Who is the commander of the lords army

We invite you to encounter more of Christ by reflecting on his marvelous names in Scripture. This page features daily selections from the book, I Want to Know More of Christ, by Steve Hall. As you listen to the audio or read the text versions (which are updated every day) may you become increasingly captivated by the fullness of Christ! You can also receive a free daily email reminder to visit this page by signing up below.

Jesus is…

The Commander of the Army of the Lord

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SCRIPTURE READING:

Joshua 5:13-15

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.” Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?”

The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.

SIGNIFICANCE:

The LORD JESUS CHRIST stands before His Church as the commander-in-chief of heaven's armies.

Dear Father, As Joshua did, I fall facedown to the ground in reverence of Jesus, the supreme Commander of the Army of the Lord. I worship Him, and in honor and humility, I take off my shoes in His holy presence. I am in awe of Him, with His sword drawn for battle. I wholly submit to His command of the universe and of every area of my life, and I pray that every other believer will be convicted by Your Spirit do so too. I pray that the Commander of the Army of the Lord and His heavenly host will defend me, my family, and all His people against the relentless attacks and plans of the enemy of our souls. In fact, just as the Commander of the Army of the Lord caused the walls of Jericho to fall, I pray the enemy all around us will be crushed and defeated now. May Christ’s kingdom come and His will be done, so that all lost people will fall on their faces before Him and cry out to Him for salvation. May all people revere the name of Jesus, in Whose name I pray these things. Amen.

Moses’ successor, Joshua, encountered a man with a drawn sword before they conquered the land of Jericho. The warrior introduced himself as the “Commander of the Lord’s army.” But, we will understand His true identity when we read some proof from the Bible itself.

Commander of the Lord’s Army

 “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.” (Joshua 5:14-25)

There was no more information about this mysterious Commander. But, from these verses, we will learn that He was actually God, Himself.

In Revelation 19:9-10, John met an Angel of God who delivered the message of Jesus. At this, John bowed down to him in worship, but the angel said, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God!”

Indeed, the Creature Joshua met was not an angel, for angels don’t receive worship from men.

Second, He told Joshua to remove his sandals for where he stood was holy. This familiar scene also happened when Moses encountered God in a burning bush. “‘Do not come any closer,’ God said. ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground'” (Exodus 3:5)

It was not an angel Moses met, and it was God Himself.

Fulfillment of Promise

His appearance to Joshua was the fulfillment of His promise to Moses. Exodus 33:13-15,” ‘If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways, so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.’ The Lord replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’ Then Moses said to him, ‘If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.'”

We know that the One who went before Joshua and led them to conquer the promised land was not just an angel from the Lord, but it was Him, Himself. He is Emmanuel, the God with Us.

Reference: Living Word

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Christa

Christa is a content creator at GOD TV. She writes for the glory of God.

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