Joshua 5:10-15 | The Commander We Need

Now it came about when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing opposite him with his sword drawn in his hand, and Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us or for our adversaries?”

He said, “No; rather I indeed come now as captain of the host of the Lord.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and bowed down, and said to him, “What has my lord to say to his servant?”

The captain of the Lord’s host said to Joshua, “Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so. (Joshua 5:13-15)

Joshua was standing "by Jericho." This was the very place where he had stood 40 years early that caused the hearts of his fellow spies to faint in unbelief and abort their trip into the land God had promised. Here today, Joshua stands, and, just like Moses before him at the burning bush, a greater Commander appears.

This was Jesus, appearing as he often did in the Old Testament, in human, yet divine form. We know this because Joshua bowed to worship Him, and the Lord did not object. In fact, he encouraged this worship by telling him to remove his shoes.

His sword is drawn, indicating the position of the utmost strength and readiness to accomplish victory. Joshua was the General, but now He stands in the presence of the Commander-in-Chief. A curious Joshua asks two questions.

Are you for us or for our adversaries?

The Lord responds by answering (in essence), "I have not come to take sides, but to take OVER!" He’s telling Joshua who He is and why He’s come.

What has my Lord to say to his servant?

Joshua assumes, immediately, the position of servanthood to Christ. This is the posture we should take if we are to be led by the Commander.

In the next verses, the Lord gives the bizarre strategic plan for Jericho, the only plan that would work, which showed Joshua and the people that God's ways are higher than our ways. If they will simply listen to the Commander, His drawn sword will accomplish what nothing else can do.

It is the same for us today. The Lord fights on behalf of those who worship him. We must prepare as Joshua prepared, we must worship as Joshua worshiped, and we must lead as Joshua led in strict obedience to the Commander's battle plans, as humanly illogical as they may sound.

Father, thank You that You stand to help any who will trust in You. Your sword is almighty, Lord, and Your plans are perfect. Help us to trust You today and follow Your lead!