The Lord Said: One Final Thing...

 

Joshua 5:2 At that time the Lord said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the sons of Israel a second time.” 3 So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the sons of Israel at Gibeath-haaraloth. 4 And this is the reason why Joshua circumcised them: all the males of the people who came out of Egypt, all the men of war, had died in the wilderness on the way after they had come out of Egypt.

This commandment was no afterthought.  God had done everything to prepare the people for this moment. They had all the instructions on how to worship, conduct themselves, and handle their relationships with one another and outsiders.  They are ready to enter the land, including going to battle when necessary. This act of vulnerable commitment and obedience would be the ultimate reminder of who they were and Who would give the victory.  Joined with the recovery period after this procedure was the celebration of the Passover, after which the manna ceased to fall.  This signified they were finally prepared to enter the land.