SCRIPTURE: Joshua 5
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, ‘Are you for us or for our enemies?’ ‘Neither,’ he replied, “but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.’ [Joshua 5:13-14] The people of Canaan are afraid. But God makes it clear to the people of Israel that it’s not because they are so strong, but because they are submissive to Him. Circumcision, the Passover, the Manna, and the appearance of the commander of the Lord’s army all make this clear.
Who is this commander? My guess is that it is Jesus, making an appearance, reminding the people of Who is in charge. Jesus is the commander of the Lord’s army. Angels do not encourage people to bow down to them, whereas this being seems to encourage it [Revelation 22:8-9]. Jesus Himself seems to suggest that He has the angelic army at His disposal: Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?’ [Matthew 26:53].
A few things jump out at me. First, this commander was always there, just not always visible. He is behind Joshua and their armies, He is the reason for their power and success. Second, He is neither for or against Joshua; rather, He is for God. We cannot claim God on our side, we need to side ourselves with God. All of us, including those who claim to serve Him, can make the mistake of aligning God to our causes and concerns, rather than the other way around. Jesus could have called the legions of angels, but He didn’t because that was not God’s plan.
Following Jesus, and partnering with the church, is not about being forgiven, saved, and secured a place in heaven. Rather it is about being reconciled to God and His kingdom, joining with Him in His plan to restore His creation. His agenda is not to save us so much as it is to restore creation with us. When He calls us, He calls us to join Him in His mission, not just to be saved and go to heaven one day.
This Jesus asks us: are you for me or for my enemies. To which we must not answer “neither”, but “for You”.
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, You are the commander and I must decide whether to surrender to You and Your agenda or not. Help me to align myself to You!
Ok the whole circumcision thing struck me here. What kind of battle strategy is this to have the nation circumcised right before going into battle? (apparently they did not follow through with circumcision during the 40 years in the wilderness?).
Do we all remember Jacob’s sons Simeon and Levi and what they did to the men of Shechem when they had heard of their sister Dinah’s rape? They convinced the men of the city to be circumcised in order to marry the daughters of Israel. In their weakened state after the “snip, snip” Simeon and Levi went through the city and killed them all.
So, Joshua, as the new leader, do you think this is wise timing?
Of course it is, because it has nothing to do with Joshua’s leadership or with the strength of the men. It has everything to do with the power of Gods might – this is Gods holy war and He will provide the victory. This shows to me that it clarifies who indeed won the battle here – it was truely God’s!
“Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of Hosts” Zechariah 4:6
God provides. The manna came when the people needed it and stopped when they ate the fruit from the land. God knows my daily needs. He is also my Provider.
God also appeared to Joshua before they started to capture the land. God appears to His people to encourage, to provide for them what they needed. He was the commander of the army which was to exercise the ban. Joshua fell down because he was in His holy presence. And he must follow.
I too am in His holy presence and I too need to be His follower this day and every day because each day is the Lord’s day. I am always in His presence serving Him.
Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.