What saith my lord unto his servant?

Introduction: As we come to this 5th chapter in Joshua, we are faced with an amazing account, an unusual account where Joshua encounters God in a Theophany.

This Theophany is different than what we see when we are told of Moses and the Burning Bush.

Joshua you can imagine is up in years at this point and had served alongside of Moses.

He had seen the people of God wander in the wilderness for forty years because of unbelief --- those who were His peers passed away and even His great friend and leader.

We are told that He died at 110 years of age… the same as the great patriarch Joseph (Genesis 50:26)

This being the 5th chapter of the book, much has taken place already.

In Chapter 1 - Joshua is encouraged by the Lord and given specific instructions by God.

In Chapter 2 - We have the account of the spies sent in to Jericho.

In Chapter 3 - We have the amazing account of the nation of Israel crossing the river Jordan.

In Chapter 4 - We have the memorial of where they had entered in and where they were headed.

But here in chapter 5, we have a chapter that indicates the sanctification of this people unto God.

In verses 1-9 the adults males were circumcised. In this God, tells them that “This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you...” (Verse 9) Which is why the name of place was Gilgal --- which means to ‘roll away’ coming from the word that mean wheel.

And we are reminded that our Lord has taken away the reproach of the world from us, as the people of God. We have been circumcised in our hearts.

In verses 10-12 we then see the first passover in Canaan and it is from their that they are really embark on the battle that is involved in the triumphant Christian life.

Three campaigns ensue to possess what God has already given them. And so it is with you and me. We are engaged in warfare.

This that we gather to accomplish this morning, is to engage in warfare.

We are involved in warfare against the world, the flesh and the Devil.

When we bend our knees and our hearts and pray here in just a minute, it is because there is a cause!

What is that cause?

This is what I want to get to this morning.

I want us to think for a moment about what exactly transpires in this peculiar event given to us in verses 13 and 15.

I want you to realize first of all:

I. There is a city to conquer.

It appears in verse 13, that Joshua is surveying the city from a distance.

He is looking at the field of battle.

He is observing the fortifications and perhaps turning over in his mind the magnitude of what God has asked them to do.

Remember this is not the first time that Joshua has been in this land.

The Bible tells us in Numbers 13:21-24 how that they travelled the length of the land and no doubt had seen cities similar to this one, if not this very city before.

40 days, if you will remember. And so Joshua, no doubt is here laser focused on the task at hand.

You and me are not just here this morning because we had nothing better to do.

We have come together for a purpose.

And could I say it this way, there are cities to conquer.

There is ground that the husbandman has placed before us.

What is your purpose here this day?

II. There is an enemy to Confront.

We are behind enemy lines are we not?

The Bible tells us that we who by faith know the Lord Jesus Christ are not of this world but we are in this world.

John 17:15 gives us our Savior’s words where He states, “15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.”

Philippians 3:20 “20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:”

Our citizenship is in Heaven with the Lord. We are here but for a time and while we are here there is an enemy to confront.

He has been assaulting humanity and an affront to God for thousands of years.

Folks are entangled in His snare and marching to his orders… in bondage… a conscription of terrible consequences.

Here Joshua is and in His mind as He looks at this city, He understand that there is an enemy to face.

It is troubling, is it not?

III. There is a Captain who Commands.

This really is where my heart is this morning. When I thought about my life… the vapour that it is and serving the Great King.

We all get the idea, that this is my battle and my war and my plan and my way...

And how can I come up with the best stratedgy.

How can I deal with this present world’s evil?

How can I…I....I....I and Me Me Me Me....

And we may come up with some clever plans and clever stragedy.

For what purpose to we have this recorded here for us?

Why did the Lord Jesus Christ appear to Joshua?

Notice what the Bible says,

Joshua 5:13-14 “13 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? 14 And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?”

Here it is---could I sum it up this way? Get behind me Joshua....

Joshua says, Who are you fighting for? Are you fighting for me or them?

God says, neither, I am fighting for me.

It’s about me.

It is my glory. It is my honor. It is my victory. It is my battle. It is my plan.

This is not mine. It is His.

Turn very quickly to Revelation 1:12-20

As you turn there, this is another remarkable appearance of the Lord. This of course happened after His ascension. John on the isle patmos was witnessing grievous wolves come in and assault the 1st century local churches.

He had seen heresies cropping up. He had seen difficulties and persecutions arise…

He himself was persecuted for the cause of Christ. And here he is… The last of the last… the lone apostle…

Things didn’t look good on the field of battle.

....Notice what comfort God gives to John… just as He did to Joshua…

....Read Text.

There is a great relief to realize that God has the plan....

Joshua did what you and I should do this morning, in the battlefield of prayer and in the battlefield of outreach… He cried,

What saith my Lord unto His servant?

You lead Lord, I will follow.

Your plan is THE PLAN.

David said this in Psalm 18:34 “34 He teacheth my hands to war, So that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.”