Danny Hickman Supporter Believer in The Gospel Of Jesus Christ

The question Joshua asked the man was, essentially, 'Whose side are you on, ours or theirs' (the enemy)? He saw the sword the man was carrying so he asked him that question. It seemed evident to Joshua that the man was prepared to fight. (Joshua 5:13-15). 

The man's answer was very telling. What he didn't say spoke loudly! He didn't say, 'Neither of you.' His answer was, "No; but I'm the commander of the army of the Lord." (I'll say what I get from this "bad news, good news" answer). He's saying, 'I ain't here to fight; I take this sword with me at all times, but I didn't come to get involved with this fight on a physical basis.' 

Since he told Joshua he was sent by the Lord, Joshua fell on his face in worship. At first glance, this is a very short narrative, but it isn't as short as it might appear. 

First, Joshua didn't assume anything; he asked. His next question, asked after he was told that the messenger wasn't there to aid in the battle was, 'What is the word from the Lord?' He knew then that the Lord had sent instructions on how to approach this situation. The messenger said the same to Joshua that the Lord God had said to Moses when He was getting Moses ready to challenge the Pharaoh of Egypt, over forty years prior. He said, "Take your shoes off; the ground you're standing on is holy."

Chapter 6 begins by describing the situation; Jericho was in 'Katy Bar The Door' mode. Israel was getting ready to do a 'smash and grab.' 

(Joshua 6:2) And the Lord said to Joshua, "See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor."

The chapter changed after the messenger told Joshua to take his shoes off. But I think vs 2 of chapter six is a continuation of the encounter between Joshua and the man with the sword. (the new chapter creates a skip in the flow of the story). I believe he's delivering the message that God has for Joshua. He told Joshua what they were to do to take the city. Otherwise, the man with the sword came to get Joshua to worship before he goes into battle, and then nothing else is said about him. I believe he was the one telling Joshua God's plan; that was his main objective for being there. The sword in his hand got Joshua's attention. The word of his mouth gave Joshua and the Israelites the victory. 

The moral is, 'The Word is mightier than the sword.' (God's Word is a mighty sword!)

4 days ago • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College & Dallas Seminary graduate, Pentair

It seems to me that we should be asking, not whether God is on our side, but whether we are on God's side or not. He is sovereign. He's the Boss. What He wants is obedience, submission, and He so deserves it! Think of who He is and what He has done! Therefore, He can say to Joshua, "Take off your shoes, you are standing on holy ground" (heathen ground but holy because God was in this mission). The mission was to take down Jericho, and God would do it. With God we can do much but without God (Christ) we can do nothing. That's what Jesus said (John 15:5). -->

NLT
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

TLB
“Yes, I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in me and I in him shall produce a large crop of fruit. For apart from me you can’t do a thing.

2 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report