Josh. 12: 23 which speaks of the "king of the nations of Gilgal", we shall take the name

Gilgal throughout the book of Joshua to indicate the truth made known in chapters 4:

and 5:, the rolling away of the reproach of Egypt in the rite of circumcision. Whether we

are dealing with the same place always, or possibly another of the same name near

Antipatris, and now called Jidjulah, is a matter which is difficult to decide, and is not for

our purpose very important.

It is quite in keeping with the typical nature of the book of Joshua, and of Gilgal in

particular, that the references of Gilgal in this book, so far as Israel is concerned, are

exactly twelve in number. Further, it is the opinion of some authorities that "Gilgal" and

"Golgotha" are both derived from the same Hebrew root.  This would add to the

symbolism of the name and the circumcision that took place there.

We have discussed the true significance of circumcision in Volume XIX, page 156,

and also in Volume XXIV in the series on Colossians (Col. 2: 11-13), which the reader

should consult if information on this matter is needed. It will suffice here to say that

circumcision implies "no confidence in the flesh" (Phil. 3: 3) and "the putting off of the

body of the flesh" (Col. 2: 11), and is closely associated with burial, baptism, and

resurrection union with Christ, much as we have seen set forth in Josh. 3: and 4:

"The second time."--We must not suppose from Josh. 5: 2 that the same persons

submitted to the rite a second time; but rather, as is explained in verses 4-7, that it refers

to the children that had been born in the wilderness "by the way as they came forth out of

Egypt" and had not been circumcised. "The second time" is balanced by the words of

verse 7: "Their children, whom He raised up in their stead." There had been "a breach of

promise" (Num. 14: 34). The carcasses of the murmurers fell in the wilderness--"but

your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know

the land which ye have despised" (Num. 14: 29-31). This was fulfilled when Joshua led

the people into the land.

The lesson for us is that conquest, victory, growth, the possessing of our possessions,

are impossible apart from the putting off of the old man and the putting on of the new. It

is surely not without significance that it was at Gilgal that Samuel hacked Agag the

Amalekite to pieces--another symbol of the utter repudiation of the flesh (For notes on

"Amalek" see Volume XV, page 177).

"The second time" also suggests the attainment of God's purpose for Israel:--

This element is characteristic of Israel's typical history. Joseph was at first rejected by

his brethren, but received the second time: "And at the second time Joseph was made

known to his brethren" (Acts 17: 13). Moses was rejected the first time: "This Moses

whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send

to be a ruler and a deliverer" (Acts 7: 35).