Joshua 5:10-15 - Commander of the army of the Lord

5:10-12

The Israelites celebrated the Passover. It is the release from captivity that enabled the nation to enter the Promised Land, it was a necessary, but not sufficient, condition for them being able to enter the Land. The day after they ate produce from the land. In the wilderness they had received manna from heaven. Now they were in a land that could provide food, so the manna stopped from that point on. God will provide miraculously when necessary, but the normal course of events is that He provides a land that can produce food, and we are to work that land and take from it.

5:13-15

The conquest of Jericho is about to begin. Having been circumcised the people are now ready, but first Joshua’s understanding of the situation is enhanced. He sees a man standing with a drawn sword. This was probably an angel, and angels often appeared as men. Joshua knows that a battle is about to ensue, and he wants to know if this warrior is for Israel or their enemies. The answer is “neither”. He is the commander of the army of the Lord. Joshua asks what message the Lord has for him. It may seem that he doesn’t get an answer, for all the angel says is that Joshua must take off his sandals for he is on holy ground. This is reminiscent of Moses and the burning bush. Joshua needs to understand that it is God’s plan that is being fulfilled, not Israel’s plan. We too need to appreciate this. God does bless us, but the primary purpose is not to bless us, but the fulfilment of God’s plans, the bringing of glory to His name.