Gilgal holds a multifaceted significance in the Bible, serving as a place of great historical, spiritual, and theological importance. To understand its full importance, we must delve into various passages and contexts, particularly within the Pentateuch and the historical books of the Old Testament.
First mentioned in the Book of Joshua, Gilgal is the location where the Israelites first encamped after crossing the Jordan River into the Promised Land (Joshua 4:19). This event marks a pivotal moment in the history of Israel, representing the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The crossing of the Jordan is reminiscent of the earlier crossing of the Red Sea, symbolizing a new beginning for the nation of Israel as they transition from their desert wanderings to the conquest of Canaan.
At Gilgal, Joshua set up twelve stones taken from the Jordan River as a memorial to the miraculous crossing. Joshua 4:20-24 states:
"And those twelve stones, which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up at Gilgal. And he said to the people of Israel, 'When your children ask their fathers in times to come, "What do these stones mean?" then you shall let your children know, "Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground." For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you passed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up for us until we passed over, so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever.'"
This act of setting up the stones serves not only as a memorial but also as a didactic tool, ensuring that future generations would remember and revere the mighty works of God.
Gilgal also served as a place of covenant renewal and consecration. In Joshua 5, we read that all the males who had been born during the wilderness journey were circumcised at Gilgal, as the previous generation had not carried out this covenantal sign. Joshua 5:2-9 describes this event, and in verse 9, the Lord says to Joshua:
"Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you." And so the name of that place is called Gilgal to this day."
The term "Gilgal" itself is derived from the Hebrew word "galal," which means "to roll." This renaming signifies a new chapter in Israel's relationship with God, as they were now fully committed to the covenant established with Abraham.
Moreover, Gilgal was the site of the first Passover in the Promised Land (Joshua 5:10-12). This celebration further solidified their identity as God's chosen people and reminded them of their deliverance from Egypt. The cessation of manna following this Passover, as they began to eat the produce of the land, marked the end of their dependence on God's miraculous provision in the wilderness and the beginning of a new phase of self-sustenance in the land flowing with milk and honey.
In the book of 1 Samuel, Gilgal continues to hold significant spiritual and political importance. It is at Gilgal that Saul is confirmed as the first king of Israel (1 Samuel 11:14-15). Samuel, the prophet, calls the people to Gilgal to renew the kingdom, emphasizing the centrality of this location in Israel's national and religious life. This event is crucial as it marks the transition from the period of the judges to the establishment of the monarchy.
However, Gilgal is also the setting for Saul's disobedience and subsequent rejection by God. In 1 Samuel 13, Saul offers a burnt offering at Gilgal, a task reserved for the prophet Samuel. This act of impatience and presumption leads to Samuel's rebuke and the declaration that Saul's kingdom would not endure. Later, in 1 Samuel 15, Saul's failure to fully obey God's command to destroy the Amalekites and his subsequent justification at Gilgal results in God's rejection of him as king. Samuel's words in 1 Samuel 15:22-23 highlight the importance of obedience over ritual:
"Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king."
These events at Gilgal underscore the theme of covenant faithfulness and the consequences of disobedience. Gilgal, therefore, serves as a backdrop for both the establishment and the failure of Saul's kingship, illustrating the conditional nature of God's covenant with Israel's leaders.
In addition to its historical and theological significance, Gilgal is mentioned in the prophetic literature as a place of religious apostasy. The prophet Hosea condemns the idolatrous practices that took place there, indicating a departure from true worship. Hosea 4:15 states:
"Though you play the whore, O Israel, let not Judah become guilty. Enter not into Gilgal, nor go up to Beth-aven, and swear not, 'As the Lord lives.'"
This denunciation reflects the spiritual decline that had occurred over time, transforming a site of profound religious significance into one associated with unfaithfulness.
Gilgal's multifaceted role in the biblical narrative—from a site of memorial, covenant renewal, and kingship to a symbol of disobedience and apostasy—offers a rich tapestry of theological insights. It serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and the importance of obedience, the dangers of presumption, and the consequences of turning away from true worship.
For non-denominational Christians today, Gilgal can be seen as a symbol of the new beginnings and the importance of remembering God's past faithfulness. It challenges believers to remain faithful to God's commands and to avoid the pitfalls of disobedience and ritualism without true devotion. The lessons from Gilgal encourage a deeper commitment to living out the covenant relationship with God, marked by obedience, reverence, and heartfelt worship.
