"When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the LORD. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?” And the commander of the LORD’s army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.” (Joshua 5:13–15).
The Obstacle
Joshua, the newly minted leader of Israel, was perplexed. Moses always knew what to do, but now he was gone. In recent days, God worked miraculously to bring nomadic Israel into the permanence of the Promised Land, parting the Jordan River's floodwaters so they could enter in. Forty years earlier God had split the Red Sea for their parents and grandparents, and now God showed this new generation his favor. He brought them into the land. But once in, what would they do? Where would they go?
They'd been told, of course, battles would come. God had determined, for many years and with many warnings, judgment upon the peoples of the Canaan. Joshua knew Israel would have to get to warring, but how and where was the question.
As he gazed towards the horizon, he saw the city of Jericho. It was an impregnable fortress, an enemy for whom Israel had no training. As the general, the leader, of the nation, Joshua must've felt a need to concoct a plan.
It's not like God hadn't spoken to them about Jericho before. He had told Moses how one day they'd be next to the great city. God promised to bring his judgment upon it. But Jericho was always, up to this point in the Biblical story, across the water from Israel. It was a future problem, tomorrow's concern. But now they were right up next to it. There was no avoiding this confrontation, and what would Joshua do? He had, I'm sure, no idea.
To make matters worse, Jordan's waters had closed behind them, and the manna had ceased. God was the author of both events, his way of declaring to Israel only forward motion would do. Israel had nowhere to run, and if they wanted to eat, they had to move. So Joshua knew time was of the essence. Jericho could not be avoided.
So Joshua studied the walled city. I imagine him -- perhaps I import too much of myself onto him -- overwhelmed with the stress of the situation. He'd never gone this way before and had no experience toppling castles. He strategized and stressed, doing his best. Anxiety began to flood his heart.
The Intervention
At this moment by Jericho, Joshua "lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand." Joshua was perplexed by this man and his readied weapon, for Joshua had given no command to engage in battle. So he asked, "Are you for us or our adversaries?" He needed this man to identify himself. Was he friend or foe?
The man replied, "No," for he was neither. He was not merely part of Joshua's army, nor was he a defender of Jericho. Instead, he said, "I am the commander of the army of the LORD. Now I have come."
God had an army, invisible, powerful, and real, and Joshua couldn't see it. All he saw were his problems and responsibilities, but now the true leader of the actual army of God had shown himself. Joshua fell down in worship. Then the Lord gave Joshua history's craziest battle strategy: walk around the city in silence once daily; then, on the seventh day, walk around it seven times, blow the horns, and watch the walls fall.
This was the moment Joshua needed. He had to recognize how much God was for him, with him, and invisibly serving him and the nation. God did not need Joshua's stress and worry, for God had a weapon ready. He would send his commander to lead the charge and win the victory.
Not all the battles in the Promised Land were waged in this manner, but all of the battles in the Promised Land required God's aid. Jericho stood out as a lesson for every generation: God is involved with his people. He stands, ready to fight. Joshua's task? Worship, listen and obey. God would take care of the rest.
Today's Jerichos
This story from Joshua's (and Israel's) life has meant much to me over the years. I even hand wrote these verses, before the carpet was laid, on the slab of wood where my pulpit sits. I have always loved how the stresses of life can evaporate when I get my eyes on Christ. He is the true leader. Jerichos come and go, but he remains the same. He has his sword drawn. I only need to receive the plan from him and walk in it.
Have you ever found yourself at the absolute limits of your ability, without a clue what to do next? Have you ever felt the pressure of leading or providing for others? Have you ever felt confused over what your next move should be? Let Joshua's story and Jericho's toppling encourage your heart.
Sometimes the responsibilities of life overwhelm us. The pressure becomes immense. I've been reading, recently, about the millennial generation and the challenges they face in the educational system and the workforce. The pressure to excel, to make it, to try and find suitable work, is immense, and one example of millions. Relational brokenness, world chaos, wayward desires, church mission and vision, aging bodies, raising children, gospel stewardship, business decisions, etc. Time and time again new Jerichos emerge.
In those moments, remember the Lord, how he fights for his people. He asks you to cast all your care upon him. He is leading and working and moving behind the scenes. He has a plan, often an extremely counterintuitive one, and he wills to communicate it to you. As with God's plan for Jericho, it might sound crazy, it might feel nonsensical, but, by his power and might, it will be the one thing which works.
