“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 with his sword drawn in his hand.” Joshua 5:13
Many are the examples in the Word of God of men, and women, who were soldiers. If we look at the spirit of the soldier, we need begin looking at Abraham, who rose up, and with three hundred and eighteen men, trained in his household, pursued four kings who had conquered Sodom where Lot, Abraham’s nephew lived. Lot and his family were taken captive, and there was no one who could save him but Abraham. Abraham was confederate with three others at the time, and they rose up to pursue the enemy. After dividing his servants by night, Abraham, and those with him, struck their enemies, killing their leaders, then, pursued until Lot was rescued, and all that belonged to him returned. That which distinguishes Abraham at this point among all those who participated in this effort, was the fact, that Abraham was a man of faith. There is no doubt that his boldness, strength, endurance, wisdom, and success was due to the God in whom he trusted. This is why Melchizedek, king of Salem, and also the priest of the Most High God, blessed Abraham, declaring: “Blessed be Abram of the most High God, possessor of heaven and earth: and blessed be the most High God, WHICH HATH DELIVERED thine enemies into thy hand.” (Gen. 14:20) Abraham would then give tithes to God, refusing to take any share of the spoil for himself. Abraham had the heart of a soldier, for he was ready, and committed, to fight an enemy to save the lives of those for whom he was responsible. He was a successful soldier because He trusted wholly in God, believing Him for the victory, and this, beyond the confederacy with men who were faithful, and committed, to him.
We now go to Joshua, seeking to discover what charactizes a soldier, in some way, what makes a great soldier. We do not know at what age Joshua entered into the service of Moses, but we find him being chosen by Moses to gather a group of men to fight Amalek, the enemy of Israel, who had attacked the people. There is no evidence of hesitancy by Joshua. Why? Perhaps it is because Joshua knew that God had promised to be with them, and that if intercession was made by Moses and the people, he would be victorious. From the very beginning of the calling of God to Joshua to BE a soldier, Joshua understood that the true battle was not what was being faced in the physical world, but that which would be waged in the spiritual one. Moses had told Joshua that he would stand on the top of the hill, with the rod of God in his hand. His intercession, stance of faith in the power and authority of God, would be effective for Joshua’s men as long as the rod was held up. Being weary after a certain time, it would be necessary for two of Moses’ servants to support his hands, holding the rod. The result was that Joshua and his men vanquished Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. Joshua, the soldier, just had a first-hand lesson concerning the spiritual warfare in which he now found himself. However, he did not flee, nor fail, for he was committed to believing the God of Moses, to truly honor His word of truth. Joshua became a spiritual soldier in a spiritual conflict, one where God was sovereign, but where faith was essential for His victorious intervention to be seen.
As time passed, the issue of the faith of the soldier would become increasingly clear, especially when Joshua would be called to replace Moses, in order to lead the people into the promised land. At this time God would command Joshua to BE a soldier in a very specific way: Be strong, Be courageous, Fear not, Be not dismayed.
Dear Father, Make us true soldiers. In Jesus’ name, Amen.