One morning a friend of mine, an avid golfer, couldn’t “play through” because the guy ahead of him was busy talking on the phone. My friend straightforwardly told him to go back to the office if he didn’t have time to golf. The guy apologized, hung up and got to it. They kept visiting and he turned out to be Carson Palmer, the three-time pro-bowl NFL quarterback. By the 18th hole they were laughing together and my friend was surprised to find people waiting there to get Palmer’s autograph.
We frequently make assumptions about others because we are naturally so self-focused. Such was the case with the leader of Israel in Joshua chapter five. By any measure Joshua is a “big deal” in the Bible. He was the righthand man to Moses and his eventual successor. He was one of only two men from the generation that was saved in the exodus that was allowed to enter the Promised Land. And the phrase “Joshua, son of Nun” is recorded in the Bible 29 times!
This champion of the people was outside Jericho when he came across another Man with a drawn sword. Joshua pressed Him, “Are You for us or for our adversaries?” Joshua assumed those were the only two options. His only two categories were in relation to himself. “Are you with me or against me?”
The Warrior’s response summarily dismantled Joshua’s perspective. “No; but I am the Commander of the army of the LORD. Now I have come.” The answer to Joshua’s with me/against me question was “No.” “No, Joshua, you are not the point of reference.” At these words Joshua “fell on his face to the earth and worshiped.”
The engagement at Jericho was to be the first military conflict Israel had experienced, and the army consisted of men that grew up wandering in a wilderness. Perhaps Joshua was walking alone because he was anxious over the impending battle. All eyes were on him, and he was responsible for the lives of hundreds of thousands of people!
If true, then the Yahweh-Warrior’s response to Joshua makes more sense. First, by implication, He assured Joshua that God was on his side. After bowing down in worship, Joshua asked, “What does my Lord say to His servant?” “The Commander of the LORD’S army said to Joshua, ‘Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.’ And Joshua did so.” This was a repeat of what Moses had experienced at the burning bush. God pointed to His own identity. “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” In the original exchange with Moses, God proceeded to assure him that they would be delivered, and in these few words He indirectly said the same to Joshua. God is his Deliverer. I AM is enough.
Second, the Commander’s response pointed back to the direct promise given to Joshua at his commissioning.
No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. (Josh. 1:5–6)
Joshua had understandable reasons to be anxious, but God gave him a visual reminder that He is an active warrior, and not a passive observer. Earlier God told Joshua explicitly, “I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.” Later, “And the wall fell down flat.”
Like Joshua, you may have rational reasons for anxiety. However, you have even more reason for hope and assurance. The comforting words, “Now I have come” apply to you more than it did to him. You know the identity of the Messiah and you are inhabited by the Holy Spirit.
As you consider your hardships, do not reduce your perspective to some form of “is God with me or against me?” There are two too many “me’s” in that question. When faced with difficulties, fall on your face to the earth, worship God and ask, “What does my Lord say to His servant?” Then take comfort in His identity, that He is an active warrior and that He keeps His promises to all generations. In fact, the same words God told Joshua at his commissioning, He applied to you at yours. “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb. 13:5). In His timing and in His way, He will cause the wall to fall down flat.