden calf, among other things—and reaped the consequences. Yet even then, God never abandoned them. He continued to lead them toward the Promised Land.

Before crossing the Jordan, they faced obstacles and even threats of curses from surrounding nations. But under God’s protection, they reached the other side. Then, the new generation born during the wilderness journey received the sign of God’s covenant—circumcision.

2. Stepping into a New Stage
   When they crossed the Jordan, God miraculously held back the river’s floodwaters. As the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant stepped into the water, it piled up like a wall, and the people crossed on dry ground toward Jericho. It was a clear display of God’s power.

After entering the land, their first act was to celebrate the Passover. The Passover commemorates the night God struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, sparing only those homes marked with the blood of a lamb. This event represented their deliverance and reaffirmed their identity as God’s people.

Through this celebration, they renewed their understanding of who they were—God’s chosen people.

3. Reaffirming Our Own Foundation
   This story teaches us how we, as Christians, ought to approach the new year. First, we must look back on our journey.

How faithful were we to God last year? Did we prioritize our own affairs over worship? Were we inconsistent in attending services or having daily devotions, depending on our mood? Did we harbor complaints against God? Were our prayers focused only on our desires? Did we criticize the church or fellow believers behind their backs?

God knows all about us. So we must not leave these matters unaddressed. We need to repent before God, receive His forgiveness, and be cleansed. To do that, we must reaffirm our foundation.

Our foundation is not the exodus from Egypt, but the cross of Jesus Christ. God sent His Son, Jesus, who bore all our sins and brought reconciliation with God. By faith in Jesus, we are made children of God, joined to the church, and included among His people.

As we gather on this first Sunday of 2025, let us reflect on our journey so far, repent where needed, and look to the cross—our true beginning. Just as the Israelites began to eat the produce of Canaan instead of manna, we too, while cherishing the past, must not remain bound to it. With renewed commitment, let us step forward into the future God has for us.

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Sermon script modified based on proofreading and translation with ChatGPT.