THE COMMANDER OF THE ARMY OF THE LORD - This commander could be an example of a theophany, a visible appearance of God Himself. The other possible identity of this commander is that he was an angel. Joshua’s bowing is seen as an act of reverence rather than worship. Those who favor the view that Joshua met God suggest that this was God the Son, a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ. Whether the commander of the Lord’s army was angelic or divine, it was God who communicated an important message to Joshua to prepare him for the upcoming battle. In Joshua 5:13–15 we read of Joshua’s conversation with the “commander of the army of the LORD.” This commander appeared to Joshua near Jericho, before that fateful battle. The personage held a sword and told Joshua that the place where he stood was holy ground. The person who appeared to Joshua was clearly a powerful being. We are told Joshua fell on his face and gave him reverence. Then, Joshua addresses the man using a Hebrew word that means “master” or “lord.” Joshua clearly had much respect for this being. Finally, the man tells Joshua to remove his sandals, “for the place where you are standing is holy.” Based on this information, there are only two possible identities for this person. First, this commander could be an example of a theophany, a visible appearance of God Himself. Those who favor the view that Joshua met an angel appeal to the fact that no one can see God and live.

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The Commander Of The Army Of The LORD

Who was the commander of the army of the LORD in Joshua 5:14?

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This commander could be an example of a theophany, a visible appearance of God Himself. The other possible identity of this commander is that he was an angel. Joshua’s bowing is seen as an act of reverence rather than worship. 

Those who favor the view that Joshua met God suggest that this was God the Son, a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ. Whether the commander of the Lord’s army was angelic or divine, it was God who communicated an important message to Joshua to prepare him for the upcoming battle.

Got Questions Ministries

 

In Joshua 5:13–15 we read of Joshua’s conversation with the “commander of the army of the LORD.”

This commander appeared to Joshua near Jericho, before that fateful battle.

The personage held a sword and told Joshua that the place where he stood was holy ground.

The person who appeared to Joshua was clearly a powerful being. We are told Joshua fell on his face and gave him reverence.

Then, Joshua addresses the man using a Hebrew word that means “master” or “lord.”

Joshua clearly had much respect for this being.

Finally, the man tells Joshua to remove his sandals, “for the place where you are standing is holy.”

Based on this information, there are only two possible identities for this person.

First, this commander could be an example of a theophany, a visible appearance of God Himself.

Supporting this view is the fact that Joshua was to take off his sandals similar to how Moses did at the burning bush when he met God (Exodus 3:5).

The other possible identity of this commander is that he was an angel.

This theory notes that the being identifies himself as the “commander” of the Lord’s army, not as the Lord Himself.

In this view, Joshua’s bowing is seen as an act of reverence rather than worship.

Joshua’s address of the commander as “lord” could be a general term of respect.

Those who favor the view that Joshua met an angel appeal to the fact that no one can see God and live (Exodus 33:20).

Those who favor the view that Joshua met God suggest that this was God the Son, a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ.

Whether the commander of the Lord’s army was angelic or divine, it was God who communicated an important message to Joshua to prepare him for the upcoming battle.

Got Questions Ministries seeks to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by providing biblical, applicable, and timely answers to spiritually related questions through an internet presence.
GotQuestions.org is a ministry of dedicated and trained servants who have a desire to assist others in their understanding of God, Scripture, salvation, and other spiritual topics. We are Christian, Protestant, evangelical, theologically conservative, and non-denominational. We view ourselves as a para-church ministry, coming alongside the church to help people find answers to their spiritually related questions.

https://www.gotquestions.org/commander-army-Lord.html

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GOD IS FOR YOU - God is not out to take sides, but He sends His angels to accomplish His will in our lives and in the lives of those around us. Pray about what is God’s will for your life and understand that God does not have anything against you. Whether you see it or not, the Bible says that the “Father is always at His work” - God is working on your behalf. His will is to bless you and to set you free from the lies of the enemy. His will is for you to grow in Him and be the person that He has created you to be. Meditate on the fact that you are loved by God and that He is for you to accomplish His will in your life. “Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.” - Jesus never promised that life would be easy. On the contrary, Jesus said that we would have trials. At times, our difficulties make us question our relationships, our feelings about ourselves and others, and if God is truly concerned about our situation. It may appear like God is not present and if He is, that He is not tuned in to our cry for help. Our problems persist and our relationships suffer. But know this, whether we go through financial struggles, physical or emotional problems, God is near to us. Joshua 5:13-14 says, “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?’ “’Neither,’ he replied, ‘but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come ... ‘”

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God Is FOR You

Meditate on the fact that you are loved by God and that He is for you to accomplish His will in your life.

