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SURVEY OF BIBLE HISTORY
Gilgal - Part 2
Joshua Lesson 5

Written by Dr. Lester Hutson

Copyright - Lester Hutson - 1998
This material is copyrighted and may not be copied or reproduced without the express written permission of Dr. Lester Hutson.

b. Second, Gilgal is the place of resurrection. Josh. 4:19 says, "and the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth day of the first month." The tenth day of the first month was exactly 40 years to the day since they had taken the passover lamb aside in preparation for their departure from Egypt, Ex. 12:3. For 40 years they wandered in a wilderness of carnality, unbelief, and disobedience. Now they have crossed Jordan, and are at Gilgal. "Gilgal" means "the reproach has been rolled away." See Josh. 5:19. The people who so long were in bondage and who walked so long in the wilderness, are now to walk in a newness of life.

You see, these people went down in the river, and came up out of the river. The typical teaching is that as we by faith went to the cross in death with Christ, likewise, we rose with him in the resurrection to newness of life. Paul thus said in II Cor. 5:17, "If any man be in Christ Jesus, he is a new creature." Listen to Paul say it in Eph. 2: 5-6. "Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us toqether with Christ, (by qrace ye are saved). And hath raised us up together. and made Us sit toqether in heavenly places in Christ Jesus."

We, who are heavenly citizens, and who have the supply of God for our every need in victory, ought to live like the resurrected people we are. Baptism is a symbol or picture of our death, burial and resurrection with Christ. So, literally, the crossing of the Jordan becomes a foreshadow of baptism; and the coming up out of the Jordan on to the victory side at Gilgal is especially a good symbol of the resurrection. Just as the Israelites on the west side of Jordan are a picture of a new beginning; likewise, a believer coming up out of the water in baptism, pictures the resurrection; and is a picture of a new beginning, even newness of life. The reproach of an old life of sin and failure is rolled away by the victory we have through the resurrected Christ.

c. Gilgal was also the place of renunciation. When Israel crossed the river and camped at Gilgal, God said, "Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise aqain the children of Israel the second time", Josh. 5:2. This Joshua did. Vs. 3-8 explain why. All the men who came out of Egypt had been circumcised, but these had all died in the wilderness. Here with Joshua was a generation of Israelites, none of whom had been circumcised. The parents in the wilderness had failed at this.

God knew before there could be victory in Jericho, there must be circumcision. Circumcision was an outward testimony to the fact that the land was to be possessed in the weakness of the flesh, the suffering, very often, of the body. It symbolized the weakness of everything that man can be, in order that the possession of the land should be given to them unmistakably .in the sovereign grace of God. Here the people were submitting to the knife of God to remove any fleshly thing that would hinder His grace from their lives, or his power in assuring them victory.

This circumcision was prophetically first a reminder of the cross; and that all of our power for victory is because of him who has wrought a spiritual circumcision in us. Listen to Paul say it in Col. 2:10-11, "And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ." But, that circumcision is also a picture of how important it is, however painful, to take the knife of God's word to the sinful areas of our lives. God uses clean vessels in his service. Listen to him say it in II Tim. 2:19-22, "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his, And, Let every one that nameth the name Of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house, there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and of earth, and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour sanctified, and meet for the ,master's use, and prepared unto every good work· Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteous, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart." Pure hearts: clean vessels. That's what Godwants; and there's where his power can best be demonstrated. He does not give great victories to dirty vessels. Believer, you can not expect Jerichos and Jerusalems in your life, as long as it is still polluted with unforgiveness, bitterness, pride, materialistic ambitions, sexual lusts, a critical attitude, bad habits, and such things. However deep it must go, and however painful it may be; before you proceed to Jericho, Ai, and Jerusalem, you had better stop at Gilgal and put the knife to the sins in your life. Otherwise, defeat, not victory, is ahead for you. Fellow believer, do not be afraid of the knife in your life. It is God's way of removing the hindrances to his power in your life. Gilgal was also the place of restoration. It had been 39 years since Israel had observed the Passover. They observed it first in Egypt just before they left, and once at Mt. Sinai; but never since. Now, here at Gilgal, Josh. 5:10 says, "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.

