Who was the commander of the army of the LORD in Joshua 5:14?

Joshua 5:14 describes a pivotal encounter between Joshua and the “commander of the army of the LORD” prior to the battle of Jericho. This mysterious figure plays an important role in the conquest of Canaan, yet his identity is debated among scholars. By examining the text closely and considering the broader context, we can gain insight into who this commander might have been.

The Text of Joshua 5:14

Let’s start by looking at the verse itself (Joshua 5:14 ESV):

“And he said, ‘No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.’ And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, ‘What does my lord say to his servant?’”

A few things stand out here. First, this commander identifies himself simply as the leader of “the army of the Lord.” Second, Joshua’s response is to fall down and worship, indicating this is no ordinary figure. The language used suggests a divine manifestation.

The Pre-Incarnate Christ

Many scholars believe the commander was a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ – that is, Christ appearing in human form prior to his incarnation at Bethlehem. There are several reasons for this view:

1. The commander is closely associated with God’s army and Joshua worships him – appropriate only for God.
2. Parallels to other Christophanies (pre-incarnate appearances of Christ) like with Abraham in Genesis 18.
3. In Joshua 6:2, this commander is called “the Lord” indicating his divine identity.
4. As the leader of God’s army, he foreshadows Christ as the divine warrior.

In light of these points, many conclude this was an appearance of the pre-incarnate Christ as the head of the Lord’s army. Just as God led Israel out of Egypt, now the Lord would lead them triumphantly into Canaan.

An Angel of the Lord

Other interpreters stop short of identifying the commander as Christ himself. They point out that “angel of the Lord” is a phrase used interchangeably with “the Lord” in a number of places, like Genesis 16 and Exodus 3. Based on this, they suggest:

1. The commander was an angel closely identified with God’s presence and authority.
2. It was likely a powerful angel such as Michael or Gabriel.
3. Though not Christ, as an angel of the Lord, it was proper for Joshua to worship him.

So in this view, the commander was an angelic messenger specially commissioned to lead the Lord’s army, but not necessarily a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus himself. The angel spoke and acted on God’s authority when interacting with Joshua.

Moses or Joshua

A minority of interpreters argue the commander was a human figure – either Moses or Joshua himself. In favor of Moses, they say:

1. The context implies this takes place before crossing the Jordan after Moses’ death (Joshua 1:2).
2. Yet God buried Moses (Deut 34:6), so he could have appeared from heaven.
3. The commander references “My lord Moses” (Joshua 5:14).

For Joshua, they argue:

1. Joshua mistakes the commander’s identity at first.
2. When told he is commander of the Lord’s army, Joshua realizes who he is speaking to – the Lord Himself.
3. This was Joshua’s commissioning as leader.

While ingenious, these views have little evidence. Nowhere do we find indication the commander was Moses or Joshua. Seeing this as a divine encounter better fits the text.

Examining Claims about the Commander’s Identity

When weighing the various perspectives, several factors help determine the likelihood of each view:

• Divine language used – The commander calls himself “commander of the army of the Lord” and Joshua worships him. This fits much better with a theophany of God or an angel than a human leader.
• Nearness to God’s presence – The commander speaks authoritatively as one closely identified with God’s personal presence. This suggests more than a human prophet.
• Later Scripture – The New Testament uses “angel of the Lord” language in referring to pre-incarnate appearances of Christ (e.g. Acts 7:30-32). This favors seeing the commander as Christ Himself.
• Immediate context – In Joshua 6:2, the commander is called “the Lord” indicating a divine identity, not merely human.

Considering these factors, the evidence strongly favors viewing the commander as a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ or at minimum an angel closely identified with God’s presence and authority.

The Commander of the Lord’s Army and the Conquest of Jericho

Whoever this commander was, he played a vital role in Joshua’s conquest of Canaan, starting with Jericho. After revealing himself, he instructs Joshua on how to take Jericho (Joshua 6:2-5). It was a highly unusual battle plan – marching around the city walls each day for a week.

But Joshua trusted in the commander’s directive, and on the 7th day, they marched around Jericho 7 times. At the climax, the walls miraculously collapsed and Jericho was taken by Israel. This stunning victory was only possible because Joshua obeyed the instructions of the Lord’s commander.

This initial triumph led to further conquests as Israel took control of the Promised Land under Joshua’s leadership. The commander kickstarted this phase of fulfillment of God’s covenant by leading the Lord’s army in power against fortified Jericho. His strategy foreshadowed the ultimate victory through Christ’s death on the cross and resurrection from the dead.

Joshua’s exclusive reliance on the commander models for believers complete faith in the Lord’s plans rather than our own. Often, God’s ways can seem strange and ineffective to human thinking. But as with Joshua, obeying the Lord in faith results in great spiritual breakthrough.

The Identity of the Commander and Implications for Readers

Determining the commander’s identity has several key implications:

• It testifies to God’s personal involvement in leading Israel into Canaan, whether the commander be Christ Himself or an angel closely identified with God’s presence.
• It displays God’s sovereign power and authority as He brings miraculous victory for His people.
• Seeing a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ encourages believers that the Lord has led His people in all ages.
• It provides a picture of the spiritual battle we face, with Christ as our commander.
• Joshua’s worship and obedience remain a model for readers in following the Lord wholeheartedly.

