Kingdom Foreshadowed Part 15
At Keys Vineyard Church, we are presenting a series called ‘Kingdom Foreshadowed,’ which we post here on Online Bible Institute.
Our series is Kingdom Foreshadowed. Last week, we looked at Deuteronomy and talked about the Shema. This week, we will take a quick look at Joshua, and to help prepare for that, we will zoom in on a fascinating encounter that Joshua has in Joshua Chapter 5.
Joshua 5:13–15 (NIV)
13 Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” 14 “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?” 15 The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.
In Joshua 5:13-15, Joshua encounters a mysterious figure, a man with a drawn sword in hand. When Joshua asks if he is for the Israelites or their enemies, the man responds, “Neither, but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” This brief yet powerful interaction holds profound lessons about faith, courage, and trust in God.
At this point, the Israelites were preparing to take Jericho, a city fortified and seemingly impenetrable. The enormity of the task ahead was intimidating. They were in a foreign land, surrounded by enemies, and despite God’s promises, fear and doubt must have been palpable. Joshua’s encounter with the commander of God’s army comes at a critical moment, one where faith is being tested, and the outcome feels uncertain. It underscores the truth that victory is not achieved by human strength or strategy alone but by God’s power and presence.
First, this passage teaches the importance of faith over fear. Joshua, a seasoned warrior, might have been tempted to rely on military tactics or the strength of his army. Instead, the commander of the Lord’s army appears to remind Joshua that success depends on God’s plan and not on human efforts. This is a lesson in faith—trusting that God’s ways are higher than our own. Even when faced with an overwhelming task, Joshua is reminded that his role is not to fight by his might but to follow God’s lead. The challenge of Jericho is not about human conquest but about divine intervention.
Second, the encounter teaches courage rooted in God’s strength. The sight of the commander with a drawn sword signals that the battle belongs to the Lord, and He has already taken charge. Joshua’s response, bowing down and asking what message the Lord has, is a demonstration of reverence and humility. His courage comes from his submission to God’s authority, not his own bravery. In this context, courage is not the absence of fear but the acknowledgment that God is in control.
Finally, this passage emphasizes the need for reliance on God’s power, not human ability. Joshua removes his sandals in an act of reverence, recognizing that he is standing on holy ground. The message is clear: victory comes through surrender to God, not through human effort. This surrender is an expression of trust and dependence on the Almighty.
In essence, Joshua’s encounter with the commander of God’s army reminds him to trust in God’s strength and to be courageous in following His lead, even when the path ahead is daunting.
We will discuss all this and more this weekend at Keys Vineyard Church, so be sure to join us in person or online.
Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.