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God is not out to take sides, but He sends His angels to accomplish His will in our lives and in the lives of those around us. Pray about what is God’s will for your life and understand that God does not have anything against you. Whether you see it or not, the Bible says that the “Father is always at His work” - God is working on your behalf. His will is to bless you and to set you free from the lies of the enemy. His will is for you to grow in Him and be the person that He has created you to be. 

Yuisa Vazquez-Brooks

 

 “Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.” - Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)

 

Jesus never promised that life would be easy. On the contrary, Jesus said that we would have trials.

At times, our difficulties make us question our relationships, our feelings about ourselves and others, and if God is truly concerned about our situation.

It may appear like God is not present and if He is, that He is not tuned in to our cry for help.

Our problems persist and our relationships suffer.

But know this, whether we go through financial struggles, physical or emotional problems, God is near to us.

Joshua 5:13-14 says, “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?’

“’Neither,’ he replied, ‘but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come ... ‘” (NIV)

In this passage, Joshua was being prepared to go into Jericho to take the city.

The Israelites had just celebrated the Passover and the Bible says that the manna had ceased.

Still, Joshua thought to ask the angel of the Lord whether he was for the Israelites or for Jericho.

When the angel answered “neither” he was saying that he was not for him or against him, just as he was not for Jericho or against Jericho.

The angel was there to do the will of the Lord.

Now, let that soak in for a moment.

Have you ever felt that God was against you and for someone else?

After reading that verse, I have come to understand that God is not out to take sides, but He sends His angels to accomplish His will in our lives and in the lives of those around us.

In your situation, pray about what is God’s will for your life and understand that God does not have anything against you.

The enemy would love for you to believe that God is angry with you and therefore has abandoned you; especially when you see others prosper or the wicked blessed.

No, whether you see it or not, the Bible says that the “Father is always at His work” (John 5:17, NIV).

God is working on your behalf.

His will is to bless you and to set you free from the lies of the enemy.

His will is for you to grow in Him and be the person that He has created you to be.

Meditate on the fact that you are loved by God and that He is for you to accomplish His will in your life.

Meditate on Proverbs 19:21 (NIV): “Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.”

Can God change your life?

God has made it possible for you to know Him and experience an amazing change in your own life. Discover how you can find peace with God.

You can also send us your prayer requests.

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Yuisa Vazquez-Brooks is a worship leader and songwriter at Heirs with Christ (Herederos con Cristo) church in Newport News, VA. She graduated from Saint Leo University with a bachelor’s degree in Human Services and has recently launched a women’s Bible Study, Conquistando Barreras (Conquering Barriers), which focuses on helping women rise above emotional pain and insecurities to discover their God-given potential through the word of God.

Yuisa has a passion to serve the people in her community, especially children and youth in need. A busy mother of two, she is an active parent in her children’s schools and extracurricular activities.  She takes pleasure in reading, writing and spending time with her husband, children and her parents, who live nearby. She currently resides in Yorktown, VA.

https://www1.cbn.com/devotions/god-is-for-you

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THE LORD WHOSE SWORD IS DRAWN - Perhaps you have been through a time when the tip of Christ's sword seemed aimed straight at your heart. God is for you. But before the Lord's sword will come through your mouth, it must first pass through your heart. Do not withdraw or be terrified at this new unveiling of the Son of God, for He is, in fact, fitting us for battle. By the time we are fully trained, we will be fearless warriors in His army. This frightening Warrior King, with His sword drawn, with the shout of war upon His lips, is the same blessed Savior who died on the cross for our sins.

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 The Lord Whose Sword Is Drawn

the wilderness for you has not been a time of punishment but a season of preparation and of learning obedience - you have learned from the struggles - today you walk in the fear of God and are not blinded by the sin of presumption

By Francis Frangipane

There is something about the time just prior to a move of God that causes many to wonder if the Lord is for them or against them.

He seems confrontational -- too intense, too "different" from the gentle, patient Shepherd we have learned to trust.

