◄ Joshua 5:14 ►
"Neither," He replied. "I have now come as Commander of the LORD's army." Then Joshua fell facedown in reverence and asked Him, "What does my Lord have to say to His servant?" Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Joshua 5:14? 2. How does Joshua 5:14 demonstrate the importance of recognizing God's authority in life? 3. What does "commander of the LORD's army" reveal about God's role in battles? 4. How can we apply Joshua's response to God's presence in our daily lives? 5. How does Joshua 5:14 connect with other instances of divine encounters in Scripture? 6. What lessons can we learn from Joshua's humility and obedience in this passage? 7. Who is the "commander of the LORD's army" in Joshua 5:14? 8. How does Joshua 5:14 relate to the concept of divine authority? 9. What is the significance of Joshua's response in Joshua 5:14? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Joshua 5? 11. What are key events in Joshua's life? 12. Joshua 5:13-15: What evidence supports a divine 'commander' appearing to Joshua, and how does this align with other biblical accounts of angelic encounters? 13. How does Joshua 23:5's promise of complete conquest align with later biblical texts showing ongoing battles and incomplete occupation of Canaan? 14. How does the crossing in Joshua 3 compare with contradictory or differing accounts of water-parting miracles elsewhere in the Bible? Discussion Questions 1. How does Joshua's encounter with the commander of the LORD’s army challenge our understanding of leadership and authority in our lives? 2. In what ways can we demonstrate reverence and submission to God in our daily routines, similar to Joshua's response? 3. Reflect on a time when you felt God's presence in a personal "battle." How did this experience shape your faith? 4. How can we actively seek God's guidance in decision-making, and what practices can help us discern His voice? 5. Considering the commander's response of "Neither," how can we ensure that our actions and decisions align with God's purposes rather than our own agendas? Joshua 5 Bible Study Questions 1. How does the fear of the Amorite and Canaanite kings reveal the power of God’s actions? 2. How might the act of circumcision act as a symbol of commitment and renewal in this context? 3. Why do you think Joshua needed to circumcise the sons of Israel again? How does this relate to spiritual rebirth or renewal? 4. What do you make of the fact that those born in the wilderness were not initially circumcised? What does this say about the relationship between faith, obedience, and rituals? 5. How does the phrase "their hearts melted and their spirits failed" demonstrate the psychological impact of God's miracles? 6. In what ways do we see God disciplining the Israelites for their disobedience? How does this apply to us today? 7. What significance does the healing period after circumcision hold in terms of spiritual rest and preparation? 8. How does the cessation of the manna reflect on the change of the Israelites' situation? 9. What does the phrase “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you” symbolize in terms of spiritual liberation and moving forward? 10. Why was the Passover celebrated in the new land and how does this celebration reflect the faithfulness of God? 11. How can we interpret Joshua's encounter with the Commander of the LORD’s army in terms of recognizing divine authority? 12. How does the cessation of manna and the beginning of eating the crops of the land symbolize transition and dependence on God’s provision? 13. What can we learn from Joshua's immediate obedience when he's told to remove his sandals? 14. How does the act of Joshua falling facedown in reverence apply to our approach to God in prayer and worship? 15. Why do you think the figure Joshua encounters identifies as neither for Joshua nor his enemies? 16. How does this passage demonstrate the balance between God's provision (like manna), and the necessity for human effort (eating the produce of the land)? 17. How does this passage contribute to our understanding of God’s guidance throughout the transition periods in our lives? 18. How does "the place where you are standing is holy" change our perspective of encountering God in our everyday lives? 19. How does the story of the Israelites wandering in the wilderness and then finally entering the promised land mirror our spiritual journeys? 20. How can the concept of being circumcised "again" apply to our spiritual lives in terms of repentance and restoration? Links Joshua 5:14 NIV Joshua 5:14 NLT Joshua 5:14 ESV Joshua 5:14 NASB Joshua 5:14 KJV Joshua 5:14 Commentaries Bible Hub