"GOD'S PRESENCE"

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Joshua 5:13–15 “Now it came about when Joshua was by Jericho, he raised his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing opposite him with his sword drawn in his hand, and Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” He said, “No; rather I have come now as captain of the army of the Lord.” And Joshua fell on his face to the ground, and bowed down, and said to him, “What has my lord to say to his servant?” And the captain of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.”

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Joshua 5:13 “Now it came about when Joshua was by Jericho, he raised his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing opposite him with his sword drawn in his hand, and Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us or for our enemies?””

>>>Jericho was the first city the Israelites would encounter in conquering the Promised Land (next week).

>>>While Joshua was by Jericho, he saw a man standing there with a sword-someone ready for battle.

>>>Joshua’s question: “Whose side are you on?”

*Must have looked unique/out of place. There was assumption he knew who Israel was.

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Joshua 5:14 “He said, “No; rather I have come now as captain of the army of the Lord.” And Joshua fell on his face to the ground, and bowed down, and said to him, “What has my lord to say to his servant?””

>>>The man answered both questions in one word: “No” (neither).

>>>He identified himself as the captain of the LORD’s army.

*Someone identified with God.

*Not on Jericho’s side/Joshua’s side but God’s side.

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Joshua 5:14–15 “He said, “No; rather I have come now as captain of the army of the Lord.” And Joshua fell on his face to the ground, and bowed down, and said to him, “What has my lord to say to his servant?” And the captain of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.”

>>>(v.14) Joshua’s response was to bow down.

*This was done in the Bible as submission to perceived authority, humility, homage, and even worship (Abraham’s response to 3 men).

>>>Joshua also presented himself as a servant awaiting instruction.

>>>(v.15) The response the captain gives is for Joshua to take off his shoes. He was on holy ground. The next chapter God speaks and gives Joshua his instructions.

Exodus 3:5 “Then He said, “Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.””

>>>Once again, Joshua is tied back to Moses, having his own “burning bush” encounter with God.

>>>Two options for captain

*God (Christophany): He says the ground is holy/does not refuse worship. The next chapter God is the One Who talks. He does not truly identify Himself until ground is declared holy.

*Angel: This is an actual angel Joshua does not worship but respect. Yet he says take off shoes, because God was coming/there to meet w/Joshua.

>>>Either way, two things happening.

1.) GOD WAS PRESENT.

>>>Whether the captain was an angel or PI Jesus, God was Who made the ground holy and was meeting w/Joshua.

2.) NO INSTRUCTION WAS GIVEN UNTIL GOD’S PRESENCE WAS ACKNOWLEDGED.

>>>Joshua had to be in God’s presence the way God wanted Him to (submissive, no sandals). God did not give Joshua his instructions until Joshua was prepared for His presence.

>>>God’s presence in NT

Acts 13:2–3 “While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set Barnabas and Saul apart for Me for the work to which I have called them.” Then, when they had fasted, prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”

>>>The early church had a habit of worshiping and serving God together. Here, the Holy Spirit spoke to them and instructed them to set Barnabas and Saul apart for missionary work.

*They worshiped in/responded to His presence.

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