Village Schools of the Bible

A Devotional Study of Joshua
by Max Frazier, Jr.

MORE LESSONS LEARNED AT GILGAL
Joshua 5

Let us take a walk into Jericho. We hear reports that Israel had been successful in crossing the flood swollen Jordan. We have heard how Israel's God had dried up the waters of the Jordan and it reminds us of the reports we have heard about the Red Sea. The order is given to make the city secure. Panic has struck. We observe that the people hope that their gods will protect them in the coming attack, but they are not so confident. They seem to be a doomed people.

Now the camp of Israel knew the fears within Jericho. There is an old military tactic which states that you "get them while they are down." We might have expected Israel to rush toward Jericho to take advantage of the situation. But God has sent them instead to Gilgal - a place of remembrance, a place of memorial as we noticed in our last study.

Here, in this fifth chapter, let us observe some more lessons which God desires Israel to learn in order for them to become successful in their receiving the gift of the Promised Land.

We read in verse 2 these words, At that time the Lord said to Joshua, "Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites again." Now this seems like a very unreasonable request of God. He was really asking Joshua to disable his army for a period of time. Now you might be saying, "Why was this circumcision so important?" In order for us to appreciate the significance, we must travel back into the book of Genesis and chapter 17. There God commands that Abraham be circumcised as an outward act of obedience displaying the faith Abraham had in God's promises. Circumcision was the outward sign of a complete yielding to God. It was the outward manifestation of a clean heart. Its purpose was to show a people separated unto God.

For forty years, Israel was under punishment for their sins at Kadesh in refusing to enter into the Promised Land. Now, Israel was in that land but could not enjoy its riches until they made a complete break with their sin. Their uncircumcised state reminded them of their sinful past. In verse 9, after the circumcision had occurred, God stated, Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you. What did God mean? "The reproach of Egypt" was at the center of Israel's sinful way of life. They had worshipped Egypt's god - the golden calf. They had desired Egypt's way of life instead of the goodness of the Promised Land. They had a constant desire to go back to the old way when the going got tough. Yet, now with their circumcision, they were stating to God that they were willing to break with the past and to trust God for the future.

If we are to be successful in our Christian walk, we, too, must be willing to make a complete break with sin, to realize all of God's forgiveness. You and I are not adequate in ourselves to deal with sin. We make excuses for them, cover them up, overlook them, and even ignore them. I like the statement attributed to Billy Sunday about sin. This is what that great baseball player turned evangelist said about his fight against sin: I'm against sin. I'll kick it as long as I've got a foot, and I'll fight it as long as I've got a fist. I'll butt it as long as I've got a head. I'll bite it as long as I've got a tooth. When I'm old and fistless and footless and toothless, I'll gum it till I go home to Glory and it goes home to perdition.

I like that statement and that attitude.

Lord, perhaps it is time to take us back to Gilgal so that the reproach of Egypt might be removed from our lives. Father, give us a spirit that wills to fight against sin. Give us a heart that desires to be cleansed and forgiven. Make us a people holy unto You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

STILL MORE LESSONS LEARNED AT GILGAL
Joshua 5:10

So far, in our brief study of this marvelous chapter, we have observed that God has used the time Israel has spent at Gilgal to remind them of His powerful and miraculous presence (the memorial stones), and to cause the reproach of Egypt to be removed from them (through the act of circumcision). Now the way for their fellowship with God was reopened.

We read in verse 10, On the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, while camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, the Israelites celebrated the Passover. This is the only the third Passover which the people of Israel had celebrated. Of course we all remember that very first instance, there in Egypt on the night in which the angel of death went throughout the land killing the firstborn among the Egyptians. It was Israel's hour of deliverance. The second occurrence came a year later, there at the foot of Mount Sinai, just as Israel was preparing for the journey into the Promised Land. We read about this time in Numbers 9:5. But, then came the sins of the refusal to enter into the Promised Land, and Israel spent the next thirty-eight years or so living out of fellowship with God because of sin.

Now, they are prepared for the restoration of that fellowship once again. Sins have been confessed and forgiven. The Passover has been observed by a new generation who is eager for God's precious gift to them.

One of the things which I observed in verse 10, which describes this time of Passover celebration, is its location. It is on the plains in front of Jericho. This is not a place of ease, but a place of distress. Sometimes the places of greatest intimacy with God are those places and times of deepest affliction and distress. God desires that we enjoy our fellowship with Him anywhere.

Just ask Peter, "Peter, where can you experience the fellowship with God?", and he might reply, "In prison while awaiting my death." We read, in Acts 12, that Peter had such fellowship with God that he could actually sleep the night before his impending death.

Just ask Paul, "Paul, where can you experience the fellowship with God?", and he might also reply, "In prison after being falsely accused and beaten." We read, in Acts 16, that Paul and his traveling companion Silas, actually sang praises to God there in that jail cell in Philippi.

Just ask Daniel, "Daniel, where can you experience the fellowship with God?", and he might reply, "In a lions' den." We read, in Daniel 6, that Daniel experienced the very presence of God while there in that place of death.

One more example. Ask Shadrach and his two friends, "Where can you experience the fellowship with God?", and they will reply, "Even while in a furnace of fire."

Friends, wherever we are, God is present. Therefore, wherever we are, God desires to fellowship with us. Remember these familiar words from David, Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies. Yes, in the presence of those enemies of discouragement, despair, and even doubt.

Father, we praise You for the lessons we have learned during our time at Gilgal. You have reminded us so wonderfully of who You are and of Your desire to fellowship with us. Thank You for being such a marvelous God. We give You praise. Amen.

Joshua 4 Return to Table of Contents Joshua 6