Supreme Commander

Joshua 5:13-15 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood 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?” So He said, “No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” 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.” And Joshua did so.

I expect most of us have heard the Biblical story as children of when Joshua and his army marched around the city of Jericho seven times. Then on the seventh time the priest blew their trumpets, and the warriors shouted, and the cities walls came crumbling down. There is not another victory in the battles of history that can claim that method. But before that battle Joshua had a divine encounter, or a Christophany; a vision of the preincarnate appearance of Jesus Christ in these verses above. Joshua was probably in prayer or meditation and became aware of someone near him. But in His courage as a leader he approached the figure that had His sword drawn to ask if he was a friend or foe. Imagine his surprise at His realization of to Whom he was speaking.

Christ was giving Joshua a glimpse into the spiritual world and the armies of heaven were being lead by the Supreme commander. Another verse that speaks of these glimpses is found in 2 Kings 6:16-17 So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. This invisible world is all around us every day, and many times there is a warfare that surrounds us on that plain which we cannot see, but feel. Countless stories in the Bible speak of this warfare, and the story of Job is another. If we are believers in Christ, followers of Christ, and seeking the things of Christ; then Christ is our Supreme commander of His angelic armies on our behalf also. You are not alone in this thing called life; but you may rest in His assurance that He has a plan, and it is all under His control. If you proclaim Christ as your Savior and fall under His command, you will ultimately rest in eternal victory because the victory is assured in the Word of God.