Gilgal
I was preaching on 2 Kings chapter 2, the journey that Elisha took with Elijah down to the Jordan. They began at Gilgal, proceeded to Bethel, went down to Jericho, and finally crossed over the river Jordan. There must be some meaning to these names. They speak of spiritual principles and the journey itself speaks of spiritual progress. I meditated on this chapter, especially the portion relating to the journey.
Then the Lord spoke to me.
Gilgal means 'no place for the flesh';
Bethel means 'no place for idols';
Jericho means 'no place for the world';
Jordan means 'no place for the self'.
Gilgal is where the Israelites first camped when they crossed the Jordan and came into the Promised Land. This is where the 12 stones taken out of the Jordan were set up, presumably in a circle because Gilgal means 'circle of stones'. Those 12 stones speak of identification in death, burial and resurrection. We note that 12 stones were taken from the river bank and placed in the Jordan. Those stones speak of the 12 tribes and of us.
Gilgal is where the Israelites were circumcised. The flesh has to be put away. The circumcision was done with 'sharp knives'. It must have been painful. Gilgal is where they celebrated the Passover. This is where they ate the produce of the land; unleavened bread and parched grain. The manna ceased. Gilgal is where the Lord said, 'I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.' The reproach of the flesh. We know how carnal were the Israelites who roamed the wilderness for 40 years; they longed for meat and the food of Egypt. Egypt is a symbol of the flesh, Isa 31.1, 3.
Gilgal was the base camp for Joshua's military operations. It is as if every time we must start from the Cross, because Gilgal points to the Cross.
Speaking of the flesh, we are reminded of Saul. In 1 Samuel 15, we find that he kept the best of the sheep and cattle and did not destroy them. He also spared Agag the Amalekite. It was Samuel who hacked Agag to pieces before the Lord at Gilgal. The flesh cannot be spared.
The reproach of Egypt is contrasted with the reproach of Christ. In Hebrews 11.26 we find that Moses chose the reproach of Christ instead of the riches and pleasures of Egypt. Do we identify ourselves with the Cross of Christ. Paul tells us there is the offence or reproach of the Cross. The Cross is so sanitized and sentimentalized today that we forget the 'sharp knife'.
Gilgal speaks of all this. We cannot enter into our heavenly inheritance without going through the experience of Gilgal, which is the experience of the inward cross.
Then the Lord spoke to me.
Gilgal means 'no place for the flesh';
Bethel means 'no place for idols';
Jericho means 'no place for the world';
Jordan means 'no place for the self'.
Gilgal is where the Israelites first camped when they crossed the Jordan and came into the Promised Land. This is where the 12 stones taken out of the Jordan were set up, presumably in a circle because Gilgal means 'circle of stones'. Those 12 stones speak of identification in death, burial and resurrection. We note that 12 stones were taken from the river bank and placed in the Jordan. Those stones speak of the 12 tribes and of us.
Gilgal is where the Israelites were circumcised. The flesh has to be put away. The circumcision was done with 'sharp knives'. It must have been painful. Gilgal is where they celebrated the Passover. This is where they ate the produce of the land; unleavened bread and parched grain. The manna ceased. Gilgal is where the Lord said, 'I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.' The reproach of the flesh. We know how carnal were the Israelites who roamed the wilderness for 40 years; they longed for meat and the food of Egypt. Egypt is a symbol of the flesh, Isa 31.1, 3.
Gilgal was the base camp for Joshua's military operations. It is as if every time we must start from the Cross, because Gilgal points to the Cross.
Speaking of the flesh, we are reminded of Saul. In 1 Samuel 15, we find that he kept the best of the sheep and cattle and did not destroy them. He also spared Agag the Amalekite. It was Samuel who hacked Agag to pieces before the Lord at Gilgal. The flesh cannot be spared.
The reproach of Egypt is contrasted with the reproach of Christ. In Hebrews 11.26 we find that Moses chose the reproach of Christ instead of the riches and pleasures of Egypt. Do we identify ourselves with the Cross of Christ. Paul tells us there is the offence or reproach of the Cross. The Cross is so sanitized and sentimentalized today that we forget the 'sharp knife'.
Gilgal speaks of all this. We cannot enter into our heavenly inheritance without going through the experience of Gilgal, which is the experience of the inward cross.
posted by prolix at 11:30 PM
1 Comments:
Thank you for the reflections. In my devotions this morning I asked the same questions regarding the meaning of the nameing of the cities in the account and the spiritual ramifications. It reminded me of ascending as Elijah was being prepared for his ascension.
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