Joshua 5:9 – “This day, I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.”

I am thankful that God’s love is unconditional and long-suffering.  He would have smashed us like bugs if either of those were not true.  Because of God’s love, we can love and have incredible peace!

Joshua 4-5 contains powerful revelation.   God told Joshua to send men into the Jordan and take twelve stones from the middle of the river.   The stones were at the feet of those carrying the Ark.   They were to be taken to the place they would lodge for the night—Gilgal.

The twelve stones were memorials for the whole family of God, including all the tribes.   They were taken from the Jordan, the doorway or portal from the past to the future.  They were to be reminders of where they had been, pointing to where they were to go.  Gilgal is important for two reasons.   It means a circle of stones or a rolling away.    Joshua 5:9 – “This day I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.”

In Joshua 3, he instructed them to keep their eyes on the Ark because they were going where they had never been, and by following the Ark, they would have a roadmap to victory.   The Ark contained the Word, which expressed or detailed the Promise.   It is a guide!   Follow the Ark because it is a guide.

Unfortunately, as Jesus revealed in Matthew 5:20, we can lose sight of the Ark and act out of our carnality.  He made a disturbing declaration in Matthew 5:20 – “For I tell you, UNLESS your lives are more pure and full of integrity than the religious scholars and the Pharisees, you will NEVER enter heaven’s kingdom.”

Then, He addresses some moral, social, and spiritual issues.  

• Murder is equated to hatred for others, especially other believers.
• If you curse another believer, you place yourself on a pathway to hell.

(He didn’t provide loopholes or caveats.)

• He addressed adultery (sins of the flesh).   Just looking (with lust) is viewed by God as equivalent.  That is not a justification to commit the act, but Jesus illustrates the contrast between the accepted norms and God’s reality.  It is righteousness that exceeds!
• Making oaths, vows, and binding promises demands fulfillment.

He addressed the reality that vengeance is a ticket to hell.   Love must prevail, and going beyond is an example of righteousness that exceeds.  We are to look for ways to bless those who hate and try to harm you.  This reveals whether the heart is linked to God or ruled by self.

The reproach is rolled away as we follow the Ark!   We need to build memorials or memory triggers that remind us of what we have been delivered from and delivered to!   The Ark contains the Word that details the Promise and is a roadmap to victory!   We either follow the Ark or the impulses of the flesh. 

Remember the two pathways – One is life, the other is death, and there are no loopholes!  Victory is ours if we will follow the precepts of God!   

Make this a day of victory; that is what He has promised!