Every Single Word: Joshua 5:13 - 6:2

Dr. Thomas W. White - Chapel Messages

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Dr. White led today’s chapel and encouraged everyone to look up to the Lord. He went through Joshua 5:13–6:2, painting a picture of what the Lord was revealing in each verse.

In this passage, we see a nation who is rebellious against God. They are the children of Israel, yet they live their lives wandering around the wilderness. To break this cycle of endless wandering, they had to repent, obey, and get right with God.

Joshua isn’t like the rest of the children of Israel. He is circumcised, obedient to the Lord, and found going on a walk in this passage. He comes across Jericho, a city with fortified walls that the Lord has promised to give to Israel. No one can go in or out. Joshua is staring at an impossible situation in which everyone is looking at him, the leader, to figure out a solution.

Have you ever faced a situation where it feels impossible to find a way out? Maybe you feel drowned in the weight of getting assignments done with midterms right around the corner. Maybe you can feel anxiety rushing through you as you search for a job or internship. No matter how stressful your situation is, Joshua felt the same way.

While searching for what to do, Joshua looks up. He sees a man standing before him with a sword drawn. Does he run away in fear? Does he draw a weapon to defend himself? No, he walks straight towards him and asks, “Are you for us or for our adversaries?” The man answers and says “No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.” (Joshua 5:14 ESV) Joshua showed strong and courageous faith by approaching him and later bowing down in worship. We see this cross-referenced in Exodus 23:20.

Joshua is commanded by the commander of the Lord’s armies to take off his shoes because he is standing on holy ground. This is also cross-referenced from Exodus 3, where Moses sees the burning bush. We know that the God of Israel is the same God who was with Moses and kept His promises to him.

The commander of the Lord’s armies came with a sword, demonstrating that the Lord will pass judgement. Our God is a righteous judge, and judgement is coming, even today. Yet with judgement, He also extends redemption. He redeemed Rahab, a harlot, and gave her a new home amongst the children of Israel. No matter what you’ve done, He can redeem you too. Like the children of Israel, all you have to do is repent, obey, and get right with God.

When Joshua saw the commander of the Lord, what did he see? When he saw the massive fortress of Jericho, what did he see?

He saw that the battle belongs to the Lord!

Concluding thoughts:

God came to take charge, not take sides.
Joshua went to look at his problem. Instead, Joshua found his solution.
Are we standing in our own way?
The battle belongs to the Lord. Psalm 20:7, 1 Sam. 17:47; Deut. 20:4; 2 Chron. 20:15

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