Sunday: Commander of the Army of the Lord
Daily Lesson for Sunday 19th of October 2025
Read Joshua 5:13-15. What does this text say about the background of Canaan’s conquest?
The Israelites have just crossed the Jordan and stepped onto the enemy’s ground. The fortress of Jericho lies in front of them, its gates firmly shut (Joshua 6:1). At this point, the people are unaware of any battle strategy. What is even more concerning is that Israel has only slings, spears, and arrows to take on a city fortified to withstand a long siege.
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Joshua’s questions regarding the identity of the strange visitor receive a rather obscure answer: “No.” The visitor’s answer reveals that He is unwilling to step into the categories defined by Joshua. In other words, the ultimate question is not whether He is on Joshua’s side; rather, is Joshua on His side?
Compare Joshua 5:14-15 with 2 Kings 6:8-17, Nehemiah 9:6, and Isaiah 37:16. What do you learn about the identity of the commander of the Lord’s army?
While the expression “commander of the army of the Lord” is unique in the Hebrew Bible, the combination of the terms “commander” and “hosts” always refers to a military leader. The word “host” in Scripture can refer to military troops, to the angels, or to celestial bodies.
The pre-incarnate Christ appears to Joshua not merely as an ally nor even as the true Commander of Israel’s army but as the Commander of the unseen yet real army of angels involved in a far greater conflict than that of Joshua with the Canaanites. Joshua’s answer clearly indicates his understanding of the Commander’s identity. He is equal to God, and Joshua falls prostrate in front of Him as a sign of profound respect and worship (Joshua 5:14, Genesis 17:3, 2 Samuel 9:6, 2 Chronicles 20:18). Joshua is ready to receive the battle strategy for a military campaign that is an intrinsic part of a far greater conflict in which the God of hosts Himself is involved.
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What comfort can, and should, we draw, from knowing that the “Commander of the army of the Lord” is at work in defense of His people? |
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What a powerful reminder! God had promised Moses and Joshua, "I will go ahead of you" (Exodus 23:20; Deuteronomy 31:3), and remarkably, He does. Joshua encounters the Commander of the Lord's army already in Canaan, ready to lead and fight on their behalf (Joshua 5:13-15).
I love how God's presence sanctifies the ground, just as He did with the burning bush, prompting Joshua to remove his sandals in reverence (Exodus 3:5). By humbling ourselves and acknowledging God's holiness, we position ourselves for divine encounter and empowerment.
The image of God as the Commander of the Lord's army is striking. He comes alongside Joshua, not as a distant deity, but as a trusted Ally, ready to unleash His mighty power on behalf of His people (Psalm 24:8; Isaiah 42:13). This truth is both exhilarating and reassuring. As we worship, trust, obey, and serve God, He becomes our Defender, fighting ahead of us and clearing the way (Psalm 68:1-2). Let's take a moment to appreciate God's willingness to partner with us, to empower us, and to fight for us. Praise God, who goes before us and fights our battles! (Psalm 44:5; 60:12).
Indeed every battle we encounter as God's people,goes beyond physical tussles but is also spiritual. It's a Conflict behind Conflict
Why did God not delegate the conquest of Canaan to one of His mighty angels who excel in power (Psalms 103: 20), but one of the Godhead (Jesus) had to take direct personal responsibility for Israel's victory?
On many occasions, God deploys angels to execute missions of judgment, protection, and battle (e.g., Sodom, Daniel, Revelation). However, in the conquest of Canaan, He took a more direct role. This was more than a territorial acquisition or land occupation. It was more than God fulfilling His promise to Abraham. This was part of a spiritual and moral confrontation between Yahweh and the corrupt spiritual systems of Canaan (Leviticus 18:24–25). This was more than a physical conflict but a manifestation of the Great Conflict. God’s mighty angels would have won a physical battle, but they have no capacity for spiritual revival and redemption. Canaan needed spiritual revival and redemption because this was going to be a home for the covenant people. Only God (Jesus) who has the power to conquer sin-rooted systems (Eph. 6:12, Col. 1:13). Only Christ who has the absolute power to disarm all powers and principalities (Colossians 2:15).
Every victory Israel won under God’s command was part of the larger cosmic battle to reveal God's power, love, justice and mercy and to expose Satan’s lies.This was a manifestation of God reclaiming His position of earth through Christ within the larger plan of salvation. Jesus will reappear ones again as the Commander of Heaven’s armies (Revelation 19) to bring the final victory over the Great Controversy. It is more than comforting to know and believe that Jesus is both a Redeemer and a Warrior, both mercy and judgment meet in Him. While it is called today, let us align ourselves with the winning side, Jesus’s side (Hebrews 3:13–15).
Omwenga, thank you for sharing your deep and insightful perspectives on why God Himself, through Christ, took direct responsibility for Israel’s conquest of Canaan. Your explanation beautifully captures the spiritual dimension of that event—showing it not merely as a historical or territorial conflict, but as part of the greater cosmic battle between good and evil.
