Camping in Gilgal

Joshua 4:19 And the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, in the east border of Jericho. KJV

Joshua 5:2 At that time the LORD said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time. 5 Now all the people that came out were circumcised: but all the people that were born in the wilderness by the way as they came forth out of Egypt, them they had not circumcised. 7 And their children, whom he raised up in their stead, them Joshua circumcised: for they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them by the way. 9 And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you. Wherefore the name of the place is called Gilgal (round or wheel) unto this day. 10 And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho. 11 And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the passover, unleavened cakes, and parched corn in the selfsame day. 12 And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year. KJV

Personal Background Note

For many years I preached making a comparison between the church today and the Children of Israel leaving Egypt, languishing in the wilderness, and finally entering the Promised Land. I noted that the entire older generation would have to die first due to their lack of faith and rebellion. They would eventually come to a final border being the Jordan River. They would have to cross it by faith even though it was flooding its banks that time of year. The priests or ministers would be required to go ahead of the congregation stepping into the water (getting their feet wet first) believing that God would save them from drowning and would open a door of deliverance for His people. The priests obeyed and the waters dried up allowing the people to enter the Promised Land.

I even reminded people that the heavenly welfare program of daily free food ceased after they crossed the river. From that point on, Israel would have to fight for every meal that they ate. In the wilderness the food was provided without any work or labor. No tilling of ground or sowing and reaping is recorded. No one was sick and even their shoes and clothes did not wear out. The cloud and pillar of fire directed their path leaving them with the fairly simple task of following their leaders and obeying the commandments passed down to them. This could almost be considered an idyllic life of ease. They enjoyed provision, protection and worship with little effort or responsibility in the area of personal discernment or opposition.

All of the above changed radically for the Israelites when their feet crossed over the Jordan River. A peaceful nomadic group of people, formerly slaves of the Egyptians were quickly transformed into a militant nation attacking and plundering all who lay in their path. How could such a complete transformation suddenly be realized? I don’t know the answer to that question, but it gives me hope today that God’s Church can rise up and become what He ordained for her to be in a brief period of time. We can be transformed from a spiritual “welfare mentality” to that of spiritual “military readiness” in a hurry!

Why Gilgal?

After decades of Bible study and ministry it occurred to me today that little was known by me about Gilgal. In the past, I just went directly from the Jordan to the conquest of Jericho! Wrong! God had an important appointment to keep with the Israelites before they could begin their ordained task of conquering the Promised Land. I will attempt to list some of the significant issues that were addressed between Jehovah and the Children of Israel in Gilgal.

1. Twelve stones were set up as a memorial commemorating the crossing of the Jordan River on dry land as their ancestors did with the Red Sea on their exit from Egyptian slavery.

2. All the men who were born in the wilderness were circumcised. This was a renewal of God’s covenant with Israel. For forty years no men were circumcised. God said that He had rolled away the reproach (cherpah – disgrace or shame) of Egypt. Now they were His chosen people prepared to conquer in His Name and move into their promised destiny.

3. Josh 5:10 tells us that Israel observed the Passover for the first time in the Promised Land. Now they could truly celebrate the freedom from shame and slavery under the Egyptian lords who controlled every aspect of their lives. They were free men and women. They now were responsible for their actions and decisions. They probably could now truly breathe as God’s Children in a new land. Their new life had finally begun. What an adventure was to follow!

4. National Diet Change! No more manna! What a change in eating habits. Forty years of just stepping outside the tent and picking up dinner. Verses 10-11 states that they ate the “old” corn of the land and unleavened cakes and “parched” corn and from that day on they had to eat the “fruit of the land”. This was a major culinary paradigm shift in their daily life. The fruit of the land was under the control of their enemies who had to be defeated. Satan has been stealing, killing and destroying with most believers cowering in fear trying to hide their wealth from him. This example seems to be indicating that we should be plundering from the enemy and his cohorts. God help us today to wake up!

5. Joshua meets God’s Captain! Verses 13-15 records the meeting between Joshua and the captain of the host of the Lord. He stands with sword drawn. Joshua approaches him asking him whose side is he on. Joshua is told to remove his shoes because he is standing on holy ground similar to Moses when he encountered God in the burning bush years earlier. This meeting is a clear indication that God is on hand with His Heavenly Host to help Israel as they move forward in obedience to the Word of God.

6. The Ark of the Covenant was brought to rest in Gilgal each day after Israel marched around the walled city of Jericho.

7. Joshua made Gilgal his headquarters camp during much of the early conquest of Canaan.

Significance of Gilgal Today

What does the story of Gilgal mean to a believer today? We too, are on a journey. Hopefully, we have been freed from sin and slavery by faith in the blood of Jesus Christ. Yet, many believers are still wandering in a spiritual wilderness with a number of similarities with the time of Joshua. Again, a list might be in order for the sake of simplicity and clarity.

