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1. Joshua, before the Angel of the Lord, represents a sinful people.

(1) Sin is impurity. What dress is to the body, moral character is to the Soul. Impure garments are the symbol of sin. Iniquity is described by the most loathsome objects in nature — an infant uncared for; the vomit of the dog; the wallow of swine; the exhalations of the sepulchre. A Greek philosopher said, "Evil destroys us like a wild beast."

2. God saves through instrumentality. There are two classes: the good, who stand by all beneficent influences; and Satan, all that hinders good, evil spirits, bad men, corrupt hearts. The day of Gospel grace is neither day nor night. It is a conflict of contending forces. We live between Ebal and Gerizim. Everyone who undertakes anything good will find agencies obeying the command, the Angel of the Lord assisting. And He will find Satan standing at his right hand, — the place of power — to resist him.Reflections —

1. We observe the same method of work in the natural world, and in civil society, as in the Church. All are the work of one God.

2. Why does God permit sin? He works by the balance of contending elements everywhere.

3. The position of an unsaved sinner is as when a chief falls wounded between two contending armies: both fight for him. For which does he fight?

(J. S. Fulton.)

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KJV: And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.

WEB: He showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of Yahweh, and Satan standing at his right hand to be his adversary.