In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “the LORD said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you. Wherefore the name of the place is called Gilgal unto this day”, and in chapter five and verse ten of the book of Joshua, we learn how Joshua or the author shared how, “the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover”, where we read,
And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal,
and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho.
The verse reads, “And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and the children of Israel” which means “and the offspring and progeny belonging to Israel whose name means God prevails and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob” “encamped in Gilgal” or “pitched their tents, rested and dwelt in Gilgal whose name means a wheel or rolling and was the first site of an Israelite camp west of the Jordan, east of Jericho, here Samuel was judge, and Saul was made king; later used for illicit worship”. Joshua or the writer referred to how the offspring belonging to “Israel” pitched their tents and dwelt in “Gilgal”.
The verse continues, “…and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho.” Joshua added the words, “and kept the passover” or “and prepared and produced the sacrifice pertaining to passover” “on the fourteenth day” which means “upon the fourteenth sunrise to sunset” “of the month at even” or “belonging to the month of the year at sunset or the evening time” “in the plains” which means “within the steppe, desert or wilderness” “of Jericho” or “belonging to Jericho whose name means its moon a city five miles (8 km) west of the Jordan and seven miles (11.5 km) north of the Dead Sea and the first city conquered by the Israelites upon entering the promised land of Canaan”. Joshua or the writer shared how the people of “Israel” observed the sacrifice of “passover” on the “fourteenth day of the month” at the evening time within the desert wilderness belonging to “Jericho”.
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Joshua how the people of “Israel” continued to follow God’s directive for worship as they entered the promise land. They pitched their tents in “Gilgal” and observed the “passover” meal instituted by Moses as they departed from Egypt. (See Numbers 9:1-5) They followed God’s instruction for this sacred meal on the “fourteenth day of the month” at the evening time and in the desert wilderness belonging to “Jericho”. Setting up a memorial, observing the sacred rite of circumcision and observing “passover” were three physical acts which had spiritual implications. God wants a spiritual personal relationship with us through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days, and when we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and help us to observe spiritual practices which keep us in alignment with Him and His ways.
Next timeJoshua or the writer shares how the children of Israel, “did eat of the old corn of the land”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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