This intriguing episode drives home God’s desire for His people’s total trust and reliance upon Him. Even when facing walled cities, we can have full confidence in the Lord’s commander to lead us forward in faith.

Though debated, the collective evidence favors identifying this commander as the pre-incarnate Christ or an angel closely manifesting God’s presence. In either case, readers are reminded of the Lord’s zeal to guide His people into spiritual victory as they rely on His sovereign authority and power.

Joshua’s Obedience and the Lord’s Provision

This passage provides essential lessons on obeying the Lord’s instructions:

1. Joshua encountered the commander while near Jericho and seeking God’s guidance for conquering the city (Joshua 5:13). The Lord rewards those who diligently seek Him.
2. The Lord provided specific strategy for victory – marching around Jericho for seven days. God equips us through His Word if we listen to Him.
3. Joshua fully obeyed the instructions despite seeming foolishness to human thinking. He aligned his actions with God’s commands.
4. Obedience led to miraculous provision – the walls collapsing. As we obey, God reveals His power and faithfulness.

This passage reminds believers to seek the Lord’s will through Scripture, obey His instructions completely, and wait for His supernatural work and timing. As Joshua shows, faith requires persevering even when God’s methods seem unusual to human thinking.

Principles for Spiritual Warfare

This text provides a model for believers engaged in spiritual battle today:

1. Recognize the reality of spiritual conflict. Like Joshua faced walled Jericho, we have an enemy intent on resisting God’s purposes (Eph 6:12).
2. Seek the Lord’s guidance to understand the specific strongholds and strategies we face rather than devising our own plans.
3. Rely on divine power, not human strength, through persistent prayer and abiding in Christ (John 15:5).
4. Put on the full armor of God, wielding spiritual weapons like Scripture, faith, and the gospel (Eph 6:10-18).
5. Maintain endurance and obedience as God’s people, expect spiritual breakthroughs as we fully obey.

When we follow this pattern modeled by Joshua, the commander of the Lord’s army leads us forward to tear down enemy strongholds and claim new territory for God’s kingdom.

Foreshadowing Christ’s Completed Work

This prophetic episode foreshadows Christ’s finished work in multiple ways:

1. The commander divine appearance previews Christ coming as Immanuel, “God with us” (Matt 1:23).
2. Conquering Jericho by obeying the commander foreshadows victory through obeying Christ.
3. Marching around Jericho mirrors circling our lives around Christ in faith and obedience.
4. The falling walls picture how Christ’s death broke down sin’s barrier between us and God (Eph 2:14).
5. Israel’s victory over Canaan symbolizes Christ’s triumph over Satan’s domain (Col 2:15).

This Christophany should encourage believers that our Savior has eternally led God’s people to victory. Though seemingly powerless, we share in Christ’s authority to tear down strongholds of evil when we walk by faith in Him.

Distinguishing Between God’s Power and Human Strength

This event highlights key differences between divine power and human strength:

1. Human strength relies on physical resources and military strategy, but God’s power works through spiritual means like marching around walls.
2. Human strength often operates through impressive shows of force, while God’s power works through humble acts of faith and obedience.
3. Human strength requires visible, physical weapons like swords or spears. God’s power utilizes unseen spiritual weapons like prayer, truth, righteousness, and the gospel.
4. Human strength depends on numbers and ability, but God’s power flows to the weak who rely fully on Him.

The fall of Jericho distinguishes the Lord’s power from man’s strength. This passage calls readers to trust fully in divine rather than human resources. Our spiritual battles are won through faith in Christ’s finished work, not self-reliance.

Applications for Readers’ Lives Today

Here are key applications from this text for believers’ lives:

• Look to Christ, not self, as Commander who orders our steps and leads us into spiritual victory.
• Allow God’s Word to reveal where we must tear down enemy strongholds in obedience to Him.
• Rely on prayer to seek the Lord’s guidance rather than worldly wisdom.
• Persevere in faith and worship even when spiritual warfare intensifies.
• Obey God’s instructions completely, don’t hold back areas of our lives from His Lordship.

This encounter teaches total reliance on the Commander of the Lord’s army for victory. When we walk by faith in Christ, no walled cities can stand before the advance of God’s kingdom.

Conclusion

In summary, Joshua 5:14 provides a pivotal moment in Israel’s conquest of Canaan. While the commander’s identity is debated, the context indicates a divine manifestation, likely of the pre-incarnate Christ. This commander directs Joshua in the Lord’s unusual strategy for vanquishing Jericho, resulting in a miraculous victory by faith. This event established God’s supernatural power and served as a paradigm for spiritual conquest as believers obey Christ, our Commander. It distinguishes divine authority and resources from human means and strength. Joshua’s example calls readers to seek the Lord wholly and follow His instructions despite seeming foolishness. As we walk in obedience to our Commander, He leads us to tear down strongholds and claim new territory for God’s kingdom.