He replied, “Neither; but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and he said to him, “What do you command your servant, my lord?”
Throughout the Old Testament we get glimpses of the coming Messiah, the Lord Jesus. He has existed from eternity and has made Himself available throughout time. There are many OT passages that reveal some aspect of His being and purpose. This particular one, where He stands in all of His armor before Joshua, God’s earthly commander, displays a side of Jesus that I think we often overlook or maybe shy away from. Now, I am not a man of strength or confrontation in any form. Facing enemies and fighting is simply not a part of my makeup. I’m a runner not a fighter. However, this passage makes it clear to me that Lord Jesus is not a runner in the face of His enemies. He is not only a fighter, He is the Commander of the army of God. His coming to earth as the Son of Man brought the fullness of God to flesh and a part of His purpose was to lead the armies of God against evil.
He came among us as a baby and then grew into The Man of God. He himself clearly stated that He did not come to bring peace but a sword. He came to make war against evil. He came to defeat the enemy of our souls, the evil one. People today are talking about love and peace, yet, there are many practices taking prominence around us that are simply evil that we are called to hate. This is war! We don’t cower behind some flimsy, effeminate leader. We march with the Commander of the army of YHWH, the LORD. The kingdom of Heaven is advancing and we are in step with its King. He came among us in weakness and obscurity but He lived a life of strength and prominence. His return will be even more public and profound for He will return as a Warrior King on a white horse to finally win the war against evil and reign for eternity.
My friends, there are some things in this life that deserve our hatred. ‘Hate evil. Cling to what is good.’ Romans 12.9. We serve the Commander of the Lord’s army. He leads us in battle against the dark forces in the heavenly realms and their minions and followers here on earth. He hates evil and will bring justice to bear on it and those who practice it. March in lock step with this Commander. Keep yourself ‘from being polluted by the world’ James 1.27. Put on the full armor of God and submit yourself to King Jesus. Fall on your face before Him. Remove the evil from your life. Walk in His holiness. There’s a war around us and we serve in the ranks of the One who wins. Be not afraid He has overcome the world.
Revelation 19:11-16
Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse! Its rider is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems; and he has a name inscribed that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, wearing fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron; he will tread the wine press of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name inscribed, “King of kings and Lord of lords.”
Praise God!
Ventanas 