When God called Moses to the burning bush and commissioned him to be a leader among the Israelites so that He might rescue them from their Egyptian bondage, God instructed Moses to approach Him in a most holy manner.

5 Then He said, “Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.” 

6 Moreover, He said, “I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God.

~ Exodus 3:3-6

This situation is reminiscent of how the Commander of the Lord’s army spoke to Joshua! As the period of invasion and conquest in biblical history began, a celestial being appeared to Joshua to encourage him. During their meeting, the Commander of the Lord’s army instructed Joshua to approach him in a holy manner also.

13 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood 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 adversaries?”

14 So He said, “No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, “What does my Lord say to His servant?”

15 Then the Commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy.” And Joshua did so.

~ Joshua 5:13-15

Notice that the “Commander of the Army of the LORD” appears to Joshua, and in response, Joshua quickly falls on his face and worships this being. Like Moses at the burning bush, Joshua is instructed to take off his sandals (Exod. 3:5-6), and as their conversation continues, the text refers to this Commander as the LORD (Josh. 6:2). This indicates that the Commander of the Army of the LORD is a manifestation of God Himself, as angels do not accept worship from men (Rev. 19:10; 22:9)…

Joshua faced a significant challenge as the people of Israel approached the heavily fortified city of Jericho. He needed to be confident that those on Israel’s side were more powerful than those against them! God fights for His people, and a man with a drawn sword symbolizes His presence with Joshua!! For us today, we are aware that there is a spiritual battle being waged between God and Satan. When a person fights alongside God, victory is guaranteed! The Christian soldier is to be equipped with the armor of God (Eph. 6:10-20), while God’s Son serves as the captain of the Christian army (Heb. 2:10)!! Soldiers of Christ, arise. 

Our God, He is Alive (Exod. 3:14)… Dare to stand like Joshua (Josh. 24:15)!