“And the Lord said unto Joshua, ‘See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valor.'” Joshua 6:2
Dear Ones:
It is a remarkable revelation to Joshua, the successor of Moses, who, facing the walls of resistance and defiance by the walls of Jericho, is confronted with “…the captain of the host of the Lord.” (5:14) There are several things that must be noted by the appearance of this “captain.” First, we find him “over against” Joshua, standing in such a way that his presence is dominant, commanding his attention. It is then by the declaration of who he is, that he reveals something of his power and authority. The fact that this “captain” has a drawn sword reveals that he has come to do battle. It is a very serious moment. Perhaps that which is most significant is the reaction of Joshua, because in his address to the “captain,” he calls him his Lord, and he, His servant. Joshua had fallen on his face to the earth to worship this “captain.” The “captain” does not rebuke him for doing this, thus revealing that He is the Lord Jesus, the King and Conqueror. We might find it strange that the Lord would reveal Himself in this matter, but we need to remember that Christ is not only the Savior, and Redeemer, but the Lion of the tribe of Juda, who has overcome every spiritual enemy. He is that One who will one day return upon a white horse in His glory, to “…judge and make war.” (Rev. 19:11) Even in the book of Isaiah, we catch a glimpse of this victorious Warrior, Christ: “The Lord shall go forth as a mighty man, He shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: He shall cry, yea, roar; He shall prevail against His enemies.” (42:13)
Another thing must be noted about the revelation, and manifestation, of this “Captain of the Lord of hosts,” is that it came at exactly the right, and precise moment. Joshua and the people had consecrated themselves to God, committing themselves to follow Christ, God, obeying all the commandments. They had “sanctified” Christ in their hearts, setting Him apart as their Lord and their God. At Gilgal, God set them free from the reproach of all that concerned Egypt, and their past. That which mattered now was going forward, following their Captain. Christ’s coming as Joshua’s “Captain,” and that of the people, is significant in that He reveals to all that the conquering of Canaan is primarily a spiritual matter, one where nothing else but the intervention of God will result in victory and success. Since the “iniquity of the Amorites” had now become full, and there was very little to no opening for the reception of the knowledge of God, of Christ, in Canaan, the spiritual control by the enemy of the souls of men, was profound and solidly established. Only the power and the authority of God could dislodge, put the flight, and destroy the powers of darkness that resisted the advancement of Israel in their possession of the land of promise. The physical walls of Jericho stood as a defiant symbol of resistance by the powers of darkness. Flesh and blood could in no wise breach those walls. Only by the power and authority of the “Captain” could Jericho be conquered.
One last important point about the revelation of this Captain at this particular point in time, is revealed in His words to Joshua. They resemble very closely those words which He had spoken to Moses many years before. The Captain said to Joshua: “Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy.” (5:15) Why did He say this, even commanding Joshua to do so? The work of God is a holy work, one that is accomplished by Him alone. The call of God to man is for him to see this, believe it, and rely wholly upon His presence and direction. The promise is that God will prosper His servants, and grant them success…but only for His glory and honor.
Dear Father, Give us to see, worship, and follow today, our victorious Captain. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad