Assured Victory

Commander of the army of the Lord…Joshua 5:14

Chapter 5 reveals the end of manna and the beginning of war. The manna ended when they ate the produce of the land, verse 12. In the land, they celebrated Passover on the fourteenth day of the month as they were instructed to do, verse 10. Then they came to Jericho, verse 13. On their way, Joshua met the commander of the army of the Lord.

And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, “Are You for us or for our adversaries?” So, He said, “No, but as Commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.” Verses 13-14. Who did Joshua just meet?

Joshua fell on his fact to earth and worshiped, and said to Him, ‘What does my Lord say to His servant?’” The Commander of the LORD’s army said to Joshua, “Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy.” And Joshua did. Verses 14 and 15.

Who is the Commander of the LORD’s army? Who gave Joshua victory over Jericho? Who did Joshua rescue from Jericho? Who survived the battle of Jericho? Jericho was only one of many victories in the land.

All because God had told Moses earlier, when you go out to battle against your enemies, do not be afraid of them, for the LORD your God is with you, Deuteronomy 20, verse 1. And He did. God kept His promise. For the Commander of the LORD’s army went before the people to reclaim the land. 

Could this happen again? Could the Commander of the LORD’s army go before us today? Are we alone in this battle? Or, do we like Joshua, take the victory of Jesus into battle? 

Having put on the full armor of God, let us stand. For God is with us. We are in this together. Together with Christ, the Lord of lords, the King of kings. Perhaps even the Commander of the LORD’s army. We have been assured of victory.