The 1st Passover in Canaan: Reproach was “rolled away” at Gilgal

(Yehoshua/Joshua 5) B”H 5783

Celebrating Passover in Gilgal

The first Passover celebrated in the Promised Land of Canaan was very significant.

Joshua had successfully led the Israelites across the Jordan, on dry ground (Joshua 3:17). The children of Israel, under Joshua’s direction and the order of the LORD, had taken twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan for each of the 12 tribes of Israel (Joshua 4:8) to carry with them.

Now they had arrived in a place that would be known as “Gilgal” from that time forward.

Why “Gilgal?”

“Gilgal” was a word that expressed “rolling away.”

Some have suggested that Gilgal was an Israelite version of Stonehenge. Perhaps they did set up 12 stones in a formation, but the Scripture does not allude to the Israelites conducting at this point a massive engineering feat – not to mention, Joshua was doing his best to obey the LORD, and most set-ups like Stonehenge are much more pagan in nature than what we would anticipate God doing here.

The Israelites were heading toward confrontation with Jericho, so again, they were probably spending their time in training exercises more so than setting up monoliths. Nevertheless, there IS what is known as a “Gilgal”, concentric circles similar to a labyrinth located at that site in modern day Golan Heights that archaeologists date as being much older than Joshua’s time. It would make sense that God would use that place to reveal a far deeper truth about rolling stones away.

The Reproach of Egypt has been rolled away

Then the LORD said to Joshua, “This day I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” Therefore the name of the place is called Gilgal to this day.” Joshua 5:9, emphasis added

There they were . . . camped in the Promised Land, and the LORD announces that the reproach, the shame, the mistreatment, the oppression, the horrors of bondage were now

completely

rolled

away.

Passover Observed

And then the children of Israel observed Passover.

“And they ate of the produce of the land on the day after the Passover, unleavened bread and parched grain, on the very same day. Then the manna ceased on the day after they had eaten the produce of the land; and the children of Israel no longer had manna, but they ate the food of the land of Canaan that year.” Joshua 5:11-12

The manna ceased and the people had their first taste of what life would be like in the Promised Land.

They had been set free and delivered, and brought into blessing!

The Commander of the LORD’s Army, the Resurrection, and the Seven Shofars

After this, the Commander of the LORD’s army appeared before Joshua with a sword in his hand (Joshua 5:13).

The LORD assures Joshua that Jericho will be defeated. Remember that Jericho was defeated by the shouts of the people and the priests sounding seven shofars seven times on the seventh day of their marching (Joshua 6).

You may know Joshua (Yehoshua) is a type for the future Yehoshua (Yeshua) — Jesus.

This chapter is full of awesome allusion!

First, we see that our reproach is rolled away. Egypt is left behind.

When our Messiah and Savior Yeshua (Jesus) defeated sin and death (the ways of Egypt and Jericho), He brought us into victory with Him!

All reproach was rolled away along with the stone on the day of our LORD’s Resurrection!

Revelation 8ff describes the seven seals and the seven shofars and the seven angels who will announce the coming of the LORD and His army and the final destruction of Babylon.

Again, all reproach will be rolled away!

THE TOMB IS EMPTY! THE LORD REIGNS! HE WILL REIGN FOREVER AND EVER!

Resurrection Power

Are you living in the Promised Land of God’s love and affection for you?

Do you have the full assurance that you will one day be raised to new life – eternal life – because of your trust in Yeshua haMashiach, the LORD Jesus Christ?

Have you tasted of the fruits of the Spirit?

Are you wearing the full armor of God and walking in victory as the enemy is defeated all around you?

Are you waiting with joyful expectation for the return of our King of kings in glory and victory and awesome power?

Do you need your sin and past rolled away? There is forgiveness available to you. The LORD is willing to forgive you if you will just come to Him with a sincere and repentant heart.

Let me invite you today to come with us – all truly saved believers – to this heavenly banquet. If you celebrate the Passover meal, it will give you a glimpse into this wonderful Truth. As we all celebrate the Victory of our Risen LORD, you, too, can receive Him into your life and know with absolute hope and confidence that He will raise you to new life, too. When this life is over, we will be joined together with our LORD and we will sit at the banquet table of His love. May today bring you great shalom and joy because Yeshua (Jesus) is our Living Hope!