Joshua 5:13-15
Commander of the LORD's Army
13Now 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?”
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?”
15The Commander of the LORD’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.
Berean Standard Bible
Joshua is near Jericho when he sees a man standing before him with a drawn sword. Joshua approaches and asks whether the man is for Israel or for its enemies. The question is understandable. Israel is about to fight, and Joshua wants to know where this figure stands.
The answer redirects the question. “Neither,” the man says, identifying himself as commander of the army of the LORD. He does not offer Joshua a divine endorsement for whatever strategy Joshua already prefers. He announces a higher authority that Joshua must recognize.
Joshua falls facedown and asks what his lord wants to say. The commander tells him to remove his sandals because the place where he is standing is holy. The scene echoes God's earlier meetings with Moses, connecting Joshua's leadership to the same holy presence that called his predecessor.
The passage ends before Joshua receives a detailed battle plan. Before Jericho's walls fall, Joshua must learn that the central issue is not whether God has joined Joshua's side. Joshua must bow before the holy commander and receive his place under God's command.
How We Know
The wider biblical record gives this unit a responsible setting. Joshua records Israel's entry, settlement, and covenant life in continuity with Deuteronomy and the Pentateuch. Later books such as Judges and 1 Chronicles assume the people, land allotments, and places named here. Those internal cross-checks do not settle every archaeological question, but they show that Joshua 5:13-15 is part of a sustained historical and covenant record.
Questions
1 What does Joshua see near Jericho?
AnswerHe sees a man standing before him with a drawn sword, ready for the conflict surrounding Jericho.
2 How does the man answer Joshua's question about sides?
AnswerHe answers “Neither,” identifying himself as the leader of the LORD's heavenly forces rather than a supporter of Joshua's agenda.
3 How does Joshua respond to the commander?
AnswerJoshua falls facedown and asks what his lord wants to say, placing himself in a posture of submission.
4 Why must Joshua remove his sandals?
AnswerThe ground is holy because of God's presence, so Joshua must approach with reverence rather than ordinary confidence.
What This Means for Us
It is easy to ask whether God is on our side while avoiding the harder question of whether we are under His authority. Joshua's encounter interrupts that self-centered way of thinking.
Before asking God to bless a plan, let your household ask what obedience, humility, and reverence the plan requires. God is not a decoration added to our preferred battles.
Prayer
Holy God, correct our desire to recruit You for our plans. Teach us to bow before Your authority, listen before acting, and carry responsibility with reverence. Amen.