Gilgal: Where God Begins to Exalt You (The Joshua Dimension)
- Bukola aanuskincare@gmail.com
- Sep 2
- 6 min read
Anchor Texts
Promise: “Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel…” - Joshua 3:7(Heb. אָחֵל achel, “I will begin”; לְגַדֶּלְךָ legaddekha, “to exalt/magnify you”
Fulfilment: “On that day the LORD exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they revered him, as they had revered Moses, all the days of his life.” - Joshua 4:14(Heb. וַיְגַדֵּל יְהוָה vaygaddel YHWH, “the LORD magnified/exalted”)
Let's Frame it clearly: Chapter 3 gives the word of exaltation; Chapter 4 records the work of exaltation. The hinge between them is obedience under Presence.
I have been journeying with The Lord through the 12 stages of Israel's exodus to Jericho. However, as I began to study on the fall of the walls of Jericho, I entered into a new realm, which I'd like to term The Joshua Dimension.
When Joshua led Israel to the edge of the Jordan, he was standing in the shadow of Moses’ leadership. How do you follow a man who split the Red Sea, brought down manna, and spoke with God face-to-face? The people respected Joshua, yes - but reverence? That still belonged to Moses. And yet, in that exact moment, God spoke:
“Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses.” (Joshua 3:7)
This is the power of Gilgal. It’s not just the place where God rolls away reproach, it’s the place where God begins to exalt you.
The Process of Exaltation
Notice God didn’t say, “Today I will exalt you fully.” He said, “I will begin to exalt you.”
Exaltation is a process. It starts with a word, it grows through obedience, and it becomes visible in time.
In Joshua 3, Joshua received the promise: “I will begin to exalt you.”
In Joshua 4:14, we read the fulfilment: “That day the Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel, and they revered him as they had revered Moses.”
Between the word and the fulfilment was obedience: stepping into the Jordan, holding position until all passed, and raising memorial stones at Gilgal.
That’s how God exalts His leaders, not through striving, but through obedience that He publicly confirms.
A. Word (3:7): Heaven initiates
God names a day (“this day”) and a process (“I will begin”). Exaltation is God’s project, not Joshua’s campaign.
B. Way (3:8–13): Presence-led instructions
Priests carry the Ark (Presence first), stand in a flooded river, and hold position. Leadership is validated in the waters, not the comfort zone.
C. Waters (3:14–17): Miraculous endorsement
The Jordan halts; Israel crosses on dry ground. This is God placing His “Amen” on Joshua’s voice.
D. Witness (4:1–9): Memorial stones
Twelve stones are lifted from the riverbed and set at Gilgal. Authority consolidates when memory is institutionalized.
E. Weight (4:10–13): Priestly endurance
Priests stand until all pass. Exaltation includes intercessory stamina, leaders hold space for the people.
F. Witness (4:14): Public recognition
“The LORD exalted Joshua… and they revered him…” People see God’s witness, so they grant trust.
Summary: Word → Way → Waters → Witness → Weight → Withness → (Ongoing) Work. God starts exalting in 3:7; He shows it in 4:14; He sustains it through the rest of Joshua.
The Theology of “Begin”: Exaltation is Progressive
“I will begin” (3:7) rejects the myth of instant enthronement. God initiates a process that unfolds through Jericho, Ai, the southern & northern coalitions, and the apportioning of land.
Leaders are enlarged by obedience cycles. Each cycle (instruction → risk → miracle → memorial) adds weight to the mantle.
Pastoral point: If you only have the word (3:7) but not yet the visibility (4:14), you are not late—you’re mid-process.
KNOW THAT:
Exaltation is for Recognition, not Ego
The exaltation wasn’t so Joshua could boast. It was so Israel could trust his leadership under God.
Lesson: True exaltation is functional. It enables people to follow God’s order.
Exaltation is Linked to Presence
The exaltation was a continuation of God’s presence - “As I was with Moses, I’ll be with you.”
Joshua’s leadership was validated because Presence was with him.
Lesson: What exalts you sustainably is not charisma or skill, but God’s Presence.
The “This Day” Principle
There is always a “this day” moment in destiny, when what God spoke privately is confirmed publicly.
Joshua’s “this day” was standing at Jordan, commanding priests to step in.
Lesson: “This day” moments usually come when you take faith-risks in obedience.
Why Chapter 4 Matters for Exaltation
A. Memorials Cement Authority
Gilgal’s stones aren’t souvenirs, they are governance objects. They catechize the next generation and stabilize trust: “He led us across.”
