What does my lord say to his servant? – Joshua 5:14
Israel just got to the Promised Land -- a forty year trip that even Moses didn’t get to finish, but Joshua does. He’s scared but ordered to be strong and courageous. He is, they go in and the people “stood in awe of him just as they had stood in awe of Moses.” He’s the man.
This is only the beginning. There’s a land to possess and a condemned people to displace and execute. This means battles and fighting. But God has given promises and directions and encouragement, and Joshua has proven himself and the people are behind him. Jericho is intimidating but all the pieces for success are in place.
But who’s this guy? Holding a sword like he’s ready to fight? Joshua, as commander, goes to him as if to say what are you doing here, dude? Joshua asks whose side he’s on. The man says neither, “but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.”
The real boss has just shown up. He’s not a spectator. He’s not an ally. He’s not in heaven giving orders and then watching. The general in charge is on the scene. And he’s about to give some battle plans that no general would ever give and that will never be forgotten. Joshua is suddenly put in his place and wants to know those plans and what the real commander has to say to “his servant.”
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. – Joshua 5:15
I’m all the time thinking when God gives me a vision and guidance and uses me to carry something out, that the main issue then is to seek his direction and depend on his power. I rarely think he’s on the scene and in charge and should be worshipped first and we’ll get to the specifics about what to do next later.
Comments