What lessons can we learn from Joshua's humility and obedience in this passage? Key Verse “ ‘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) Setting the Scene • Israel has just crossed the Jordan and celebrated Passover in the land. • On the eve of Jericho’s conquest, Joshua encounters the Commander of the LORD’s army—an appearance of the preincarnate Christ. • One sentence from the Commander and Joshua drops to the ground. Humility and obedience flow naturally from a heart that recognizes God’s authority. Recognizing Divine Authority • Joshua’s first instinct is to submit. No debate, no delay. • Similar moments: – Moses at the burning bush: “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground” (Exodus 3:5). – Isaiah before the throne: “Woe to me… I am ruined!” (Isaiah 6:5). • Lesson: A clear view of God’s holiness shrinks self-importance and produces instant humility. Immediate Obedience Without Negotiation • Joshua doesn’t ask for credentials; he asks for instructions: “What does my Lord have to say to His servant?” • Obedience is not optional extra credit. It is the essence of faith: – “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15). – “Obedience is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22). • Lesson: Delay is disobedience in slow motion. God looks for hearts ready to move at the first word. Worship Comes Before Warfare • Joshua worships prior to receiving the battle plan for Jericho (Joshua 6). • Pattern repeated: Jehoshaphat’s choir leads the army (2 Chronicles 20:17–22). • Lesson: Victories are won first in the place of humble adoration; strategy follows surrender. Humility Positions Us for Victory • “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). • Joshua’s face-down posture invites divine favor. Pride would have forfeited it. • Christ models the same pathway: “He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8). • Lesson: Humility is not weakness; it is alignment with the omnipotent God. Obedience Invites God’s Strategy • Only after Joshua submits does the Commander reveal how Jericho will fall (Joshua 6:2–5). • Proverbs 3:5–6 promises direction to those who trust rather than lean on their own understanding. • Lesson: God’s strategies exceed human logic, but they are disclosed to obedient hearts. Living It Out Today • Cultivate awareness of God’s presence through Scripture and prayer, letting His holiness recalibrate priorities. • Respond promptly to the Spirit’s nudges—big or small. Start with known commands: forgive, serve, give, speak truth. • Begin every challenge with worship, acknowledging God as Commander before drawing up plans. • Embrace humility as strength. Yielding control to the Lord unlocks grace and guidance no human ingenuity can match. |
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