When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. – Joshua 5:13
According to those who study biblical archaeology, Joshua and the Israelites crossing into the land of Canaan occurred around 2350 B.C., at the end of the early Bronze Age. By this time, metal workers who specialized in weaponry had advanced from daggers to swords of substantial length. Blades were often engraved, and hilts were highly decorated. Put yourself in the shoes of Joshua as he looked heavenward and saw a man with a drawn sword. Based on who this was, “the commander of the army of the Lord,” you would imagine that the sword he held was beyond anything Joshua had ever seen—a sword made in Heaven.
More important than the sword, which was out of its sheath, ready for action, was who this being was. God had already told Joshua to “be strong and of good courage” and that “the Lord your God is with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9). Now he was coming face to face with this commander. While some think it was a high-ranking angel, many believe it was another appearance of Jesus before His incarnation. An essential proof of this is that this Commander did not rebuke Joshua for worshipping Him
Theologian Matthew Henry says, “We have reason to think that this man was the Son of God, the eternal Word, who, before he assumed the human nature for a perpetuity, frequently appeared in a human shape. … Christ’s sword drawn in his hand denotes how ready he is for the defense and salvation of his people.” Later, Jesus will say, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10:34).
Today, you can know that the Lord is with you and that, whatever battle you face, you are not alone. Pastor and author David Platt says, “Just as Joshua hears the Commander say, ‘You are on holy ground,’ we are always on holy ground when following God.” He also reminds you that, “You are second in command, and He is sovereign overall. He is lord.” It is your responsibility, then, to ask as Joshua did, what the Lord wants you to do. Whatever it is and wherever He leads, know that He is with you to encourage you and to defend you. Move ahead in strength and courage. Pray that the incoming administration will seek the Lord’s guidance as they advance their agenda.
Today’s Verse: Joshua 5:13
When Joshua was at Jericho, he looked up and saw a man was standing right there in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went to him and said, “Are you one of us or one of our enemies?”
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Joshua 5:13-15
When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” 14 And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?” 15 And the commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
