Brethren, as we consider the journey of Israel into the Promised Land, we see a significant moment in Joshua 5 where they entered the land but did not make the wave sheaf offering. This was due to strict instructions from God, as outlined in Deuteronomy 12, that offerings were to be made only at a central place of worship, designated by Him, once the land had rest. At the time of Joshua 5, the tabernacle was not yet erected, and the land was not fully subdued, with seven tribes still without their possession as noted in Joshua 18 and 21:43-45. This rest from enemies came approximately seven years after their entry, and only then was the place for offerings established at Shiloh in Ephraim. Furthermore, the wave sheaf offering required grain from seeds the Israelites had sown themselves, a condition they could not meet in Joshua 5, having just arrived and eating the produce of the Canaanites. God's standards, as seen in various scriptures, reject offerings from foreign hands or those not meeting His criteria. Joshua, a man who served God faithfully with all his heart, would not have disregarded these explicit commands not to turn from God's law. Additionally, Passover was kept in Joshua 5 as it did not require an altar, being a home-based observance to reinforce personal responsibility in the covenant with God. In contrast, other ceremonial offerings were national, to be performed at God's designated place. Thus, no wave sheaf or other offerings were made at that time, underscoring the importance of adhering strictly to God's instructions regarding where and when offerings are to be presented to Him.

When the Israelites were to enter the Promised Land, God commanded through Leviticus 23:10, 14 that certain observances should begin upon their arrival. However, Deuteronomy 12 clarifies that they were not to follow these instructions immediately upon entering. Instead, they were to wait until specific conditions were met. God instructed that they must establish a central place for worship at a site of His choosing, and they were to be dwelling in the land, at rest, and in safety from their enemies. Additionally, the Tabernacle, altar, laver, and all interior furniture had to be erected and in place. Moses emphasized while still in the wilderness that they should not make offerings in any convenient place as they were doing at that time. Israel had to be settled, living in the land, not marching around fighting wars, and in a state of safety. This condition prevented a wavesheaf offering and its accompanying burnt and meal offerings from occurring in Joshua 5. The place God ultimately chose was Shiloh, where the Tabernacle was set up as recorded in Joshua 18:1, marking the first sign that they were nearly ready to offer sacrifices legitimately to God. However, some land still needed apportioning for seven tribes, along with cities for the Levites and cities of refuge, as detailed in Joshua 18-21. Thus, many tribes were not yet dwelling and at rest at the start of Joshua 18. The official announcement that all was in place is found in Joshua 21:43-45, confirming that the conditions for rest and safety in the Promised Land were finally met.

Israel's entry into the Promised Land did not immediately bring the rest God required before normal worship could be established. Deuteronomy 12 shows that once the Israelites crossed the Jordan, their worship would change radically. They could no longer erect altars wherever they pleased, but had to sacrifice at the one place God chose for His dwelling, and only when He gave them rest from all their enemies so that they dwelt in safety (Deuteronomy 12:9-11). That rest was not reached until seven years after the crossing, when the land was subdued and the whole congregation set up the Tabernacle at Shiloh (Joshua 18:1). Until then, the normal ceremonial worship, including daily offerings, festival rituals, and the waving of the sheaf, was not conducted, because it had to take place at the central sanctuary. That seven-year interval of conquest was small compared with the forty years the people had already waited, and God wanted the work done by a circumcised people. The only altars in the interval were commanded exceptions, such as the one for the covenant renewal at Ebal and Gerizim, and the Transjordan tribes' memorial altar was a witness of unity, not a place of sacrifice. Because Israel had not yet come to rest, Joshua 5 cannot show a wavesheaf ceremony.

Entering the land did not mean immediate rest. In Deuteronomy 12 God told Israel that centralized worship at the place He would choose, with all the offerings, would begin only when He gave them rest from all their enemies round about so that they dwelt in safety. Being merely in the land was not enough; they had to possess it. Crossing the Jordan did not accomplish that, because others still held the land and Israel had to take it from them. Numbers 32 confirms this, since Gad and Reuben were to fight alongside their brethren until every tribe received its inheritance. Thirteen chapters after Joshua 5, the Tabernacle was set up at Shiloh, yet seven tribes still had not received their inheritance. Joshua 21:43-45 records that the Lord gave Israel all the land and rest round about, and not one enemy stood before them. This came seven years after Joshua 5. Only then were the Tabernacle, altar, and priesthood in order and the national offerings, including the Wavesheaf, able to be made. At Gilgal in Joshua 5 Israel ate the produce of the land, but no offerings were made, because the grain was not from their own labor, land, or seed and had come from the stranger's hand. Special occasions such as Mount Ebal do not alter the original commands.