Week of March 22

“For not from the east or from the west and not from the wilderness comes lifting up, but it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another” (Psalm 75:6-7). We likely find comfort and calm when the Scriptures speak of God’s mercy and love, but become unsettled where God exercises judgment according to His sovereign will. The account of the commander of the Lord’s army provides us with a glimpse of how the Lord provided Joshua and Israel assurance of His presence and intent to help Israel conquer Jericho and the land of Canaan. This focal passage forms a prelude to the actual conquest of Jericho. I believe it holds important truth for us to consider, too.

The setting

We must not overlook the wider context of the entire chapter, where the emphasis is on holiness—circumcision, observance of the Passover, and the Divine messenger and holy ground. God was about to exercise judgment on Canaan. He chose to do this through His humble, holy people, so they needed to be spiritually equipped for God’s mission. Even though we are likely not leaving our homes to engage in a holy war today, we do well to learn from these encounters about how to serve God as His humble, holy people.

Spiritual readiness. The entire chapter shows us that the main concern facing Israel was to be spiritually prepared for the conflict (cf. Ephesians 6:10-17). Military readiness was not the primary consideration, so God sends His angel to prepare Israel for their immediate future. The heavenly messenger is called a “man,” as is the case with other angelic visitations in the Old Testament (5:13). First, God expects us to give Him our undivided loyalties and our holiness (cf. Leviticus 19:2; 1 Peter 1:16; NAC). We should notice that the commander of God’s army meets with the commander of Israel’s army, but there is no mistaking who will lead both armies into battle! Secondly, God must be the Leader, or the battle will be lost.

Standing on God’s side. It comes as no surprise to me that Joshua wants to know if the man who stands before him with a drawn sword is a friend or foe. The sword is a sign of war and judgment, so Joshua would naturally be curious as to the man’s intent. What may have been surprising to Joshua is that Israel was preparing for battle, yet this person sneaks up on them (5:13; “behold”; NAC; EBC). He asks the obvious question as to whether the man could be counted on to stand with Israel in the upcoming conflict. It also should not surprise us that the question should never be, “Is God on our side?” We should ask whether we are on His side. The messenger does not answer Joshua’s question directly, but he states that he is the commander of the Lord’s army. This means that he was subordinate to the King, the Lord Himself. God was to be in command of this battle. As Francis Chan says, “God, interrupt whatever we are doing so that we can join You in what You’re doing.”

Fighting from our knees. Bible scholars are divided on whether the commander refers to Israel as his army (cf. Exodus 12:41; 1 Samuel 17:45) or to the realm of the heavenlies and God’s hosts there. The Lord of Hosts is used 250 times in the Old Testament. It makes sense, considering all that transpires in Joshua 6, that the reference is to God’s heavenly hosts (NAC). This was a divine being on a divine mission, and once Joshua recognized this man’s authority, he prostrates himself on the ground and worshiped.

Joshua teaches us how we may be victorious over insurmountable obstacles and trials. First, he humbles himself before the Lord’s messenger (cf. Matthew 5:3). He bows before the man with a sword, indicating that he knew what he was up against. It has always been somewhat humorous to me that frail and finite humans emblazon t-shirts with the words, “No Fear.” Yet, when it comes to serving the Lord, our t-shirts need to have stamped upon them, “Fear Him.” Joshua places himself in a position of subjection (cf. Ephesians 5:21). Secondly, Joshua, who had just been made great in the eyes of Israel (chapter 4:14), now shows that he remains God’s servant (5:14, “servant”). Joshua learned, as Moses had learned before him (Exodus 3:15), that the best way to stand tall before the people he leads is to bow low before the Lord.

One of my childhood superheroes was Superman. I eagerly anticipated watching a show about him each Saturday on television. Trouble would arrive, and the mild-mannered newsman, Clark Kent, would step inside a phone booth and soon emerge as the “Man of Steel.” Superman would save the day and protect “truth, justice, and the American way.” It comes to mind now that the humble newsman was also the self-effacing superhero. They were one and the same. 

Here is a spiritual reminder. Joshua the warrior leader was preeminently the servant leader because of his complete trust in God. God delivered Joshua and Israel through holiness, not haughtiness. “For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation” (Psalm 149:4). Lesson learned.

1. We sing, “Holiness is what I long for; holiness is what I need.” Notice that holiness is a result of total loyalty and dedication of oneself to the Lord (Joshua 5:9). What attitudes and actions will you give to God to change in order to be useful to Him?

2. For Families: Here is the worship song mentioned above. Offer this song as your family’s breakfast prayer each morning this next week. Share with your family that God is seeking followers who will humbly bow their hearts and will to His each day. Then pray together that God will make of you a holy household, like Joshua’s. He said, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!” (Joshua 24:15).

Follow this link to hear the song and sing along with the lyrics: Holiness is What I Long For.

May your paths be straight,
Larry C. Ashlock