Jos 5:13-15 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Josh 5:13-15: 5:13-15 The commander of the Lord ’s army gave Joshua instructions for conducting the siege of Jericho (6:2-5 ). Like God’s earlier message to Joshua (1:1-9 ), this encounter was to encourage Joshua on the eve of action against the enemy. 5:13 Joshua was scouting the land and the city’s defenses near the town of Jericho to follow up on the report of the two spies (2:23-24 ). Joshua demonstrated personal courage when he approached the unknown figure whose sword was already drawn.

a5:13-15►

b6:2-5►

c1:1-9►

d5:13►

e2:23-24►

f5:14►

gRev 22:8-9►

hActs 10:25-26►

i5:15►

jExod 3:5►

‏ Joshua 5:13-15

Summary for Josh 5:13-15: 5:13-15 ^a The commander of the Lord’s army gave Joshua instructions for conducting the siege of Jericho (6:2-5 ^b). Like God’s earlier message to Joshua (1:1-9 ^c), this encounter was to encourage Joshua on the eve of action against the enemy. 5:13 ^d Joshua was scouting the land and the city’s defenses near the town of Jericho to follow up on the report of the two spies (2:23-24 ^e). Joshua demonstrated personal courage when he approached the unknown figure whose sword was already drawn.
5:14 ^f Joshua fell with his face to the ground in reverence when he understood who stood before him. Joshua’s action demonstrated that he was available for God’s service, wholeheartedly and without reservation.

• Scholars disagree whether the commander was an appearance of God, the pre-incarnate Christ, or an angel. His reference to himself as commander of the Lord’s army might imply that he was an angel. However, he did not prevent Joshua from worshiping him, as angels usually did (e.g., Rev 22:8-9 ^g; cp. Acts 10:25-26 ^h).
5:15 ⁱ Take off your sandals, for the place ... is holy: This was what God told Moses at the burning bush (Exod 3:5 ^j). Joshua certainly recognized the similarity. This encounter would have encouraged Joshua of God’s blessing on Israel’s first action against Canaan.