Four Dimensions of the Gilgal Experience

FOUR DIMENSIONS OF THE GILGAL EXPERIENCE 

By Ezekiel Kimosop 

Gilgal is geographically located in the Jordan Valley not far from Bethel. It is a location that bears great historical significance to God's covenant people. This article seeks to outline a biblical reflection on four dimensions of Gilgal that can be distilled from the study of the relevant passages of Scripture. 

First, Gilgal is the place where the passover was first celebrated after God's people crossed the Jordan River into the promised land (Joshua 4). This celebration marked a significant historical phase since the redemption of Israel from Egyptian slavery. It brought to a resounding close their 40 year wilderness journey. The children of Israel were therefore ushered into a new dispensation of their covenant relationship with God in the promised land. 

Secondly, Gilgal is the location where the covenant renewal for Israel was done through ritual circumcision. This was done immediately God's people crossed the Jordan River (Joshua 5:2-9). The new generation of God's people was initiated through physical circumcision as a reminder of their covenant relationship with God that was first made with Abraham (Genesis 15, 17).

This physical rite symbolizes the admission of God's people into their Abrahamic covenant. It was punctuated by a powerful divine system. God proclaimed that He had rolled away the reproach of Egypt from His people (Joshua 5:9). The pain and shamed of sinful bondage is rolled away when we turn to Christ and abide in a covenant relationship with Him. 

On the flip side, this rite symbolizes our unmerited access to the bountufulnes of the covenant life in Christ Jesus through our admission to God's household (1 John 1:12; Ephesians 2). It is a reflection of our covenant maturity, where the believer matures to spiritual adulthood. It is equally symbolic of how the Gentile people who had been separated from God were crafted into God's covenant community through the atonement in Christ. It mirrors the transformative power of the gospel in the heart of a repentant sinner that turns to Christ upon conviction of sin (Romans 2:29; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 2:11). 

Thirdly, Gilgal is where God's supply of manna ceased and the people began to eat of the fruit of the promised land (Exodus 16:35; Joshua 5:10-12). Manna was provided to Israel to sustain them through the wilderness journey. It was a temporary provision whose divine purposes were served during the wilderness experience. 

The cessation of manna symbolizes our maturity in Christ, the point at which we wax strong in the faith and defy the cunningness of Satan (Ephesians 4:12-16). It marks our transition from the investiture of basic or elementary truths to the assimilation of core Christian doctrines; from milk to meat (1 Corinthians 3:3-4). 

Finally, Gilgal metaphorically represents the point in our Christian journey where we are compelled to look back to the milestones that we have achieved and where we glorify God for His covenant faithfulness. This is significant step for a covenant community before moving forward into the new dispensation. It is a commemorative moment that is informed by the alertness and prudence in our knowledge of Christ. 

Gilgal therefore reminds us of the greatness of God in the past even as we face the future with confidence and hope. We should never ever forget where God brought us from even during the most trying afflictions of life. 

Whenever we are reminded of the greatness of God, we are strengthened in our resolve to face every obstacle that stands in our way. His immeasurable grace abides with us. We should therefore never forget His great hand through the struggles and afflictions of life. 

Samuel placed a commemenrative stone between Shen and Mizpah in order to remind the generations of God's people about God's covenant faithfulness to Israel when the Philistines were resoundingly defeated (1 Samuel 7:12). Samuel's exhortation was informed by the Gilgal experience. He led Israel to the restoration and renewal of their covenant relationship with God (cf. 1 Samuel 7:12-14).

Psalm 20:7 proclaims that some trust in chariots, others in horses but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. 

Have you tested the Gilgal experience? 

© Ezekiel Kimosop 2023