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SURVEY OF BIBLE HISTORY
Gilgal - Part 3
Joshua Lesson 6

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.

E. Gilgal was also a place of realization:
Joshua 5:12 says, "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." Manna as good as it was, was wilderness food. It supplied the people's needs only until the old corn was available. Manna was not a permanent food supply. It was transient in nature; a provision only for a transitional period. God never intended the people to stay on manna.

The spiritual picture here is one of spiritual growth. The wilderness with it's manna is a picture of immaturity and the failures that accompany it. Even in our immaturity and failures as believers, God provides our basic needs, as the manna indicates. Although God does not want us to stay immature and weak forever. He wants us to grow up, get into the land of victory, quit eating the child's plate of manna, and start eating the adult food called old corn.

When Joshua and Israel crossed the Jordan and came to Gilgal, they realized the old ways of childishness and immaturity were over, and now they were to exemplify strength, growth, and maturity in the Lord. The wilderness journey had ended. The carnality experience was over, and the food that went with it was finished. Now they were in a new land, enjoying a newness of life, eating the new resources of maturity: old corn.

There's really a basic foreshadow of the resurrected Christ in this story. It's good for a believer to reflect on the marvelous work of Christ on the cross as indicated by their observance of the Passover. But, it is also important for a believer to give his attention to the resurrected Christ. Because he lives, he is ever leading his children on to new growth and experiences of victory. Too many of us who know him are reluctant to the possibility of going on: to any change in his dealings with us. We would stay on manna; we are cautious of old corn. As children, we get attached to our old home, the old ways of our parents, and our security blanket of youth. It's a little scary when we get out of high school, or get married; and suddenly we are leaving the security of the old ways. Likewise, for the child of God, there comes a moment when the old ways have served their purpose. To God, you are infinitely more important than any work you do. (He didn't die for your work; he died for you). He will not be satisfied until you are in full conformity to his will and ways. So, he keeps changing things in your life. He keeps bringing new and different experiences to you, each designed to mold you and make you more mature in him.

The wilderness manna was miracle food. It was the spectacular; the food of high emotion. The old corn was routine, ordinary food; not miraculous, but full of substance. Don't miss this picture. Believer, don't be dependent on emotional excitement, spiritual thrills, and spectacular meetings. It takes a steady diet of these to keep the kindergarten and elementary school Christians going. Believer, Jesus is risen, and sits at the right hand of the Father where he ever liveth to make intercession for you, Heb. 7:25. He's the old corn for you; and he's all you need. He satisfies the longing soul. He is your guide. He is your source of unending power. Col. 3:11 says, "Christ is all" In Rev. 1:8 he said, "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending." The "Alpha" is the first letter of the Greek alphabet. The "Omega" is the last letter. Jesus is any good thing that can come out of any possible combination of the alphabet. Folks, the mature believer doesn't have to have all the emotional excitements, the charismatic raw-raws, and the constant ego-builders. His Christian life reaches it's fruitage through the cross of Jesus, and draws it's power from the throne of grace. His strength and power is drawn from his feasting on the risen Christ, who is his all-in-all.

Yes, Gilgal is a place of realization. A realization of maturity: a realization that the wilderness and it's food of immaturity is past; and believers are in a new land, eating on a daily, routine basis the old corn of the reality of the risen, all sufficient, need supplying Savior.

Finally, Gilgal was the place of revelation. Listen to Joshua 5:13-15, "And it came to pass when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him. and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to-the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? And the captain of the LORD's host said unto

Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off they foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And. Joshua did so."

What a revelation here of the power of God to help in the hour of need to assure victory to those who fight the good fight of faith.

