Rolled Away

I've been reading through the Old Testament. Quite slowly, actually. I am enjoying how much of Jesus there is. It is rich and full. I love seeing how all the promises of God have their "yes" in Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 1:20)

And the LORD said to Joshua, "Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you."

A little word study, if you don't mind, and even if you do:) The Hebrew word for "rolled away" means to roll off, or away from anyone. Not too surprising.

The same word is used in Genesis 29:3 in reference to rolling a stone away from the mouth of a well.

Of course, these word are reminiscent of the stone being rolled away from the opening of Jesus' tomb. And (the women) found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Luke 24:2 (I love it that it was the women who discovered it first!)

I believe that the Lord rolling away the reproach of Egypt was a foreshadowing of what Jesus would do when the stone was rolled away from his tomb.

First, let's look at the word "reproach".

From the dictionary (I love my dictionary. I keep it right beside my Bible.)

v. to express disapproval or criticism.

n. 1. Blame; rebuke. 2. Disgrace; shame.

God rolled away the reproach of Egypt. (Rolled it right off, away from them - according to the Hebrew word) Egypt, for them, meant slavery and bondage, a dishonorable reputation in the history of their people, causing shame and disgrace among the nations. God was removing this from them as they entered into the land they were to inhabit. The kings of the Amorites and the Canaanites had heard that God had dried up the waters of the Jordan river so the Israelites could cross over it, and "their hearts melted and there was no longer any spirit in them". They were afraid. God changed the status of the Israelites, in the eyes of the nations, and in his own as well.

This, I believe, is exactly what God did for us when he rolled away the tombstone from Jesus' grave. I believe God's use of a stone laid across the entrance to Jesus' tomb was intentional. Listen to this: (this is fantastic!) "And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him..." Colossians 1:21-22a

We were once in slavery to sin, alienated from God, hostile to him in our thinking and rebellious toward him with our actions. We deserved blame, disapproval, criticism, shame and rebuking. But all that, like the stone in front of the tomb, through the death and resurrection of Jesus, has been rolled away. You, dear sister, if you are a Christian, are above reproach, holy, and blameless. Did you hear that? Blameless. There is no more reason for God to express to you disapproval or criticism. He does not rebuke you, and there is no more reason to walk in shame or disgrace. It's all forgiven. He holds nothing against you, but holds you in high esteem.

This may sound a little too bold, but I think our whole thing with insecurity could be rolled away (I used those words intentionally) if you and I personally believed this deep down and lived as if it were true, which it totally is. I really believe that like the nations who were waiting to be annihilated by the Israelites were melting in fear, so does the enemy who recognizes a Christian who knows her God, what he has made her, the authority he's given her, and the standing she has in his sight. Blame, rebuking, criticism and disapproval DO NOT come from God. Our enemy is a master at using these things to keep us back "in Egypt".

Today, I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you. - God, to the Israelites

Today, because you have been reconciled to me by the death of my son, you are holy, blameless and above reproach. - God, to you.