Joshua 5 Devotional

On the Lord's Side

““Neither,” He replied. “I have now come as Commander of the LORD’s army.” Then Joshua fell facedown in reverence and asked Him, “What does my Lord have to say to His servant?””Joshua 5:14 (BSB)

Israel is finally in the land, but before a single battle God does three things. He has Joshua circumcise the generation born in the wilderness and declares the shame of Egypt rolled away (5:2-9). Israel keeps the Passover, the meal that remembered their rescue. And the day after they eat the produce of the land, the manna stops (5:10-12). The God who fed them in the desert now feeds them from the land he promised.

Then near Jericho, Joshua meets a man with a drawn sword and asks whether he is for Israel or for their enemies (5:13). The answer is neither. He has come as commander of the LORD's army (5:14). Joshua falls facedown and removes his sandals, as Moses once did at the burning bush (Exodus 3:5). The real question was never whether God would join Israel's side. It was whether Israel would bow to his. Before asking God to back your plans, you can come to him as Joshua did, ready to hear what he wants.

To think about: Are there plans you have been asking God to support without first asking what he wants from you?