Who was this man who met and challenged Joshua? the same one before whom Simon Peter later bowed and said, "Lord...thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ the Son of the living God" in John 6:68-69. He was the same one, who very near this spot 1448 years later gave sight to blind Bartemaeus (Matt. 20:29-34), and gave eternal life to a sinner named Zacchaeus, Luke 19:1-9. The words he spoke to Joshua in Josh. 5:9, are identical to those spoken to Moses just over 40 years previously, "Loose thy shoe from off thy foot, for the place where on thou standest is holy,"

And once Joshua asked and found out who he was, how did he respond? Without a moment's hesitation, Joshua was on his face at the feet of this great Commander. He wasn't trying to line up the Commander on his side; he was lining himself up on the Commander's side.

And, what help could this great Commander give against such potent adversaries as Jericho, Gath, Shechem, and Jerusalem? This Commander said he was captain of the host of the Lord. He was not referring to the little Israeli army; but to the real, though unseen forces of our God. Jesus spoke of that host in Matt. 26:53 when he said, Thinkest that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently qive me more than twelve legions of anqels?" That's 72,000 heavenly soldiers. When the servant of Elisha the prophet became fearful of the great army of the King of Syria, "Elisha prayed and said LORD I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see and the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha." II Kings 6:17. Brethren, I am here to tell you that Jesus our Commander has a heavenly host that no man can number; and as the fallen walls of Jericho testify, when he is with you, no one can successfully be against you. Mister, a look at the power of God that is available to every believer is a revelation.

But, don't miss the main point of this encounter. The main objective of the Captain of our salvation is his objectives: his enterprises; not ours. If we are willing to line up with his plans, and make his objectives our objectives, we can expect victory at our Jericho. But, if we get caught up in our own little private enterprises, we are foolish to think the captain. of the Lord of hosts will command his forces in our support. Don't think you can have divine help in your personal project. Divine help comes only to those engaged in God's projects, not their own. If your project lines up with God's, he'll support it; not because it's yours, but because it's his.

Failure in this area is at the root of a great many of our important endeavors of life, which obviously lack the power of God in them. Are you working at the job you are on as a means of furthering the enterprise or program of God? Did you marry the mate you have with the well being of God's enterprise in mind? Is the business you've initiated, the move you're making, or the education or training you are getting designed to enhance and foster the program of God? If you must in honesty answer "No", then you've told yourself why you have no help from God in the matter, why there's no evidence of the power of God in your life, and why you are going to continue to face troubles and disillusionment’s. God is not interested in your programs; he's interested in his. The only help you get in prayer, or in any other way comes only when you're asking for supplies to enhance his enterprise; not yours.

But, oh, the power that's ours when we make his work our work. He said in that condition, "Whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may qive it you", in John 15:16. Listen to him in John 14:15, "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do." But, when we ask or hope to receive the help of God that we may consume it on our own personal projects, James 4:3 says, "ye receive not". Oh, that believers might realize how vital it is that they align themselves with God, and fight the battles of the Lord in the strength of the Lord. II Cor. 10:4 says, "The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds." In the power of God, Joshuas are turned into heroes; and simple housewives, ordinary men, and otherwise no-name individuals are turned into champions for Christ.

But, it is only possible when we submit ourselves to the command of the Captain of the Lord of hosts.

QUESTIONS ON GILGAL
Part #3

1. Explain how manna was transitional food.

2. When did the heavenly manna stop?

3. How is manna a picture of immaturity?

4. What food replaced manna for Israel?

5. What did the change in diets signal for Israel?

6. How was the new Israeli food a picture of maturity?

7. Is God more interested in you or in the work you're doing?

8. What are God's personal workings in your life designed to accomplish?

9. In what sense was the manna a food of emotions?

10. What is the lesson of the "old corn"?

11. Explain the meaning of Jesus as the Alpha and the Omega.

12. Who’s the man who challenged Joshua^?

13. Name other places in scripture where this man appears.

14. Name the act this man required of Moses and of Joshua.

15. How did Joshua respond once he realize who this was?

16. Who did this Commander command?

17. Explain the Commander's ability to help.

18. In whose venture was this Commander primarily interested?

19. When, and only when, can we expect the help of this Commander?

20. What can we ask and expect to receive once we place ourselves under this

Commander's command?

"It Does Make a Difference What You Believe"