As Joshua is surveying the city of Jericho, pondering on the best course of action, he is suddenly confronted by a Man with a drawn sword. Joshua instinctively recognizes that this is his Lord, and he bows and worships in His holy presence. This Man was the Commander of the army of the Lord, and He had now come to fulfill His promise from Exodus 23 and go before His people in the conquest of the land of Canaan. Without Him, all the brilliant military strategies that the Israelites may have devised would have been worthless!
The battle plan that the Lord laid out before Joshua seemed ridiculous. But the people were going to be shown that their victory could only be obtained by trusting in the Lord. Every step they took as they silently marched around Jericho's walls was an act of obedient faith. And their confidence was placed in the Lord Himself, Whose presence (represented by the Ark of the Covenant) was in the very midst of the marching men.
Only Rahab's family was spared when Jericho was destroyed. It may seem cruel that all the others in the city were put to death, but we must remember that the Lord had patiently waited for the these people to repent and find mercy in Him for hundreds of years. And they stubbornly refused to do so. Sinners must flee from the wrath to come and turn to Jesus for their only hope and answer, contrary to what many teach us today.
Will we obediently follow the ways of the Lord, or will we turn aside to pursue the world's wisdom and pleasures? Jesus Christ, our Commander, has won the victory for us; and He still leads His people. Let's pray for grace to rejoice in His victory and follow Him faithfully! |
