“And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand.” Joshua 5:13
Whether in service or worship, the God who has called us in His faithfulness to fellowship with Him, and the Lord Jesus Christ, is faithful to provide for every need, spiritually and physically. In the example given to us in the book of Joshua concerning the man with the drawn sword, we find upon careful observation, that this was none other than the Lord Jesus Himself. How do we know this? First of all, He identifies himself as the “Captain of the host of the Lord.” We might think that he is just referring to the rank of Captain, being applied only to the order of authority given to him, that of being the leader, and commander, of the Lord’s host. However, upon further examination we find in the reaction of Joshua to this revelation, that he fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said to him, ‘What saith my lord unto his servant?” Though overwhelmed by the vision of this man, nowhere in Scripture does God allow His angels to be worshipped in the place of God. There is only One who is worthy of worship, and in this case, He does not refuse it or condemn it. It is the Lord Jesus. The fact that He is the Captain of the army of the Lord reveals to us a supremacy in power and authority that only the Son of God could have. Thus, this “Man” before Joshua is Christ Himself. It is very important to understand several things here, especially as they apply to Joshua, where he is, and concerning that which God has called him to do.
First, He reveals Himself as supreme in power and authority over an army, the very army of heaven. The sword that He is wielding is symbolic of this. Secondly, Christ reveals Himself as a Warrior, the supreme Warrior in every facet and faculty of His Being. He is perfect, and overwhelmingly powerful. Thirdly, this conflict that God has called Joshua to engage is one that is primarily spiritual. Though Joshua will be facing a defiant physical enemy behind the walls of Jericho, there exists and invisible beech head of spiritual resistance, a citadel of power and defiance that is well established there, to stop the penetration of the people of Israel into the land of promise. Joshua, and the people, even with all of their numbers and courage, cannot overcome such forces, for they are empowered by Satan himself. The term, “the iniquity of the Amorites,” which God gave to Abraham, explaining the condition of the people of Canaan at the time of Israel’s conquest, reveals just how deep was the control of the enemy over the people. There was no place for the penetration of God’s light and truth in their hearts. Even the unmistakable miracles of God, could not persuade them or move them to be receptive. Only Rahab and her family would eventually be saved.
The last very important point which must be understood and grasped is that this Captain did not come only to do battle, and to engage the enemy. He came to conquer the enemy, to win the battle, and to destroy the works of the devil. In doing so, He would set before Joshua and the people a pattern for their faith, which would apply to every battle and the possession of all the territory they would be willing to take. The pattern was this: The recognition of the Absolute Captain, who alone has the power and authority to give the victory, “wherever” their feet should tread, no man being able to withstand them. Then there would be the absolute, and utter, submission to, and faith in, this Captain. It would only be as Joshua and the people remained under the authority of the Captain, of Christ Himself, that His power and authority would work in their behalf.
Dear Father, We praise Thee that Christ is our Captain and Conqueror, worthy to be wholly followed. In Jesus’ name, Amen.