Topic: Importance of Gilgal

Gilgal was a place of memorial. Gilgal is significant in the Bible because it served as a place of memorial to remind the Israelites of what God had done by parting the Jordan River (Joshua 4:19-24).

Gilgal was a place of commitment. It was at Gilgal that the Israelites were circumcised and celebrated their first Passover in the Promised Land (Joshua 5:7–8, 10). The children of those who had wandered in the desert had not yet been circumcised, and it was time for them to take the sign of the covenant and be set apart as God’s people.

Gilgal was a place of worship. Years later, Gilgal was a place of worship to offer sacrifices to the Lord. It was also the place where Saul was publicly crowned the first king of Israel (1 Samuel 10:8; 11:15).

Gilgal was a place of judgment. It was at Gilgal that Samuel rebuked Saul and prophesied his loss of the kingdom (1 Samuel 13:13–14).

From Gilgal forward, Israel’s unbelief—that they were just slaves and could not accomplish becoming a nation with a country—was no longer hanging over their heads. They were finally in a position to receive the blessings God had promised them so long ago. They finally believed that God could be trusted to give them a land. They finally believed to the point of victory.

Yes, there were still battles to fight. But they believed that God would bring them victories. Fear was no longer a factor. Their trust was in the Lord. They were now in a position to receive the blessing of the Lord—His presence (Joshua 5:13-15).

What is the significance of Gilgal for us?

Gilgal is now a moment when God lifts the reproach of an area in our life. After we have struggled with an area in our life for a long period of time and now, we have embraced the Lordship of Christ by learning to trust God with an area of struggle. God comes along and lifts the reproach of it from our life and we are ready to receive the blessing of God’s presence in our life. (Joshua 5:9)

So many people today hinder themselves from receiving the presence of God because they have not been obedient to the Lord. Through disobedience, a lack of commitment, fear, pride or unbelief, they are wandering around in the wilderness of their lives aching to live in the fullness of God’s presence in their lives.

Gilgal is the moment of surrendering to the conviction of the Holy Spirit by repenting of sin and confessing the Lordship of Christ. This will result in the presence of God delivering you to victory.

See you Sunday,

Dr. Scott Kallem