B. People Need to See
“In the sight of all Israel” appears in both 3:7 and 4:14. Exaltation is public because leadership requires corporate confidence.
C. Reverence (not celebrity)
“They feared/revered him” = they recognized God’s hand, as with Moses. This is holy respect, not hype
D. The Distance (3:4) Made the Leader Visible
The 2,000-cubit space around the Ark ensured clarity of direction. Reverent distance preserved clear leadership sightlines.
Favor | Strength | Horn (Anointing & Power) - The Fourfold Lift
Favor - the aura of divine endorsement
“By Your favor our horn is exalted.” (Ps 89:17)
Favor isn’t convenience; it’s credibility others discern. It opens doors for the mission, not for vanity.
Strength - stamina for stewardship
“Those who wait on the LORD will renew their strength.” (Isa 40:31)
God moved Joshua from wilderness coping to Canaan stewardship. Exaltation includes a capacity upgrade.
Horn - authority + fresh oil
“My horn You exalt… I am anointed with fresh oil.” (Ps 92:10)
The horn symbolizes kingly dominion and prophetic potency. At Gilgal, God didn’t just cheer Joshua; He armed him.
Establishing Work - visible durability
“Establish the work of our hands.” (Ps 90:17)
Exaltation shows up in established outcomes (campaigns won, land fairly allotted, covenant renewed).
Integration: In 3-4 God begins the lift; in the remaining chapters God builds the lift (favor → strength → horn → established work).
Contrast Case: Saul at Gilgal (1 Sam 13; 15)
Same place, different outcome. Saul sought visibility without obedience; he substituted sacrifice for submission.
Verdict at Gilgal: “To obey is better than sacrifice.” (1 Sam 15:22)
Lesson: The site doesn’t exalt you, obedience does. Gilgal magnifies whatever you bring to it: surrender or self.
How to Walk Your Joshua 3:7 to 4:14 Arc
Receive the Word (3:7): Name your “this day.” Write the promise plainly.
Follow the Presence (3:8–13): Let the Ark set pace; don’t outplan the Spirit.
Step into Waters (3:14–17): Move before it’s “safe.” Authority is proven in rivers.
Raise Memorials (4:1–9): Journal, testify, and build memory objects.
Hold the Middle (4:10–13): Intercede until everyone crosses. Leaders wait last.
Accept Public Confirmation (4:14): Don’t dodge visibility when God grants it.
Return to Gilgal Rhythm: After victories, circle back to consecration (Josh 10:6, 15, 43).
What This Means for You
Maybe you’ve been hidden, overlooked, or living in the “Moses shadow” of someone else’s story. Gilgal is the place where God begins to exalt you.
It may not be instant, but it will be undeniable.
It may not look like a platform, but it will look like God’s presence marking your obedience.
It may not happen all at once, but the process has begun.
When God exalts, it’s not about ego. It’s about others recognizing that God is with you.
Prophetic Applications (for this season)
If you have the word (3:7): Don’t force the stage; force your steps into the water.
If you’re mid-crossing (3:17): Keep standing. Your endurance is part of the exaltation.
If you see memorials forming (4:8–9): Start telling the story now; authority grows where testimony circulates.
If visibility arrives (4:14): Wear it lightly but work it faithfully; let reverence serve the mission.
Prayer
Father, thank You that You, not people, are the lifter of my head. As You spoke to Joshua, speak to me: mark this day as the beginning of Your exaltation process. Teach me to follow Your Presence, to step into waters, and to hold ground for others. Raise memorials from my crossings. Let Your favor, strength, and fresh oil exalt my horn, so it is known that You are with me, and Your name is honored through the work You establish.
Declarations
God begins and sustains my exaltation; I refuse self-promotion.
I follow the Ark; my feet step into rivers; the waters part.
Favor surrounds me; strength renews me; my horn is lifted with fresh oil.
The Lord establishes the work of my hands; my authority serves His people.
What He began in promise (3:7), He manifests in public (4:14).
If this word has spoken to you, I’d love to hear from you. Share your reflections in the comments, or share the exaltation testimonies you are discerning in your own journey.
If it encouraged you, please like, share, or send it to someone who needs this reminder today.
And if you’d like to explore these themes more deeply for your life, work, or leadership journey, feel free to get in touch with me through Transformative Co. I’d be honored to walk alongside you.
Amen. It is all God. He will finish what He started in me and my marriage and family. His promises will manifest in every area of my life as He perfects all that concerns me in Jesus name. Amen