Joshua 5:15
When I think about armies, all I am familiar with is the US Army. I am embarrassed to say that my knowledge of the US Army is very elementary. I’ve read books, seen movies and known a few people who have served so I have a basic understanding of some of the training a person must go through to become a part of the Army, but I can’t list the order of ranks properly without using Google. I do know that each rank requires individuals to know and accomplish a list of criteria before they can be considered for the next rank. Each rank brings more respect because more skill, training, discipline and experience are required to earn the next rank.
In our verse today, Joshua is the leader, the commander of Israel. The Israelites had been traveling in the desert for 40 years, being cared for and fed by God. As the time arrived for them to go into the new land that God had promised them 40 years earlier, God had them celebrate Passover together. The very next day, the Israelites began to eat unleavened bread and roasted grain harvested from the promised land. No manna appeared on that first day and it was never seen again. Joshua was so filled with awe for God after these events that he fell face down to the ground in reverence and said to God, “ I am at your command, what do you want your servant to do?” Joshua 5:15 says, “The Commander of the Lord’s Army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did as he was told. (Removing one’s shoes was a cultural way of showing respect)
Joshua had a high earthly rank. He was the leader of an entire country. He had tough orders and was assigned a long tour of duty. He was supposed to keep God’s people faithful to God’s ways while they were wondering through a desert without homes or regular food, basically waiting for a generation of Israelites to die off. Joshua was faithful in leading God’s people for over 40 years in extremely hard conditions. He accomplished his mission. Even though Joshua was Israel’s leader, he was outranked by God. God was and is the absolute leader! Joshua recognized this and was so overcome with awe and respect for God that he fell on his face before God. Have you ever been there? Have you ever literally fallen on your face before God because of who He is?
The Commander of the Lord’s Army, the ultimate and absolute leader of every living thing deserves all of our respect, reverence and awe. In our attitudes and actions we should be recognizing God’s power, authority and His deep love for us. Our response to God should be like Joshua’s, “I am yours, what do You want me to do?” I am wondering today if you can think back over your life and remember a time where God undeniably changed your personal circumstances. Can you name a time when He intervened and caused the outcome to change for you? See, I think we have to be looking for His work in our lives. If we aren’t paying attention, we can miss His handy-work. He loves us and wants His best for us. He is willing to enter our lives to protect and rescue us, and sometimes to change, shape and mold us to be more like Him. Some of His work doesn’t feel fun or even productive at the time, but as we walk through the teaching and get to the other side of His shaping we can see that He is building our character, growing us and making us look more like He does. The best part is that His work is perfection! He will never aim us in the wrong direction or lead us to something that is not good for us. He is perfectly trustworthy and completely looking out for our good. We can find this nowhere else in life. Even those who love us best will miss direct or guide with ulterior motives every now and again. I am in awe of God’s love, perfection, trustworthiness, and willingness to work in my messy heart. I’m asking Him to help me stay willing to “be His and seek out what he wants me to do”.