“Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” So the place has been called Gilgal to this day”
What is reproach? Simply put. “God’s judgement against our stubbornness. A way of ensuring that we understand that we have wondered away. A time to reflect and return back to God”.
Ezekiel 5:14-15 says “I will make you a ruin and a disgrace among the nations around you, in the sight of all who pass by. So you will be a reproach and a taunt, a warning and a horror to the nations around you, when I execute judgments against you in anger, wrath, and raging fury. I, the LORD, have spoken.” Jeremiah 22:9 also says “Then people will reply, 'Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD their God and have worshiped and served other gods.”
God is a balanced God. He is a God of justice and righteousness. Sometimes we settle only on the LOVE of God and never on the WRATH of God. The good news is, when we sin there is a provision for forgive but we must recognize that we have sinned and see the need to repent and come back to God.
What is the significance of this place called Gilgal?
I am not a bible scholar but in simple terms, this place marked the beginning of our spiritual journey in Christ. After the Israelites had crossed over the Jordan Joshua 5:2 says, the Lord gave Joshua a task. “At that time the Lord said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites again.” So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the Israelites at Gibeath Haaraloth.” And after the whole nation had been circumcised, they remained where they were in camp until they were healed” (Joshua 5:2-3; 8).
Joshua was diligent in carrying out this task of circumcision of the whole nation of Israel. After this process, the Lord released His word in Joshua 5:9, literary meaning that at this place we have obeyed the Lord by removing the old skin and allowing the new skin to come. Forsaking our old ways of life and embracing a new way in Christ. Allowing ONLY the Spirit of God to lead and guide us in this new journey of life since He alone is the author of it. It is a place where God is removing shame, disgrace and everything that surrounded the past life and giving us a new identity in Christ Jesus. God is giving a new way for everything. The new life ensures victory and walking as an overcomer. “For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith." Jesus brought this victory through His death on the cross” (1 John 5:4).
Galatians 2:20 says “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” It is only after circumcision that a saved soul can profess this powerful bible verse. This is not a physical process but it spiritual.
Colossians 2:11 says “In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ”. It is by taking a step of faith and putting our trust in Christ Jesus and allowing Him in ourselves to give us a new way of living.
Ephesians 4:21-24 says “assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” This means a renewed mind that has been transformed by the righteousness of Christ. We come to that place where we begin to think and function as lead by the Spirit of God. True believers in Christ understands that when one is truly born again and have been going through the process of circumcision, there is a shift in the spirit realm that affects the mind and gradually transfers it into the mind of Christ. We begin to view and do things differently from our old ways.
“Circumcise yourselves to the Lord; remove the foreskin of your hearts, O men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem; lest my wrath go forth like fire, and burn with none to quench it, because of the evil of your deeds” (Jeremiah 4:4) This is a matter of the heart, it can be done only by total surrender to the transformation power of the completed work on the cross by Jesus the son of the living God. Circumcision can help us live and appreciate the power of the work that Jesus completed on the cross and its significance in our lives.
Joshua 5:13-14 says “Now when 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 for our enemies?” “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?” The Lord is the Commander in charge of every battle in our lives. Through Circumcision our spiritual eyes are opened, and we can see Him engaging in battle and fighting for us. Circumcision is a must if we want to win our spiritual battles. Circumcision is the cleansing that helps to remove everything the hinders our relationship with God. Joshua looked up and was able to see the Commander in charge. Probably he must have been wondering how the wall was going to collapse.
Joshua 24:14 says “Now therefore fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.” Circumcision gives us strength to put on godly fear therefore enhances our ability to serve God sincerely, truthfully, and more so in a rewarding way.
Questions to reflect on
Can you recall when you gave your life to Christ?
Are you walking in and with Christ (circumcised) or you are still walking in your old (uncircumcised) ways?
Can you rate your relationship with God for the past three months? Some areas to consider study of the word, prayer, service to God, personal time spend in His presence Evangelism, etc.
Are you a true believer in Christ Jesus? Not about where you go to church or the role you play.
Prayer:
Father I thank you for your son Jesus and the completed work on the cross. I thank you Lord that I have the opportunity to be called your child. I thank you for the reconciliation through your son. Father I ask in the name of Jesus that you forgive me of any sin I have committed and that has brought difficulties in my walk with you (pause, reflect, and name them). I ask for mercy and I repent of all of them in the name of Jesus. I ask Father that you grand me grace to forsake my old ways of life and walk in the righteousness of Christ in the name of Jesus. Thank you, Father for hearing my prayer in Jesus mighty name. AMEN