This feast of worship had been abandoned altogether. God had said in Ex. 12:48, "No. uncircumcised person shall eat thereof." Because Israel had refused circumcision, they had forfeited their right to the passover, and surrendered it's privileges by their living in disobedience and unbelief. But immediately after circumcision came the passover. The moment they obeyed, heaven opened, and they feasted in fellowship with God. At the moment they were willing and submitted to the principle of death to self (represented by circumcision) God became very real in their lives.

Believer, there can never be any feasting on the Lord in your heart: never any real, heartfelt worship of God, as long as there .j is disobedience in your life, with which you refuse to deal. Circumcision precedes passover; and repentant confession precedes true, worship of God. Many believers get nothing out of Bible reading, and church services bore them. They accuse the church of being dead. Many times the reason is unaddressed sin and disobedience in the believer's life.

And, what a shame The Lord is in the heart of every believer waiting to bless him. He wants to be real in your life. Listen to him in Matt. 11:29, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart and ye shall find rest unto your souls." Yet, many a believer continues week after week in unbelief and disobedience, in a controversy with God, cut off from the blessings that accompany true fellowship and worship of God. How needless! Immediately the rite of circumcision: that moment, the passover.

And, let me hasten to say that you cannot win the victories of the Lord, and do the work of heaven unless you eat the bread of heaven. You cannot speak for Jesus out of your lips, and your life cannot shine for him unless you are first of all enjoying him in your heart. Jesus said, "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh", in Matt. 12:34. Without a personal vitality and victorious walk with God, your personal ministry will be dead. You cannot convince sinners about a Saviour who is not real to you.

You will never excite a son or daughter about Jesus, if Jesus is not real and exciting to you. The personal joy of God in your heart (your own passover feast) is absolutely vital to any personal ministry you may expect to have with your marriage mate, your fellow employees, your neighbors, your family, or friends, or anybody else.

But note well this picture· Israel had just crossed the river. They were on hostile soil in public view of Jericho, a stronghold of Satan. Enemies were on every hand; yet they were feasting in the Lord. Mister, you don't have to retreat to the relative sanctity of some church to feast on the Lord. Sure, you need church and private time with the Lord; but he can give you some of life's greatest blessings right in the presence of your enemies. You can feast in the Lord right under the nose of the devil. King David said, "thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies,", Psa. 23: 5. And mister, when you are feasting on the Lord, victory is not far ahead!

QUESTIONS ON GILGAL
PART I I

1. What happened to Israel exactly 40 years to the day before they crossed the Jordan?

2. How would you characterize Israel's 40 years in the wilderness?

3. Explain how Israel 's crossing of the Jordan was a NEW beginning.

4. How was the crossing of the Jordan in some ways a preshadow of baptism?

5. What lesson for you is in Israel's crossing?

6. As Israel camped at Gilgal, what legal rite did they keep?

7. Why was the keeping of that rite necessary at that time?

8. Why could Israel not expect victory until this rite was kept?

9. What does circumcision say about the strength of the flesh?

10. How does circumcision teach us the necessity of dependence upon God?

11. What does Israel's removal of any fleshly things that would hinder the power of God in their lives say to you?

12. Name somme specific areas in your life that are hindering you, and need God's knife.

13. Immediately after circumcision, what memorial feast did Israel keep?

14. How many years since Israel had kept this memorial feast?

15. Name the two previous occasions when this celebration had been observed.

16. Why could Israel not keep this memorial during their wilderness stay?

17. Why can't you expect any personal feasting with the Lord until you deal with the sins in your life?

18. What does the Lord want for all believers at all times?

19. Explain why personal feasting in the Lord is an absolute prerequisite to victory.

20. What is your best policy to assure a fruitful personal ministry for you in the Lord?

"It Does Make a Difference What You Believe"