Topical Bible: Angel (A Spirit): Appearances of To Joshua, "The Captain of the Lord's Host"

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In the biblical narrative, angels are often depicted as messengers and servants of God, carrying out His divine will and interacting with humanity at pivotal moments. One significant appearance of an angel is found in the Book of Joshua, where the angel is identified as "The Captain of the Lord's Host."

Biblical Account:

The encounter between Joshua and the angel occurs as the Israelites are preparing to conquer the city of Jericho. In Joshua 5:13-15 , the text describes this profound meeting:

"Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua approached him and asked, 'Are you for us or for our enemies?' 'Neither,' he replied. 'I have now come as the 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?' The commander of the LORD’s army replied, 'Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.' And Joshua did so."

Interpretation and Significance:

This encounter is rich with theological significance. The figure Joshua meets is not merely an angelic being but is described as the "commander of the LORD’s army," indicating a high-ranking celestial figure, possibly a theophany—a manifestation of God Himself. The command to remove sandals echoes the divine encounter Moses had at the burning bush (Exodus 3:5), suggesting the presence of God.

The angel's response, "Neither," to Joshua's question about allegiance underscores the notion that God's purposes transcend human conflicts and alignments. The angel's presence signifies divine authority and assurance that the forthcoming battles are under God's sovereign control.

Theological Implications:

This appearance emphasizes the holiness and sovereignty of God in the affairs of His people. It reassures Joshua of divine support and guidance as Israel embarks on the conquest of the Promised Land. The encounter also serves as a reminder of the need for reverence and obedience to God's commands.

Conclusion:

The appearance of the angel to Joshua as "The Captain of the Lord's Host" is a powerful testament to God's active involvement in the history of His people. It highlights the spiritual reality that undergirds physical events and the ultimate authority of God over all creation. This encounter calls believers to trust in God's leadership and to recognize His holiness in their own lives.

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Joshua 5:15
And the captain of the LORD's host said to Joshua, Loose your shoe from off your foot; for the place where on you stand is holy. And Joshua did so.
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Library

The victory of Faith
... to his voice, "Tis even as if an angel shook his ... die, you will always have fresh
appearances of the ... itself cannot accomplish without the attendant Spirit of God ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the victory of faith.htm

Christ --Perfect through Sufferings
... Jesus knew it; fickle as it is in its various appearances"Protean as ... "If some angel
would come ... Christ cast him away; or one in whom the new spirit was infused ...
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Of Eternal and Temporal Nature.
... for the birth of the Son and Holy Spirit in it ... So that in all the appearances of
fire, even in earthly things ... the inward man makes all that is the angel, and all ...
/.../law/an appeal to all that doubt/of eternal and temporal nature.htm

The Desire of the Righteous Granted;
... Nay, was he not ready to give the lie to the angel, when he told him God was with
him? ... Hear me speedily, O Lord,' saith he, 'my spirit faileth; hide not thy ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the desire of the righteous.htm

To Pammachius against John of Jerusalem.
... from the Old Testament (29-32), and discussing the appearances of our ... whereas it
was formerly called a demon, or angel of Satan, or spirit of fornication ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/to pammachius against john of.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... and the tiny blast of rams'-horns (Joshua 6:20 ... a sentence fell with weight upon his
spirit"'Look at ... confronted with that 'grim-faced one, the Captain Past-hope ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
... the pattern of all that he had by the spirit, of the ... offered up Isaac; there where
David met the angel of the ... gave the land of Canaan to his people (Joshua 9:22 ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/solomons temple spiritualized.htm