Theophany: The Captain of the Host of the LORD appears to Joshua
- Ken Kalis
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
“He said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come.” — Joshua 5:14
A captain is a man of action, the one who takes the role, assigns the tasks, and leads the action.
This is exactly what the Captain of the hosts of the LORD does here with Joshua.
And this is just what Jesus did when He came to earth to save us from our sins.
Jesus did one spectacular extra, He gave His life on the crossof Calvary. Why?
For it became him... to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. - Hebrews 2:10
Introduction: A Holy Visitor on the Edge of War
Israel had crossed the Jordan. The wilderness wanderings were over. Jericho’s walls loomed ahead—massive, ancient, impossible.
Joshua, the seasoned commander, walked alone near the city, studying its defenses, planning strategy… yet burdened with the weight of leadership.
Then suddenly—He was not alone.
A Man stood opposite him, sword drawn. Joshua stepped forward with the courage of a servant of God:
“Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?” — Joshua 5:13
The answer was neither expected nor categorized:
“Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come.”
Joshua fell on his face. He knew instantly: this was no mere angel. This was the Commander of Heaven’s Armies—the pre-incarnate Christ.
Another theophany. Another moment when God Himself came down.
1. Christ Comes as Commander, Not Consultant
The Man with the drawn sword did not come to assist Joshua. He came to command him.
Joshua asked, “What saith my lord unto his servant?”
The answer was not military strategy.It was something deeper, more essential:
“Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy.” — Joshua 5:15
Before battle comes worship. Before strategy comes submission. Before victory comes holiness.
2. The Drawn Sword: A Sign of Both Judgment and Protection
This Captain did not carry His sword idly.
His sword would soon bring down Jericho’s walls—not through might, but through obedience.
This same heavenly Warrior later destroyed:
The Assyrian host in Hezekiah’s day (185,000 in a night)
The armies of Egypt in the Red Sea
The wicked in the visions of Isaiah and Revelation
Christ is Lamb, yes—but also Lord of Hosts.
Israel needed to see this before entering Canaan:God was not their mascot—He was their Commander.
3. The True Joshua Meets the Earthly Joshua
The name Joshua (Yehoshua) means “The LORD is salvation.”
Here, the earthly Joshua meets the eternal One whose name he shared:
Joshua led Israel into the promised land.
Jesus leads His people into the promised rest.
Joshua fought earthly battles.
Jesus conquers sin, death, and hell itself.
This is why Joshua worshiped.Not one angel in Scripture ever accepts worship—but this Captain did.
Because He is the LORD.
4. Holiness Before Battle
The command to remove Joshua’s sandals echoes Moses at the burning bush:
Same Presence
Same holiness
Same God
Joshua needed to know that the coming victory would not be achieved by:
Israel’s strength
Israel’s wisdom
Israel’s numbers
Israel’s weapons
But by God alone.
Holiness is always the preparation for service.
Before Jericho fell, Joshua fell at the feet of Christ.
5. Application for Us Today
You and I face our own “Jerichos”:
Temptation
Family burdens
Financial strain
Illness
Spiritual battles
Uncertain futures
And the Lord still comes—not as our assistant, but as our Commander.
He comes:
With a drawn sword
With authority
With holiness
With direction
With power
Joshua’s question becomes ours:
“What saith my Lord unto His servant?”
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, Captain of the host of the LORD,Teach us submission before battle,Holiness before responsibility,And worship before strategy.Lead us, fight for us, and make us strong in Your strength alone.Amen.
Coming Next Monday
Theophany #43: “A Human Angel?” — God’s Message to Gideon (Judges 2 & 6)A frightened man hiding in a winepress…A heavenly visitor who looks strangely human…A call that changes the fate of Israel.
Don’t miss it.
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A call for loyal soldiers
Comes to one and all;
Soldiers for the conflict,
Will you heed the call?
Will you answer quickly,
With a ready cheer,
Will you be enlisted
As a volunteer?
Refrain
A volunteer for Jesus,
A soldier true!
Others have enlisted,
Why not you?
Jesus is the Captain,
We will never fear,
Will you be enlisted
As a volunteer?
Yes, Jesus calls for soldiers
Who are filled with pow’r,
Soldiers who will serve Him
Ev’ry day and hour;
He will not forsake you,
He is ever near;
Will you be enlisted
As a volunteer? Refrain
He calls you, for He loves you
With a heart most kind,
He Whose heart was broken,
Broken for mankind;
Now, just now, He calls you,
Calls in accents clear,
Will you be enlisted
As a volunteer? Refrain
And when the war is over,
And the vict’ry won,
When the true and faithful
Gather one by one,
He will crown with glory
All who there appear;
Will you be enlisted
As a volunteer? Refrain
Words: W. S. Brown, 1907.
Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 2Tim 2:3-4
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