In the Army of the Lord

“He said, “No; rather I have come now as captain of the army of the Lord.” And Joshua fell on his face to the ground, and bowed down, and said to him, “What has my Lord to say to his servant?” Joshua 5:14

As Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a Man in front of him with His sword drawn. At first glance, we would think that Joshua would be gripped with fear and infer that the Man’s sword was drawn to engage Joshua in battle. Yet we read that Joshua went to the Man and asked Him a question. Although approaching the Man, Joshua still understood the Man’s stance as that of a warrior, so he asked if the Man was for the children of Israel or their adversaries. 
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The Man’s response was “No,” to confirm He was not for the Israelites nor their adversaries, and continued with a powerful statement, “but as a Commander of the army of the Lord, I have now come.” It was at that moment that Joshua understood who the Man was. As a result, Joshua fell on his face, worshipped, and asked, “What does my Lord say to His servant?” The Commander of the Lord’s army said just what was spoken to Moses at the burning bush, that Joshua was to remove his sandal because where he stood was holy, and Joshua did as He commanded.

​It's an interesting passage because we can imagine that Joshua, in command of the Israelite army, had his mind on the upcoming battle against the Israelite adversary on their way to the Promised Land. We can imagine that he may have been thinking of how and where his men would stand, who would be on the front line, and what strategies their adversaries might have. He might have initially thought that the Man standing before him had heard about how the Lord was with the Israelites and was coming to help, or that He was observing him or his army to report to his adversaries. During the encounter, Joshua did not cower, for he knew the promise from the Lord to be strong and very courageous and not to fear, for God would be with him wherever he went. We know from Joshua’s quick change in position that whatever was on Joshua’s mind quickly dissolved as he humbly acknowledged the Commander of the army of the Lord in reverence.

We can learn from Joshua’s confidence as he faced an unknown Man and what appeared to be a potential threat. We can agree that if we look up and see someone standing in front of us with a sword drawn in hand, it would appear as a threat. When Joshua saw the Man, he undoubtedly reflected on God’s promise to be with him wherever he went and that he was commanded to be strong and courageous. Joshua knew that the Lord, who had commissioned him, was giving the Israelites the victory over their adversaries, and they would possess the Promised Land. Joshua also knew that he, as leader of the Israelites, was ultimately also in the army of the Lord. Joshua’s response admirably showed us that we are to ask, “What has my Lord to say to his servant?” We can know the Lord's will through prayer and as we read His word. During prayer and studying Scriptures, God will show us His will, which is always in accordance with His character and nature, and is always consistent throughout the Scriptures.

We can also learn from the Commander of the army of the Lord in His response to Joshua’s question. His firm answer of “No” indicated that He was for neither Joshua nor his adversaries, but He was for the Lord. We are often asked to take sides in an issue and to make a stand for one position or another. Our attitude, response, and stance should reflect that we are for the Lord, because we too are in the army of the Lord. Today, remember you are in the army of the Lord. As a soldier of the Lord, He will fulfill His purposes in your life as He is consistent with His holiness.