“When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, "Are you for us, or for our adversaries?" And he said, "No; but I am the commander of the army of the LORD. Now I have come." And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, "What does my lord say to his servant?" And the commander of the LORD's army said to Joshua, "Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy." And Joshua did so.”
Introduction
This brief encounter in Joshua 5:13-15 opens a doorway into how God prepares his people for the tasks ahead. Joshua has just entered a pivotal moment of leadership after Israel’s dramatic crossing into the promised land. In this scene, a mysterious commanding figure appears near Jericho, inviting Joshua to a posture of humility, attention, and worship. The encounter reminds us that our own moments of decision and mission are not made in isolation but within the holy presence of the God who leads his people and fights for them. The response of Joshua models a posture we can imitate: awe, reverence, and readiness to hear the word of the Lord for the next steps of his people.
Historical-Cultural Context and Authorship
The book of Joshua continues the narrative of Israel’s conquest and settlement in Canaan, following the leadership transition from Moses to Joshua. The appearance near Jericho occurs at a crucial juncture: the Jordan River has been crossed, and the people stand on the threshing floor between the old wanderings and the new conquest. The commander who speaks is identified as the commander of the army of the LORD, a theophany—God appearing in a form that reveals his sovereignty and intimacy with his people. This moment underscores that success in the promised land comes not merely by military strategy but by obedience, holy ground, and divine enabling. The sandals-removal motif echoes Moses’ ascent on holy ground at Horeb, signaling reverence and readiness to hear God’s redemptive direction.
Characters and Places
- Joshua: the newly affirmed leader of Israel, tasked with guiding the people into the land promised by God. He approaches the mysterious figure with questions about alignment and allegiance. - The commander of the army of the LORD: a divine emissary, representing God’s immediate presence and kingship, who speaks with authority and directs Joshua toward reverent obedience. - Jericho: the soon-to-be site of Israel’s encounter with its first major test, shaped by fortified walls and strategic significance. The setting on the eve of conquest emphasizes the contrast between human planning and divine instruction.
Explanation and Meaning of the Text
The passage unfolds with Joshua recognizing a divine visitor and seeking clarity about loyalty and purpose. The question, Are you for us or for our adversaries? reveals a common human perspective—whether God is aligned with our plan or against it. The response, No; but I am the commander of the army of the LORD, shifts the frame: God is not simply on Israel’s side; God is the one who leads and directs the campaign. Joshua’s worship, and the command to take off his sandals, signal holy ground and submission to God’s sovereignty. The encounter foreshadows the ongoing dynamic of faith: reliance on God’s presence and instruction rather than relying solely on human strength or tactics. The holiness of the place and the call to respond in reverence invite readers to consider how the heart responds when confronted with divine authority and guidance for faith-filled action.
Devotional
We, like Joshua, are invited to pause at the threshold of our own Jerichos—places where fear, pressure, or uncertainty loom. In that pause, God does not leave us to figure things out alone; he draws near in his messengers, his word, and his holy presence. May we respond with humility, asking the Lord to align our hearts with his purposes and to grant courage to step forward in obedience, trusting that divine leadership is stronger than any human plan.
In the fullness of time, the God who spoke creation into being speaks into our daily lives today. When we bow before him, laying down our sandals of self-reliance and pride, we discover that true victory comes not from our strength but from the One who commands the heavenly army on our behalf. May our worship be a daily sign that we belong to a holy, gracious God who leads us into the good and honorable paths prepared for us.