When the conquests of God’s people are viewed through the lens of the Great Controversy between God and Satan, our understanding is profoundly transformed. The destruction of the nations involved is no longer seen as an act of genocide, but as a manifestation of divine judgment upon persistent sin and rebellion. God’s people were not instruments of cruelty, but agents through whom He executed justice and advanced His redemptive purposes in the ongoing conflict between righteousness and evil.
Your reflection reminds us that Christ is both Redeemer and Warrior, and that every divine act—whether of mercy or judgment—reveals His ultimate goal of restoring harmony to the universe. Thank you again for helping to frame this vital truth so clearly and reverently.
I like and love the comments you people make they really help me understand the lesson in another dimension.
As a matter of fact my unadventist friend was asking me yesterday saying God in the old testament seems unfair and harsh as in he was favouring the Israelites more as if the others aren't his creation. He initiated wars among these people and even kids were being slaughtered those kids who didn't know God just grew in there family but suffered like that how do you explain this??
As a matter of fact I didn't have an answer that's because I don't read that frequently and my reasons can only be just general so I didn't know how to answer it. Then after seeing this week's quarterly I think it is helping me to answer my friend.
So though I haven't read it fully and understood it am able to partially understand that *it was and it is, a conflict behind the scenes*
I really appreciate this thought, that Christ himself was the Captain of the host. It gives me hope and much joy trusting that Christ Himself will fight the battle for me like He promised Joshua.
The battle is the Lord’s. He fights on His terms. In our human thinking, these terms may not make sense. It is a testament of the faith of the children of Israel at this period in their history that they were able to submit to God’s leading.
Joshua 5:1 “So it was, when all the kings of the Amorites who were on the west side of the Jordan, and all the kings of the Canaanites who were by the sea, heard that the Lord had dried up the waters of the Jordan from before the children of Israel until we had crossed over, that their heart melted; and there was no spirit in them any longer because of the children of Israel.” Rehab had already reported to the spies how afraid of Israel the Canaanites were. With the miraculous crossing of the Jordan, this terror was multiplied. This would have been an opportune time to attack when the enemy was most vulnerable. Yet, God delays the conquest.
God has them cross the Jordan and into Canaan on the day when Passover preparations were to begin (Joshua 4:19, Exodus 12:2-3). What a special Passover this must have been! As they commemorated the great work of redemption in their freedom from slavery in Egypt, they also celebrated the fulfilment of God’s promise for they were now in the Promised Land.
God also takes away the manna (v12). Manna was a ready meal fully loaded with all the nutritional benefits needed for health and strength. Instead, the Israelites begin to eat from the land. Their food supply would no longer be gained through supernatural means but by the labour of their hands. They had to trust that the God who had provided the manna every day would provide through other means.
Most strangely, God instructs that the men who had been born in the wilderness should be circumcised and stay in that place until they were fully healed (v4-8). The uncircumcised men would have been around 40 years of age and below. Prime fighting age. Circumcision was an important physical sign of obedience to God under the covenants God made with Abraham (Genesis 17:9-14) and the nation of Israel (Leviticus 12:3). But it would have been more strategic to have the men circumcised before the crossing of the Jordan while the flood waters protected the Israelites from any potential attack of the Canaanites. Male circumcision takes much longer to heal than child circumcision. Full healing can take 2 to 4 weeks. After circumcision, men are physically vulnerable and cannot protect themselves in battle. This was the experience of the men of Shechem who were unable to fight after Simeon and Levi tricking them into becoming circumcised and then killed them all (Genesis 34:24-25). It makes no sense to march your army into the enemy front line and then incapacitate your entire fighting force.
In Joshua 5, The Commander of the Lord’s army asserts His authority over Israel. Before they could conquer Canaan, they had to be to fully submit to God. God’s message was clear: this is My battle. Not by might, nor by power but by My Spirit. Even as we ask ourselves hard questions this week, let us remember God doesn’t fight His battles on our terms. His ways are often unfathomable to us. Will we like Isreal at the Jordan trust him even when we don’t understand?
I was intrigued with your comment about the rite of circumcision being administered after they crossed the Jordan, rendering the able bodied men in Isreal incapacitated and leaving the entire nation vulnerable.
Their forebears had been in a similar position 40 years before at the Red Sea. They were trapped on all sides, Mountains on the side, Egyptians behind and the Red Sea in front. They were given a thrilling demonstration of a God and God alone rescue.
It seems to me that this may be, round two, for the faith strengthening of the next generation. Again they were trapped with the Jordan behind and the walled Jericho in front. Then God gave instructions to incapacitate all the able bodied men. Their very sore vulnerability a God ordained demonstration that their salvation/their victory was in Him and not the strong among them.
I find that my Christian walk, my fight of faith, is about learning and re-learning, over and over, that my salvation is "All About Him."
