“Gilgal” Joshua 5: 9-15
Notice that today’s passage begins with the words, “The Lord said to Joshua, ‘Today I have rolled away from you the
disgrace of Egypt.’ And so that place is called Gilgal to this day” (v. 9).
1. Importance of Gilgal
• Gilgal was the location where Israel encamped after crossing the Jordan
• Gilgal is the site where Saul later became king (1 Samuel 11: 15So all the people went to Gilgal and confirmed Saul as king in the presence of the LORD.
• Gilgal is also where King David, after the death of his son Absalom (who had led an armed revolt against his father), crossed the Jordan on his way back to Jerusalem to rule again (2 Samuel 19:15, 40).
• The words of the prophets Hosea and Amos, Gilgal became a site of improper worship.
• Gilgal is where Circumcision was renewed (Jos 5:2-9). Passover kept at (Jos 5:10-11). Manna ceased at, after the Passover (Jos 5:12).
• Elisha tells us Gilgal is A school of the prophets at (2Ki 4:38-40).
• Joshua claims , Gilgal signifies the removal of Israel’s former disgrace
2. What does Gilgal mean to Israel? Joshua tells us that God rolls away “the disgrace of Egypt,”
• The experience of slavery and humiliation, or the sense that God was slow in bringing relief to the people.
• Disgrace feels like: Feelings of shame, A burden of guilt from secret sins.
• A sense of regret about poor choices and missed opportunities.
• God has rolled away the disgrace. It’s gone. Left behind. A thing of the past. Forgiven and forgotten. And as a reminder of this rolling away of disgrace, the place the Israelites are camping is called Gilgal, which means “roll away.” 10On the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, while camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho
3. This is where God wants you to camp today: in Gilgal. Here, your disgrace is rolled away you can start over
• Moses was camped on a hill side and heard these words from the Lord , "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.
• Israel will begin a new stage on their life “Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven,”
• Paul says one can begin a new life like Israel “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!” (5:17).
• Church camp in “Disgrace that is Rolled Away” and start a fresh new life Canna just insight
4. Gilgal also reminds Israel, “No more Manna” heartbroken after 40 years day after day Manna
• 12The manna stopped the day afterC there was no longer any manna for the Israelites
• Gilgal reminds Israel No More Wilderness Journeying and dependence on Manna Disgrace of the inability to provide was no more they could provide for themselves Independence Day text says, “but that year they ate of the produce of Canaan.”
5. Gilgal reminds Joshua God is for us
• God had said, “as I was with Moses so shall I be with you”
• Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, "Are you for us or against us ?" God is for Joshua and for us to.
6. Finally Gilgal,
• Gilgal reminds us God rolls away our disgraces Humiliations, Guiltiness Past failures, bombs, disasters, mistakes,
• Gilgal reminds us we can start a new life,
• Gilgal reminds us no more of same all same all stuff, newness of our Lord
• Gilgal reminds us God is for us and not against us
