Gilgal is first mentioned in Deuteronomy 11:30. In the vicinity of Gilgal, there are 2 mountains; Mount Gerizim, the mountain of blessings and Mount Ebal, the mountain of curses. The experience of blessings and curses is based on one’s devotion to Yahweh. 

The Lord desires that His children, led by Joshua, to experience His blessing. After crossing river Jordan, Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken out of the Jordan. 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. 

Egypt loves to echo discouragement, shame and accusation into God’s children. God proclaimed that He wanted to roll away this reproach. After His proclamation, He reminded His children 5 more times through experiential learning; the Passover, the central, southern, northern and Hebron conquests. 

Experiential Learning 1: The Passover (Joshua 5)

Joshua 5:10 On the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, while camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, the Israelites celebrated the Passover. 

Yes, when facing the Jericho enemy, they could still celebrate! The day after the Passover, that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land: unleavened bread and roasted grain. The manna stopped the day after they ate this food from the land; there was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate of the produce of Canaan. It was time to plunder the enemy and eat of the produce of the land.   

Experiential Learning 2: The Central Conquest (Joshua 6-9)

Using their base camp Gilgal, Joshua cut through the heart of the Canaan land by gaining control over
Jericho, Ai and Gibeon.

Joshua 9:6 Then (the Gibeonites) went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and said to him…     

Experiential Learning 3: The Southern Conquest (Joshua 10-11)

Joshua 10:6-7 The Gibeonites then sent word to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal: “Do not abandon your servants. Come up to us quickly and save us! Help us, because all the Amorite kings from the hill country have joined forces against us.” So Joshua marched up from Gilgal with his entire army, including all the best fighting men. 

The main troops of the 5 southern Amorite kingdoms were defeated by Joshua through a sun-stand-still conquest. 

Joshua 10:15 Then Joshua returned with all Israel to the camp at Gilgal.  The allies of 5 southern Amorite kings (Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem, Hohan king of Hebron, Piram king of Jarmuth, Japhia king of Lachish and Debir king of Eglon) were finally wiped out by Joshua.       

Joshua 10:43 Then Joshua returned with all Israel to the camp at Gilgal. 

Experiential Learning 4: The Northern Conquest (Joshua 12) From Gilgal, Joshua then launched a Northern campaign that defeated the allies of many northern kings.  

Experiential Learning 5: The Hebron Conquest (Joshua 14)

Joshua 14:6 Now the men of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, “You know what the LORD said to Moses the man of God at Kadesh Barnea about you and me…”  And finally, Caleb inherited Hebron through his ‘give me the hill country’ conquest. 

Reflection:

·        Do you have any Egypt Reproach that tells you that you’re a failure?

·        Do you want Gilgal to roll away the Reproach?

·        Do you need Mount Gerizim blessings?

·        Are you ready to be fully devoted to Him?

·        Do you want the experiential learning of Joshua?

·        Are you ready to ask God to train you to be a Warrior of Light for Conquest?

What a great God we worship!

 As we enter the book of Joshua, we see how great God is in battle. He was completely in charge of making His name glorified among His children & the nations: drying up of Jordan River, falling of
Jericho walls, sun stand still, etc. But what amazes me is that he chose to make Joshua great because God has called him to be the leader. Who is Joshua? I suspect he is not a very bold man; God has to constantly encourage him to be bold & courageous, telling him not to be afraid, not to be discouraged. Are you identifying with Joshua? 

But see the loving hand of the Almighty God upon this faithful follower: He knew Joshua has a big shoe to fit (Moses), Joshua needs to win the respect of his followers. God was committed to make Joshua look good so that His will can be accomplished through this mortal man.

What does Joshua has to do: TRUST & BE FAITHFUL. Having COMPLETE FAITH in Him who has the power to do what He has promised.

Today, if you are a leader in our cluster: 

Know that God has called you! And your God can made you look good in the sight of the nations.

Trust in the heart of your heavenly Father.