Welcome friends and guests. Thank you for coming this way.
Today's newsletter marks the beginning of a series. While I agree that the Topic being discussed is not one that grabs ones attention at the very start, nevertheless it is advisable to get to the end of the discussion so as to get the complete message being conveyed.
At the time Joshua son of Nun took over the leadership of his people, Israel had suffered some 400 years of slavery in Egypt, and then some 40 years in the wilderness. For ten or so generations it seemed it was the same sad story over and over again: whenever they thought the end was close, somehow it eluded them.
So when their journey brought them before the Jordan River, little did they know they were to have a divine visitation and a profound experience. Some of them may have said to one another, "Oh, here we go again! Another day for more wandering. What could God be up to this time? Is this travail ever going to end? When will I get to the end of the tunnel?"
The descendants of Jacob got a national identity when they left Egypt. It was in the wilderness, they were given the law and the commandments, the Tabernacle and the Priesthood, the Feasts and the Sacrifices; but there was still one thing missinga homeland. In taking them through the Jordan on dry ground, God was ushering them into an experience--an experience that was to end the years of waiting and launch them finally into the Land.
Meet the Meaning
Josh.4:19 says, "And the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, in the east border of Jericho." Gilgal is an Hebrew word based on the root-word: 'gal' which means ROLL. When used as a double we have "gal-gal" implying "to roll and roll" that is, "to roll round and round, rolling off and away." It is gal-gal that God transposed into GILGAL. In this series, I seek to introduce to you what I term "The Gilgal Experience."
To any divine encounter or experience, there is always the antecedent, the subsequent and the consequent; that is, the past, the now and the future. We shall be digging into these three aspects of what the children of Israel experienced at Gilgal to break upon certain principles and the lessons emanating from them. Some of these principles you may know already.
It is ONE topic yet THREE parts. I encourage you to take your time in going through the entire series; and as you read through, endeavour to collect prayer-points to aid you in praying into this experience.
In introducing the topic of discussion, I mentioned that any divine experience or encounter can be examined in a threefold manner-- the antecedent, the subsequent, and the consequent. At this point, we shall examine the Scriptures to see what events prompted for Israel the Gilgal Experience. Now, lets dig in.
Meet the Antecedents
1. Gilgal was the Place for Israel's first Camp: in Crossing Jordan (Josh.4v19-20)
The people crossed on a dry riverbed because the Lord dried up the obstacle to their entering the next phase of their destiny. He crossed them over only after they purified themselves Josh.3v2-5.
In life, if you must be guided by God in crossing over Jordan you must purify yourself first. This is because you must first cross Jordan before Gilgal can be initiated.
The events surrounding their crossing was monumental, it appears God always launches His people to the next phase of their destiny in a monumental way. We must remember such events in our lives because they not only give us a perspective of God's work with our lives, they also serve as a pillar of hope when things look rough.
After they crossed, they camped for the night. When they camped, they celebrated. Their celebration of the Passover, the first in the Promised land, was not in just in remembrance of God's last plague upon the Egyptian that resulted in their been sent out of Egypt; this celebration was done with the tangible evidence of their feet on the soil of their destination and possession. Manna ceased that day because that day, they began to eat the fruit/harvest of the land.
2. Gilgal was a Place of Circumcision: in Casting off Undesirables (Josh.5v2-9)
It was a place for the people to truly turn to God. In their relationship with the Lord, something was lacking- the essential ingredient of obedience to God's word and covenant specifics. When God came into terms with their ancestor, Abraham, He said that circumcision would be the physical sign of their agreement.
It wasn't the physical sign that mattered but their obedience to God, for obedience from the heart shows that the state of their hearts was that of submission to God's will. With this in place, all that they needed in their new present phase would be readily available from God: be it covering, favour, direction or victory.
As they approached God in TOTAL obedience to God's word and covenant, they were reborn. Even God kept them from battle till they were healed and fit to fight. As they were reborn, Gilgal came into focus. Gilgal from being a possibility became a reality!
One doesn't just stumble upon Gilgal. It does not happen by chance. It is never a thing of coincidence. Be sure to know that Gilgal will remain in conception except certain things are put in place: God's part and man's part.
If God crosses me over Jordan because He is set to do a new thing in my life, then I must be ready and willing to put off all He doesn't desire in my life. Such may be habits, inclinations, friends, and so on. Whatever it is God says you should get rid of, whatever He demands you sacrifice on the altar, you have choice to obey or not. There is no in between. There is no negotiating.
So Far... ...
It has been said we MUST act in obedience in casting off every undesirable, and in displacing everything we have exalted in our lives above the Lord. We must lose ALL of such so that God may have our fullest attention. We must purify ourselves and obey before Gilgal can come. Only then can we receive divine instructions, strategies, techniques and methods for easily securing victory. Now permit me to go further.
Lessons from the Antecedents
How we so often and easily forget that which God has done for us. That is why most believers lack the motivation to excite their faith in moving into the realm of future breakthroughs. It is said of David in 1.Sam.17v31-37 that when Saul reminded him of obstacle-facts, he in turn informed the king of faith-facts.
Verse 36 says, "Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God." Start today to keep a mental note of what God has done for you, by always starting your prayers with thanksgiving.
Lesson Number Two: Many Christians do not know the importance of having knowledge of God's will. Paul prayed for the Colossian brethren that God would give them COMPLETE knowledge of His will, and that they be filled with ALL spiritual wisdom and understanding. God is interested in having His own sons desire to know specifics of His will about things, especially as concerning their lives.
Except you are properly tuned, you may not perceive God's prophetic visitations upon you. Remember what Christ said in Lk.19v44 about Jerusalem not knowing the time of her visitation. If you are not tuned in, how would you know when God brings you to Jordan? You would most certainly take such moments for granted. There is the need to always ask God to increase both your spiritual sensitivity and capacity.
Lesson Number Three: Ask yourself, "To what degree have you really submitted to God?" Some of us submit in some areas of life but keep from obeying God in other areas. How can a student who want academic success from God engage in examination malpractice, or any other form of misconduct during examination?
Or a woman that desires financial breakthrough refuse to pay her tithe? How can a man who desires divine protection over his home be keeping malice with his wife? So many examples exist! I admonish you to check yourself because Gilgal will come only after your obedience is complete.
Next up is Part Two (Meet The Subsequent) where we shall discuss the subsequent events to the already examined antecedents.
Feel free to post your comments and don't forget to share this piece with your friends.
Shalom!
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