On God's Side

An interesting juxtaposition has happened between yesterday and today. Yesterday we stood outside the White House. The flag was at full mast, meaning the first family was home. There were the usual guards and barriers all around. We couldn’t get close, and only by special appointment would we have been able to enter the grounds, let alone the house. And only if we were very important people, could we have visited the Obama family. I was outside the home of arguably the most important, influential person in the world, and I had no way of getting in.

This morning, I have already spoken with the most important, influential being in the universe. I’ve done nothing to garner his attention. I entered into his house of worship by his invitation. He has welcomed me. Though I am fairly well dressed, I’m still, outwardly, not dressed well enough for this head of state. But my sovereign, when he looks at me, he sees perfection, Christ’s perfection. This morning, I, and I hope all of you, clothed myself with Christ. I put on Christ, receiving from him his righteousness, goodness and holiness. Apart from Christ, I cannot stand before you, let alone God.

In our passage this morning, Joshua finds himself in a similar situation. He’s alone, at night, whether in private prayer or standing, planning, plotting his siege of Jericho. We find him at work, work befitting the commander of God’s people. He has demonstrated his faithfulness to God, having followed God’s commands regarding the crossing of the River, circumcision and Passover. Having done God’s requirements, God visits Joshua. This is a worthy expectation. God visits his people, when they are faithful.

The Lord visited Joshua in bodily form. This is the first record of such an experience for Joshua. Earlier, the Lord had spoken to him, but now he appears before him. Many scholars believe that this person was none other than the Son of God, who frequently appeared in human shape before taking on human nature forever in the incarnation.

His appearance immediately grabbed Joshua’s attention. Joshua, at his post, ready, expectant, on guard, saw him a bit off, a soldier, drawn sword in hand. Jesus appears as befits our needs and expectations—a traveller to Abraham, a soldier to Israel’s commanding officer. The drawn sword indicates that Joshua’s war was just. The king declares war by drawing his sword. Christ prepares the Israelites for battle. Christ has drawn his sword in defense and in salvation for us, his people. How comforting it is to know that Christ is prepared for battle.

Joshua demonstrates his courage, his boldness by speaking directly to this soldier. “Are you for us or are you for our enemies?” This implies that if he were the latter, then Joshua would have engaged him immediately. Neither the man’s sudden appearance, nor his glory put him off, rather, he acted as the general he was, by speaking directly. Here we see God at work in Joshua. God promised to be with him, to prepare him, therefore he ought to be bold and courageous. He was. Therefore, we have no less reason to doubt God’s work in and through us, so also we must be prepared, ready to do what God has commanded of us.

This brings to bear the spiritual aspect of this warfare. As commander of the Lord’s army, he has come. He is the commander over Joshua, the commander in chief, the general. He is also the commander of the spiritual forces. Remember how Elisha knew those spiritual forces, and prayed so that his servant could see them?

This meant that within the people of Israel there were a host of angels guarding and protecting them. It is no surprise then that the Bible describes Jesus “As the captain of our salvation” (Heb. 2.10), and “the leader and commander to the people” (Isa. 55.4). Without Christ as captain, we would lose, but with him, we win! Christ came to organise the troops, get them ready, and lay out the siege.

As soon as Joshua understood who it was before him, he fell on his face and worshipped. A reason to believe that this is the pre-incarnate son of God is that he received the worship, and did not rebuke him. Contrast this with John in his book, Revelation. There are several times when he lays prostrate before the revealing angel, who rebukes him each time and says, “I’m just a creature like you, don’t do that before me.”

Even though Joshua was commander over all Israel, he was still humble enough to recognise a superior officer. He harboured no jealousy, he didn’t question his credentials, instead, he willingly submitted to him as his commander. This must be our attitude. Christ is our Lord. We do not come to him on our terms. We come to him on his, only his.

Joshua asked the commander, for instructions. What are the words of the Lord for his servant? Here we see Joshua’s perfect understanding of the situation. Though himself a great commander, he is but a servant of Christ, his job is simply to obey Christ’s commands. If we desire to live our lives in obedience, we must sincerely dedicate ourselves to Christ. We must understand our position is as Christ’s servants. Servants don’t have rights. Servants don’t make demands. Servants don’t come with a laundry list of terms.

Joshua’s question also shows a real desire to know God’s will. As an inferior officer, he waits for his orders. This demonstrates Joshua’s perfect qualifications for the job. A good soldier, a good commander, first knows how to obey.

Joshua demonstrated his love and reverence by removing his sandals. This is an outward expression of an inward reverence. This is why people typically dress up for church. It is an outward expression of the inner awe for God’s holiness.

I’m not sure I would have wanted to visit the Obama’s yesterday wearing my jeans and a t-shirt. Though they seem quite approachable, it would be strange to be so casual before them. What you wear to church must be an expression of the inner awe in your heart for God. If you are dressing up for other people in the church, or if you are dressing up because you think you have to, in order to be more accepted by God, then you’re doing it for the wrong reasons. If you are even doing so, out of respect for this building, you’re wrong.

How you dress must be because of your sense of God’s holiness within. That you first understand what Christ has done. That you understand that apart from Christ, you couldn’t stand, that you’d be as guilty as Aaron’s sons, who were consumed by fire for offering false worship. Look to your own heart; do not concern yourself with the outward appearance of others. Trust the same Spirit who is at work in you, bringing you into a deeper understanding of God’s holiness, to be at work in their hearts too, to lead them to demonstrate outwardly, what they sense within. Does that make sense? In other words, don’t judge one another by what observations you perceive one another to be making. Rather trust in Christ, who makes all things new.

The removal of the sandals was a reaffirmation of God’s call on Joshua’s life. Just as God commanded Moses to remove his footwear before sending him to bring Israel out of Egypt, so he commanded Joshua, confirming that as he was with Moses, so he will be with him.

Let us also trust God. Some of you might find this a worthwhile exercise. God is present in our lives; he’s present here with us this morning. Yes, he is with us in this room. He’s with our children and their teachers in Sunday School, he’s with our children and their attendants in the Nursery. Because God is here, the Holy Spirit is here, remove your footwear, for the ground we are standing on is Holy. It is not because it is a church building; but because God is here. Go ahead; take off your shoes, your boots. Submit yourself to Christ as your commanding officer. Offer yourself as a living sacrifice. Obey his commandments for your life. If you are aware of living outside of God’s law, if you are harboring resentment toward a brother or a sister, if you are guilty of wrongdoing, correct it.

Be encouraged! Be bold and very courageous. Your commanding officer, Jesus Christ, is with you. He’s drawn his sword and he is battling against your enemies, not those of flesh and blood, but against the powers of this dark world. He commands his hosts to surround you and protect you. Obey him, and worship him, living for him alone. Amen.