A Word From The Word

Joshua 5:13-15

While reading a powerful sermon recently in the Life Action publication, Heart-Cry for Revival, about the battle of Jericho, I was arrested by the author’s question, When will the walls fall? He accurately saw the falling of the walls as a portrait of revival. He then proceeded to point out many things from the outset of crossing the Jordan until the walls fell that had to take place before the walls would fall. Each of theses steps is likened to what the church must do before the walls fall before her in great revival.

Among those crucial steps the most significant was Joshua’s encounter with the unseen Captain on the eve of that great battle. As we examine this holy ground experience, note, first of all:

I. The Desperation of a Bewildered Man

Standing immediately before him were the seemingly impenetrable walls of the bastion of Jericho. Observe:

A. The Opposition that Was Ominous Joshua goes out to reconnoiter. He must be wondering what it will take to capture this apparently impregnable city. Behind them the Jordan barred their retreat, in front of them Jericho forbade their advance. The task seemed impossible because of the:

1. Unbelievable Odds

The walled fortress that was Jericho had never lost a battle. They had turned many a more worthy assailant away in defeat and disgrace. Most of the Jewish people had never even seen a fortified city. They had no experience as well as no engines for such a siege.

2. Untested Troops

This rag-tag army of Israel is comprised of recently released slaves who have been wandering in the wilderness for forty years. They have no training or experience for such an assignment.

3. Untried Leaders Joshua has just picked up the mantle of Moses. As their new leader Joshua faces his first major crisis. How will he respond filling such large shoes? But additionally they faced:

B. The Operation that Was Arduous

Everything about the challenge of Jericho seemed to scream, No way! Turn back, you fool! There’s no hope! This first battle would be followed by many others as Israel will possess her land. The journey will be long and hard. Perhaps you are today facing a problem in your life that defies all human reasoning and solution. Remember: God specializes in things thought impossible. He does the things others cannot do is the answer of a chorus we sang as teenagers! Next, observe:

II. The Illumination of a Bold Man

Suddenly Joshua’s quiet reconnaissance was jarred by the appearance of a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand (v.13). Joshua boldly asks, Art thou for us or for our adversaries (v.13)? In this stirring encounter Joshua would see:

A. The Revelation of the Impartiality of God

The man answered, Nay! Joshua had to learn that his initial problem was not with Jericho but with Jesus! We have the right to assume that God is on our side only when we have made sure that we are on God’s side! Years later Azariah will articulate this truth to King Asa saying, The Lord is with you while ye be with Him (II Chronicles 15:2).

How comforting to see that the Lord Himself takes part in the fight. All the armies charging against any form of sin will find at their head moving the form of the Son of God.

Jesus said, He that is not with Me is against Me. There is no neutrality in this warfare. Put yourself under His orders and He will be on your side!!!

B. The Revelation of the Superiority of God

The Man identified Himself as the Captain of the Host of the Lord. He is our Lord Sabaoth, leading an unseen vast army invisible to the human eye, that surrounds the throne of God from all eternity and is ever ready to obey. Jacob saw it when he came back from exile (Gen. 32:1-2). Elisha saw it when trapped by the armies of Syria (II Kings 6:13-17). Jesus spoke of a legion of angels at His behest. This is surely the power which it is madness to resist. Shall our hearts yield to fear when we know that such forces are fighting on our side. Note and compare Isaiah 54:17 and II Corinthians 10:4. Then there follows:

III. The Confrontation of a Believing Man

In Joshua’s response to this revelation we see his:

A. Recognition of the Unworthiness of Man

Joshua fell on his face, the only appropriate posture and response for a man who finds himself in the presence of God on holy ground! Just as God told his predecessor, Moses, to take his shoes off (Ex. 3:5) so now, Joshua is told the same (v.15) as he falls on his face before God. When Job met God he declared, ...I abhor myself (Job 42:5-6). When Isaiah met the Lord he exclaimed, Woe is me, for I am undone (Isa. 6:5). When Ezekiel met the Lord, he said, ...when I saw...I fell on my face…(Ez. 1:28). When John received the revelation of the returning Lord he fell at His feet as dead (Rev. 1:17). The revelations of the glory of God drives one to recognize his utter unworthiness. Even so, fall down! Fall! Fall down!!!

B. Resignation to the Will of God

Joshua asked obediently What saith my Lord unto His servant (v. 14)? We must likewise rend our hearts and not our garment, falling before Him ever ready to obey His every command. Samuel was finally told by Eli to respond to the One who continued to speak to him by saying, Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth (I Sam. 3:10). The blinded Saul of Tarsus cried out, Lord, what will Thou have me to do (Acts 9:6)?

The reassessment of his task was to be followed by the readjustment of his life, and then and only then, did the Lord come to deal with Jericho. Now Joshua is ready for the details from God for the battle. Now he is ready to hear and implement a rather strange and absurd battle plan. Now he is ready to see the walls fall! And fall they did! The walls came tumbling down.

Throughout the history of revival, in every real touch of God, there was a man or several men who, locked up with God and broken by God, came fresh from such an encounter with God to become a catalyst for revival. Will you purpose with me to be a man like that, harnessed with Him for the singular purpose of revival in the Lord’s church?