RUSSELL SANDERS

10-24-2025

THE LIFE OF JOSHUA – LESSON 9

ENCAMPED AT GILGAL

Yesterday we spoke how Israel crossed the Jordan River into Canaan. The river had flooded, and this was the widest part of the river. God had held back all water to create a dry riverbed for the crossing.

Joshua had one man from each tribe take a large stone from the riverbed and carry them over to the dry land of Canaan to the site where they would camp the first night. He used the stones to build a monument for future generations to see in remembrance of this miraculous crossing.

The encampment was in the plain of Jericho. It was south of the city on the eastward side. Mountains were on the west side. Joshua named the location Gilgal, which means “crossing.” When the Canaanites heard of this crossing their hearts melted for fear.

Now that they were in the promised land of Canaan, it was time to keep the Law of Moses that God had given. Two significant events were to take place before they could advance past Gilgal. 

The first was circumcision. No circumcisions had taken place in the wilderness for those that were born there. God ordered all those males to be circumcised. This would be the men aged forty to the newborn.

The second was the keeping of Passover. They had arrived at Gilgal on the tenth day of the first month of the Biblical calendar. It was the day on which they must select a lamb to be prepared for Passover. The lamb was kept for three days, then on the 13^th of the month it would be slain and roasted outdoors over a fire. Then that evening, the 14^th day of the month, they ate the lamb. (Joshua 5:10). The following day (the 15^th) they observed the feast of Unleavened Bread (Joshua 5:11).

There is no evidence that these feasts were observed in the wilderness. We do not know for sure either way. Nevertheless, it is clear that Joshua was going to lead the nation in observance of all that God had commanded. Both his heart and his actions were righteous before Jehovah.

We also need to live righteously in thought and actions. Joshua set the right example, and so must we.

HELEN SANDERS

10-24-2025

THE SPIRIT OF THE LAODICEAN CHURCH

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The Church of Laodicea is mentioned  in the Book of Revelation. They had everything in the natural going for it. They had wealth. They were the makers of a very expense eye salve that was made and sold from their city. This had made them very rich.  The church was full of the wealthy, yet, despite all this worldly success, the church had a problem. 

In Revelation 3:15-17 Jesus is speaking and says, “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then, because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have NEED OF NOTHING; and knowest not that thou art WRETCHED, and MISERABLE, and POOR, and BLIND, and NAKED.” Riches in themselves are not evil if they are used to establish the kingdom of God. 

In Deuteronomy chapter 8 the Israelites were about to go into the promised land. Moses cautioned the people to observe the commandments of God. They would be coming into a land where they would receive flocks they had not tended, houses they had not built, and food they had not cultivated. God was providing them, like Laodicea, with everything they would need to enjoy life. 

After reminding the Israelites that God was the one that provided everything, he said in Deuteronomy 8:17-18 “17 …And thou say in thine heart, ‘My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. 18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may ESTA LISH HIS COVENANT which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.”

Moses further admonishes the Israelites in verses 19-20, “19 And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish.  20 As the nations which the LORD destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the LORD your God.”

This was not a suggestion to the Israelites. It was a warning. Likewise, it was a warning to the church at Laodicea. Jesus is on the outside of that church knocking, which means they had a form of religion, but no relationship with God. They were riding the fence, living the good life without acknowledging God. By the way, the Laodicean Church no longer exists. 

It is dangerous to even consider that anything we have been blessed with comes from our own works. Works do not get us into heaven. Only a surrendered life to Christ will guarantee living eternally with Jesus. Do not put your trust in things. They are temporary. Put your trust in God and never forget that He is the one that enabled us to have what we have, not ourselves.