Can you just imagine having just crossed over into enemy territory and encountering an unknown person in battle array with his sword drawn? This is enough to make for wobbly knees. Here Joshua boldly confronts this "foreign soldier" inquiring whose side he is on. When Joshua realizes who this "person" is he falls prostrate before him.
If only we would have such an experience. Of course it would probably frighten most people speechless. We must remember that we wrestle not against flesh and blood...(Ephesians 6:12) Yes, we have to put on the spiritual armor of God. (Ephesians 6:10-18) However, we have to remember that the battle belongs to the Lord and that He will fight our battles for us, with us and through us, but ultimately it is His might and power that gives us the victory, not our own. (Zech. 4:6)
It is comforting to know that we aren't left to fight these battles alone or in our own strength. The Lord Himself and the angel armies of heaven fight alongside and for us. The battle is real, and so is the victory. Praise His Name!
This story of Joshua and the Commander of the Lord’s army (Joshua 5:13–15) gives us a powerful spiritual lesson for our lives today.
Before every battle physical, emotional, or spiritual we must pause and ask:
Am I on the Lord’s side?
Have I surrendered fully to His command?
Do I approach life’s challenges in worship and holiness?
When Christ, the Captain of the Lord’s host, leads our lives, victory is assured, because He has already conquered the ultimate enemy sin and death.
“When we surrender ourselves wholly to God and fully trust Him, He works out His own plans and uses us as instruments for His glory.”
— Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 509
It's comforting to know that the Lord goes before us and fights our battles, all we need to do is to surrender to Him and He will do the rest.
What a mighty God we serve!!!!!
The controversy was one which all heaven was interested. Through the prophet Daniel we were given a glimpse of this mighty struggle between the forces of good and the forces of evil. For three weeks David wrestled with the power of darkness seeking to counteract the influence and work on the mind of Cyrus and before the contest closed Christ himself came to Gabriel's aid. Prophets and Kings, p.571
Isaiah 30:15 – ‘In repentance and rest is my salvation, in quietness and trust is my strength’ [personalized]. It matters greatly where our focus is when facing adversities. Actually, it makes the difference between ‘thrashing around’ frantically trying to stay ‘afloat’ and ‘laying back’, trusting the ‘life-saver’ to do that which it was designed for – to save us.
First things first – remaining steadfastly faithful and trusting during ‘safe’, tranquil times, provides opportunities to ‘fill the life-saver’ with that which keeps us ‘afloat’. There is faith, trust and honesty, appreciation and thanksgiving, willingness to go the extra mile, seeking wisdom through prayer for difficult decisions, and many more aspects of our daily life lived in Jesus Christ.
Joshua 1:2;9 – God gave Joshua his commission and prepared him for it. Our 'battlefields' challenge us both spiritually and physically, though preparing for spiritual ‘readiness’ comes first - remaining strong in our faith and love for our heavenly Father - then we can ‘rest’ - assured that God leads in our fields of battle.
I love how Joshua approached the “soldier” with matched energy — “Are you for us or against us?” He didn’t back down or hesitate; he approached with the same intensity and authority the “soldier” carried. That confidence shows real leadership. Joshua was alert, brave, and fully obedient to what God had called him to do.
What I love most is how quickly Joshua shifted once he realized who he was speaking to. He understood this was the Commander of the Lord’s army, his whole posture changed — from warrior to worshiper. That humility speaks volumes.
And just like He did for Moses, God showed up for Joshua — proving again that His presence doesn’t fade from one generation to the next. When we walk in courage and obedience, God meets us there. He shows up with power, purpose, and promises fulfilled.
Joshua 5:14 — “No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.”
I find this response to Joshua so powerful. When he asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” the heavenly Visitor said, “No.” That answer shifts the focus completely — God doesn’t take sides in human conflicts; He leads. The real question isn’t whether God is on our side, but whether we are on His.
This moment reminds me that the battle was never about Israel’s strength or strategy, but about God’s power and purpose. The “Commander of the Lord’s army” (believed to be Christ Himself) came to take charge — showing that the victory ahead would be His doing, not Joshua’s.
And then Joshua was told to remove his sandals because the ground was holy. That reminds me that any work or battle for God must be approached with reverence and surrender.
It’s a great lesson for us today: before we can experience victory, Christ must take command. Instead of asking God to support our plans, we need to ask how we can align ourselves with His. That’s when the real power and peace come
God is always on the side of humans. He is their Creator and loves them to the point of giving Himself to die for them. In this (not always) invisible battle between good and evil, the real question is, are humans on the side of the Lord of Hosts? That should concern us.
I love the part when the Commander of the Army of the Lord, said to Joshua are you with me. For this was the battle of the Lord and Isreal were participants. Like for us today the fight against sin is the Lords and we are involved in the cross fire. But we know who will be the victor so we can be safe in this knowledge as we choose God as our commander that we can overcome.
Why is it that denominations want or think God should take sides?. Our God is not against a group or a race. Joshua gives God options but God decline. He identifies Himself with heavenly host.
He will always act in love and exercise judgement not because you belong to a group of people but because of what you do.