1. Many believers are still enslaved by fear, sin, wrong attitudes, and addictions. They are longing for the “garlic and leeks” of Egypt (their old life of sin). Many are still murmuring and complaining about God’s accommodations during their journey upon the earth.

2. Many naming the Name of Christ often rebel against the instructions of the Word of God and leading of the Holy Spirit. Many have put other gods before the Living God!

3. We often see believers totally relying upon religious leaders to “feed” them spiritually. A good shepherd leads the sheep who then take the energy and initiative to eat and digest the food themselves. Most have no appetite for any true spiritual warfare in their Christian walk.

4. There was a need to be circumcised in Joshua’s time. That was a blood covenant between God and Israel. It was a type of cleansing. It removed the “shame” of Egyptian slavery and bondage. Many believers are not yet free from shame and guilt. They are not fully aware of who they are in Christ under grace.

5. The Passover meal and related ceremonies represented a celebration of freedom from slavery. In Gilgal Israel celebrated the Passover for the first time in the Promised Land as truly freed Children of God! Believers need to celebrate their freedom in Christ! Water baptism and the Lord’s Supper and good ways to show forth His Death and our freedom in Jesus!

6. Believers today need to go on a diet! Satan offers a constant barrage of “junk food” through many channels of entertainment and media. No, we don’t need to throw out all TV’s & music in our homes. We need to put entertainment in its proper place – far behind the Word of God, praise and worship and fellowship with other believers. The lines are more blurred than ever before in respect to foul language, moral values and sexual content. What is proper for a Christian to watch or listen to? The free food from Heaven stopped and God’s people had to go hunt for their food and in most cases take it away from their enemies. We need to turn the tables on the enemy of our souls and families!

7. Tet A Tet with God. This means a head to head conversation. Joshua had a personal meeting with the captain of the Lord’s host. He saw him as a soldier with his sword drawn ready for battle. His first question was if the man was on his side or his enemy. That question was never directly answered. Instead he was warned to change his attitude and take off his shoes because he was standing on “holy ground”. There is I believe, very often a very disrespectful and casual attitude toward God by many Christians. We can go day after day and church service after church service without any truly close contact with God! Programs and social events are fine. They cannot take the place of personal contact and an intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father! When we come in to close personal contact with God a lot of things have to come out of us and we find ourselves on our knees or upon our faces before the King of Kings. We all need more time in the Holy of Holies!

8. The place of Gilgal is a figurative location given to the place of rest to all of Israel, which can include both physical and spiritual Israel. Wikipedia As believers we need to keep our eyes up God and remember what we live in and see all around us is not our final destination or resting place. Jesus is coming back again to take us to be with him in Heaven. As we share God’s Love with those around us, don’t forget to tell them about Heaven. And even while we are still on the earth, we need rest in the midst of our battles. Spiritual warfare even life itself can really take a toll on these weak human bodies and minds. Matt 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. NIV Psa 23:2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Conclusion

I don’t know where you are right now, physically, spiritually or emotionally! The past few months have been really hard where I am now. Ministry has gone very well. We have a number of dedicated prayer intercessors praying for our ministry in Japan. We have seen a better and more consistent response to the sharing of God’s Love than we have over the past 30 years. So what is wrong? I grow tired of the financial battles and strain of living in one of the world’s most expensive nations. It is hard to observe and feel the overwhelming apathy of many believers in wealthy nations. No, it is not true of all believers. So many have zeal and burning desire to see those in distant nations hear the good news and accept God’s Love! They pray regularly and give sacrificially. The problem is they are few and they carry a heavy load of intercession and giving that could easily be spread among so many more.

This blog comes at a time of deep introspection and seeking God’s Face! I want to be in His perfect will! I want to hear His Voice clearly in this land of idols and spiritual darkness. Today I realized there is another place in my journey that needs to be visited – Gilgal. Some of us are still soaking our feet in the Jordan or perhaps searching for any remaining scraps of manna when we need to meet God face to face. Own up to our weakness and failures. Repent and let the Holy Spirit circumcise our hearts.

Let’s gather together as former slaves to sin and bondage who are now poised in Gilgal ready to take the land God has promised to us. Some of us have been on this journey for a long time. We may be tired, but we cannot quit. There is a younger generation that needs to be taught and encouraged. We are so close to the conclusion of the matter. There are times I weep and long to see my Savior’s Face as the song goes. We can do it! We need to be in unity of purpose and following God’s Plan for these last days. Jericho is waiting! Let’s go in Jesus’ Name! Amen!

God bless you richly!

Dan Corbett
“Reaching One Among Millions”