Roll Back the Stone

"Then the LORD said to Joshua, "Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you." So the place has been called Gilgal to this day." Joshua 5:9

The use of the Hebrew word Galal Originally llg) "to roll or to roll away" is very interesting in this passage from the Joshua. The Jews had crossed the Jordan after years in the desert where "they had not obeyed the lord." Joshua 5:6 So, God told Joshua to "circumcise the Israelites again."

Upon the completion of the circumcision of all the males who had been born in the desert on the journey from Egypt, the Lord declared that on this day their act of obedience to his law caused the reproach of Egypt to be "rolled back." This phrase rolling back is found in two other places in the bible (Genesis 29:7-9) when Jacob met his future wife Rachel in the desert. Trying to get his sheep watered after a long desert journey the people at the well there said, "until the flock is gathered and the the stone has been rolled away from the mouth of the well. Then we will water the sheep." Gen 29:8 And yet again it is found in the new testament (Matthew and Mark) in reference to the stone that covered the entrance to the tomb where Jesus was laid after his crucifixion.

How awesome! It was only when the stone was rolled back could the sheep be refreshed with water; it was not until the the Israelites had returned to the laws of God that their reproach (disapproval, rebuke, disgrace) could be removed (forgiven); and it was not until the stone was rolled away and Jesus rose from the dead that the sins of all mankind were forgiven by God! Praise God for his mercy!

My prayer: Father you are an awesome God, a gracious forgiver of sins who waits for his sheep to return to him and follow his word. Thank you Lord for patiently waiting and thank you for giving us all a way to roll back the disgrace that we find when we fall away from obedience to you. Refresh us Lord with your life giving water that can only be found by accepting your son Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. I pray that all who do not know you will be drawn to you and allow You to roll away the stone in their lives, in the name of Jesus, Amen!