THE GILGAL EFFECT
By: Pastor Matt Morgan
On the 10th day of the first month the people went up from the Jordan and camped at Gilgal on the eastern border of Jericho. And Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken out of the Jordan.
Joshua 4:19-20 NIV
After crossing the Jordan River, Joshua commands the people to bring 12 stones. The narrative is symbolic of the struggle and the long awaited anticipation of entering into the Promised Land. The place the Israelites would camp is called Gilgal. Gilgal is mentioned 39 times in the Bible. Ironically, Jesus received 39 stripes.
In the Hebrew language, Gilgal means circle, to roll back, a wheel. The stones were strategically placed in a circle. Metaphorically speaking, a wheel is a place of turnaround. On the eastern side of Jericho, Gilgal will be a place where God’s word comes full circle. Joshua then orders the Israelites who had been born during the exodus, a forty-year journey, to be circumcised, which is a cutting away of the flesh. In biblical terms, flesh means carnality. This represents setting apart, or sanctification.
Romans 7:18 says, "In my flesh dwells no good thing." Make a new commitment to purity this year. Your Gilgal is waiting. This is a new year for a new you. Your turn around is not just coming, it is here! Trust God to roll away any reproach from yesteryear and roll in new mercies over you today!
On the 10th day of the first month the people went up from the Jordan and camped at Gilgal on the eastern border of Jericho. And Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken out of the Jordan.
Joshua 4:19-20 NIV
After crossing the Jordan River, Joshua commands the people to bring 12 stones. The narrative is symbolic of the struggle and the long awaited anticipation of entering into the Promised Land. The place the Israelites would camp is called Gilgal. Gilgal is mentioned 39 times in the Bible. Ironically, Jesus received 39 stripes.
In the Hebrew language, Gilgal means circle, to roll back, a wheel. The stones were strategically placed in a circle. Metaphorically speaking, a wheel is a place of turnaround. On the eastern side of Jericho, Gilgal will be a place where God’s word comes full circle. Joshua then orders the Israelites who had been born during the exodus, a forty-year journey, to be circumcised, which is a cutting away of the flesh. In biblical terms, flesh means carnality. This represents setting apart, or sanctification.
Romans 7:18 says, "In my flesh dwells no good thing." Make a new commitment to purity this year. Your Gilgal is waiting. This is a new year for a new you. Your turn around is not just coming, it is here! Trust God to roll away any reproach from yesteryear and roll in new mercies over you today!