Dave continued our series looking at Joshua, in particular the taking of Jericho.
Commander of the Lords army
Joshua 5 v13 - 6.
Context
The spies have been into Jericho and Rahab has given her proclamation of faith in the Hebrew God. Yahweh.
The people of Jericho knew the supernatural work of Yahweh and this melted their hearts. Remember that Jericho was a city of great sinfulness. God was going to bring judgement on the sinful city of Jericho.
Phil told us about the consecration the Hebrew men were asked to perform before the battle to enter the Promised land.
Man standing with the sword drawn. This is thought to be the appearance of Christ. What intrigued me was the answer to Joshua’s question “ are you for us or for our enemies?” “ Neither”.
This didn’t make sense to start with. Surely God is for the Israelites. He has delivered them from Egypt, taken care of them in the desert, promised them the land ahead but this representative of God says neither.
What it is saying is now you have been consecrated to the Lord, you are not fighting for yourselves you must choose to be on the side of the Lord of Hosts.
We so often think, He is my God. What you can not say to God is here is my plan please bless it. Follow my plan. Keep up with the programme Lord.
I started to think of King George VI and his call for prayer before the Dunkirk rescue.
God was not on the side of UK and against Germany.
We are to choose To be on His side. His side is the side of righteousness and not evil. Whose side have you chosen to be on?
This is an important principle. We have to choose sometimes on a daily basis. Like the shepherd we are to follow his voice.
“What message do you have for your servant.?”
The Lord replies take your sandals off.
Shoes, sandals were a symbol bringing the world into the presence of God.
He doesn’t say go out with the ark etc. He said get the earthly thoughts out of your mind.
Work, leisure, family, sex, sport,
Fix your eyes on Jesus. The Lord of hosts. The commander of the army.
Then the Lord says to Joshua I have given you victory. Then he gives him the battle plan. The ark is the centre piece of the battle. This is the presence of God, the priests, blowing of the rams horns or shofar. This all speaks of the battle being the Lords. The victory is the Lord’s. He is the commander and strategist.
The rams horns was not just a weird thing to do. It was a statement that this is war and His covenant with us. The ark is a statement that the presence of God will accomplish the victory.
Once they have done this for seven days they give the shout and the walls fall.
What would happen if they only obeyed for 5 days?
The Israelites then go in and take the city. This is in accordance with the Lord’s instruction.
What do we learn from this?
This is like the New Testament teaching that the battle is not against flesh and blood but is in heavenly realms. We are to play our part but only in obedience to the Lord. Ephesians 6 v 10 -> 12. Paul builds up the whole of Ephesians to say that human effort is weak but God’s power is invincible. We see the same in Joshua.
Questions
1. What other examples are there of the commander of the Lords army standing in the way with His sword drawn? Look up the story of Balaam and his donkey.
2. Look at the story of Moses and the the burning bush, then Moses and the 10 commandments and see how this fits in with the Commander of the Lords army story.
3. How difficult is it to submit to joining the Lords army and not just asking God to follow our plans?
4. Encourage each other be honest about how fearful you are when we talk about spiritual warfare. Remember we are not putting our head above the parapet but our heads into heavenly realms. See Ephesians.
5. As a church we are looking to see more people come to Christ. Please be specific about who you are praying for. Make a note as a group and see how the Lord honours your prayers.
6. What struggles do you have in concentrating
