Joshua 5:13-15

The Appearance of the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:13-15

13 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?
14 And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?
15 And the captain of the Lord's host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.

13.

Who was the captain of the host of the Lord? Joshua 5:14

The person who appeared neither belonged to the Israelites nor to their enemies. He was the captain of the army of the Lord, i.e., of the angels. The Lord's host does not mean the people of Israel, who were just at the commencement of their warlike enterprise. Although the hosts of Israel who came out of Egypt are called the hosts of the Lord in Exodus 12:41, the Israelites are never called the host or army of the Lord (in the singular). The host of the Lord is synonymous with the host of heaven (1 Kings 22:19; and signified the angels, as in Psalms 148:2; Psalms 103:21). Some students of the Bible believe this captain was the second person of the trinity, the Son of God, who is called the Captain of the salvation of the believers (Hebrews 2:10). It seems better, however, to view this captain as the Angel of the Lord, who appeared first to Hagar when she fled from Sarah. This angel was recognized as a manifestation of God in one aspect of His being.

14.

Did Joshua recognize this Angel as God? Joshua 5:14 b

Joshua fell down upon the ground and did worship. He recognized him at once as the Angel of the Lord, who was a special manifestation of God. This is more than the giving of reverence upon the part of a dependent to a superior or king (e.g. 2 Samuel 9:6; 2 Samuel 14:33). He recognized him as something more than man, a superior being. The angel accepted his adoration, something the angel would not receive from John on Patmos (Revelation 22:9). Such reception of worship would have caused Joshua to know immediately that before him was standing a divine being. Joshua was facing a severe test as the people of Israel were approaching the strongly fortified city of Jericho. He would need to know that they who were for Israel were greater than they who were against them (2 Kings 6:16).

15.

What was the purpose of this appearance? Joshua 5:14 c

The object of the divine appearance was indicated by the drawn sword in the hand (cf. Numbers 22:31) by which He manifested himself as a heavenly warrior. The drawn sword contained in itself a practical explanation. God was saying that He had a heavenly army to make war upon the Canaanites and to assist Joshua and his people. Such a theophany would give great encouragement to Joshua.

16.

Was this a vision? Joshua 5:15

It was not in a vision that this appearance took place. It was an actual occurrence belonging to the external world verified by Joshua's senses. He saw the man with the drawn sword at a certain distance from himself. He went up to him to address him, an act that would be perfectly incompatible with an inward vision. He entered into conversation with the man. He heard him reply to his questions.

17.

What are the interesting details of this appearance? Joshua 5:13-15

The following details of this occurrence are worthy of noting:

a.

A manGenesis 12:7; Genesis 18:2; cf. Exodus 3:2; Exodus 3:6; John 1:18

b.

A swordcf. Genesis 3:24; Numbers 22:31

c.

Prince of the host of the LordJeremiah 5:14; Jeremiah 15:16; Isaiah 6:3; Psalms 24:10; Psalms 80:7; Psalms 80:19. (see also 1 Samuel 1:3; 1 Kings 22:19)

d.

Joshua's attitude was like others:

1.

AbrahamGenesis 17:3

2.

MosesExodus 3:6

3.

ManoahJudges 13:22

We also read later that this Angel of the Lord came up from Gilgal to Bochim with a message for Israel (Judges 2:1).