Yet to lead His people into the future, we need not only be "saved;" we need to be trained for spiritual warfare. 

Perhaps you have been through a time when the tip of Christ's sword seemed aimed straight at your heart.

Let me reassure you: God is for you.

In fact, it is His expressed purpose to release this same "sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6:17), through your words and prayers.

But before the Lord's sword will come through your mouth, it must first pass through your heart.

Do not withdraw or be terrified at this new unveiling of the Son of God, for He is, in fact, fitting us for battle.

By the time we are fully trained, we will be fearless warriors in His army.

Yet we must be realistic about our current state: many of us have been pampered and undisciplined.

We have not understood the day of warfare that looms before us. Nor are we prepared for the final raging of Satan as his time shortens (Revelation 12:12).

Isaiah tells us,

"The Lord will go forth like a warrior, He will arouse His zeal like a man of war. He will utter a shout, yes, He will raise a war cry. He will prevail against His enemies" (Isaiah 42:13).

We have known the Lord as our Savior and our Shepherd.

These revelations of our beloved Master are no less true because a new aspect of His nature is revealed.

It is simply that this new dimension is so startlingly different from how we have known Him.

Be of good cheer.

This frightening Warrior King, with His sword drawn, with the shout of war upon His lips, is the same blessed Savior who died on the cross for our sins.

Yet we cannot soften the shock of this great unveiling of Christ.

Our immediate dismay shall be in no way less dramatic than that which was revealed to Joshua on the plains of Jericho.

Our concepts will be shaken and fears confronted.

"Now it came about when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing 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?'" (Joshua 5:13).

Joshua already knew the Lord in the wilderness tabernacle. But here standing before him was a new revelation of the Son of God.

Now He appeared as Captain of the Host to lead His people into war.

Ultimately, these refugees from Egypt and their wilderness children would defeat many nations stronger and more numerous than themselves (Deutetonomy 9:1).

They would do the impossible through the power of the Lord.

Though initially Joshua was taken aback, both Joshua and the people with him were more prepared for this battle than they realized.

Their time in the wilderness had conditioned them for war!

Likewise, the wilderness for you has not been a time of punishment but a season of preparation and of learning obedience.

You have learned from the struggles.

Today you walk in the fear of God and are not blinded by the sin of presumption.

Before Jesus returns, those who have passed the wilderness tests will receive another revelation: Christ will be revealed to them as Captain of the Host.

We will be ready to follow the Lamb wherever He goes.

"And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and bowed down, and said to him, ‘What has my lord to say to his servant?' The captain of the Lord's host said to Joshua, ‘Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.' And Joshua did so" (Joshua 5:14–15).

This new unveiling of the Lord is holy.

Just as the Lord brought down atheistic communism in the former Soviet Union, so we will see additional hundreds of millions find salvation in the Son of God.

Nations are being touched and prepared. Let us not gainsay nor criticize what we may not fully understand.

God will shake everything that can be shaken, even while we receive His kingdom that cannot be shaken (Hebrews 12: 27-28).

The promise of the Lord, which we read earlier, is that He "will go forth like a warrior. . . He will raise a war cry. He will prevail against His enemies" (Isaiah 42:13).

Within the ranks of the advancing church, Jesus is raising a war cry. Can you hear His shout?

A new authority is being raised up.

Yes, they will be tested, but leaders will arise with the voice of prophetic prayer.

Christ Himself will prevail against His enemies. Indeed, the gates of hell shall not stand against the church Jesus is building (Matthew 16:18).

Adapted from Francis Frangipane's book, The Three Battlegrounds, available at www.arrowbookstore.com.

Francis Frangipane is the founder of River of Life Ministries in Cedar Rapids IA and has traveled throughout the world ministering to thousands of pastors and intercessors from many backgrounds. Francis' heartfelt prayer is to see established in every city, Christlike pastors and intercessors, united before God, revealing the love of Christ to their communities.

Over the past decades, Francis has served on a number of other ministry boards. However, in recent years he has gradually resigned from these various boards. As of June 2009, he has also retired from his position as senior pastor of River of Life Ministries. In this more simplified life, Frangipane is devoting himself to prayer and the ministry of God's word.

https://francisfrangipanemessages.blogspot.com/2017/07/the-lord-whose-sword-is-drawn.html