Joshua 5

The Lord God exalted Joshua in the eyes of Israel through a great miracle at the Jordan River. Through that same sign, He caused the kings of the Canaanites to take notice regarding the nation of Israel, and they were afraid.

This was a new beginning for Israel, and they consecrated themselves before the Lord. Joshua circumcised the conquest generation. The wilderness generation was gone. The life of Israel in Egypt was a thing of the past.

After this sacrament of covenant initiation, the people celebrated the Passover in the promised land, and they ate the food of a new world. The daily provision of manna ceased. God would provide for His people in a new way.

At this critical moment of new beginning, Joshua met a Man who identified Himself as “the Commander of the army of the Lord.” He was confronted and humbled by this Man who held a drawn sword in His hand.

Joshua met the One who was the visible manifestation of the invisible God. He met the eternal Son of God. When He came to take on our woes, this Commander was given Joshua's name.

Joshua asked Him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” His answer: “No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.”

God had His purposes through the conquest that would begin soon at Jericho. He had His purposes for Israel. But He is not a tribal God who is only the possession of one ethnic group. He is over all. He rightly seeks His own glory. He will have mercy on whom He has mercy.

As mysterious as this encounter was, Joshua interpreted it rightly. He fell on his face and worshiped, and then asked for orders.

The command of the Lord was reminiscent of the Word of God to Moses at the burning bush: “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.”

We serve today at the pleasure of Jesus, the Commander of the army of the Lord. He came once to die. He will come again to judge. His sword is in His hand. Who can stand before Him?

Today we put away all envy, malice, bitterness, and the sin that so easily entangles us. We consecrate ourselves before the Lord. We remember that He became the Passover Lamb for us. We humbly receive His Word, and offer ourselves to Him as His blood-bought servants. We worship Him, and we look for the fullness of His kingdom.