What is the meaning of Joshua 5:14? "Neither," He replied • The heavenly figure rejects taking sides in human terms. His allegiance is exclusively to God’s purposes, not to Israel’s or Jericho’s agendas (cf. 2 Chron 20:15; Romans 8:31). • The response reminds Joshua—and us—that victory flows from submission to the Lord’s plan, never from assuming God will endorse ours (Proverbs 3:5-6; James 4:13-15). • By saying “Neither,” the Commander redirects Joshua’s focus away from earthly conflict to divine authority, underscoring that God’s kingdom transcends national boundaries (Psalm 24:1; Isaiah 45:5-7). "I have now come as Commander of the LORD’s army.” • The speaker identifies Himself with absolute clarity: He is the supreme military Leader over all angelic hosts (Psalm 103:20-21; Revelation 19:11-14). • The phrase “now come” signals decisive, timely intervention—God personally arrives to secure His covenant promises (Exodus 3:8; Joshua 1:5). • Because only God commands the heavenly armies, many understand this appearance as a pre-incarnate revelation of Christ, the Word who later comes in flesh (John 1:1, 14; Colossians 1:16-17). • The declaration assures Joshua that Jericho’s walls will fall by divine power, not by Israel’s strength (Joshua 6:2-5; Zechariah 4:6). Then Joshua fell facedown in reverence • Immediate prostration shows Joshua recognizes deity; angels refuse worship (Revelation 22:8-9), but this Commander receives it, confirming His divine identity (Genesis 18:2-3; Matthew 4:10). • Reverence positions the leader of Israel as servant before the true Leader of Israel (Deuteronomy 10:12; Isaiah 6:5). • Genuine worship precedes victorious warfare; surrender comes before conquest (2 Chron 20:18-22; Acts 13:2-3). and asked Him, “What does my Lord have to say to His servant?” • Joshua seeks instruction, showing that obedience follows worship (1 Samuel 3:10; John 14:15). • By calling himself “servant,” he acknowledges complete dependence on God’s word for the upcoming battle plan (Psalm 119:105; Joshua 6:1-5). • The moment models leadership that listens before it leads, highlighting that every step into the Promised Land must align with God’s revealed will (Proverbs 16:9; Ephesians 2:10). summary Joshua 5:14 reveals the pre-eminence of the Lord Himself as the true Commander of every battle. He does not affiliate with human sides; He commands total allegiance. Recognizing this, Joshua worships and seeks orders. The passage calls believers to humble surrender, confident that victory rests not in our strategies but in obedience to the One who commands heaven’s armies and faithfully fulfills His promises. |
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