Jesus: The Commander of the Hosts of the Lord
"No, but as Commander of the army of the LORD
And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped,
and said to Him, "What does my Lord say to His servant?"
Then the Commander of the LORD’s army said to Joshua, "Take your sandal off your foot,
for the place where you stand is holy."
Jesus is the Commander of the Hosts of the Lord. When Joshua was surveying the apparently impregnable Jericho before attacking the city, the Lord appeared to Joshua. Originally, Joshua thought the Lord was a soldier, so he asked, “Are You for us or for our adversaries?” (Joshua 5:13). The Lord was not on either side. The Lord simply answered He was the Commander of the Hosts of the Lord. Joshua fell on his face, calling him, “my Lord” (Joshua 5:13-15). The answer to victory over Jericho was not getting the Lord on Joshua’s side, but Joshua getting on the Lord’s side. When Joshua submitted to the Lord, he was given a divine strategy to win the battle (Joshua 6:2-5).
Lord, too often I beg You for help in my plans. Teach me to submit my plans to You. I want to be on Your side.
When the Lord appeared to Joshua, it was a Christophany, an appearance of Christ in the Old Testament. Because the Commander was called “Lord,” victory comes when you yield to His plans. Because the Commander is over the angelic host, victory comes when you get heavenly power on your side. The Commander of the Hosts of the Lord told Joshua to take off his shoes because he was on holy ground; likewise, you must worship to achieve victory.
Lord, I realize I’m in a spiritual battle. I want to join Your army; show me what to do. I want spiritual victory; send angelic hosts to help me. I want fellowship with You, so I worship You. Amen.
Go Deeper: Joshua 5:13-15, Joshua 6:1-21
Since Jesus is our Commander in battle, we must join His army.
