Connect360: Holy Ground

  |  Source: GC2 Press

Lesson 5 in the Connect360 unit “How Great Is Our God: Passing the Faith Along” focuses on Joshua 5:13-15; 6:1-5.

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  • Lesson 5 in the Connect360 unit “How Great Is Our God: Passing the Faith Along” focuses on Joshua 5:13-15; 6:1-5.

Joshua was getting ready to lead Israel into the biggest battle they had faced since crossing over the Jordan. The city of Jericho was built to withstand any siege. Joshua’s mind had to be spinning as he looked at Jericho in the distance wondering what they would need to do in order to defeat this great city.

As his mind was going over battle plans, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a sword in his hand. He asked the man, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” It was an odd question to ask one man standing between the city that is about to be attacked and 600,000 invading Israelites.

 The answer the man gave was unexpected. His reply was “neither.” This meant he was not there to fight an earthly battle. He was there on a spiritual mission, and we find out in the next verse why he was sent.

He identified himself as the Commander of the Army of the Lord. Upon hearing this, Joshua fell face down on the ground in reverence to this man and whom he represented. Joshua then asked him what message he had for him from God. Joshua knew God would not send someone of this significance without some kind of message.

Notice in this verse Joshua used the term “servant” when referring to himself. This shows Joshua understood his standing before God. Joshua took a physical position of humility before God by falling face down and a spiritual one through calling himself a “servant” of God. He was ready to hear the message God was sending him through the Commander of His Army.

In spite of all the preparations Jericho had made behind its fortified walls, God made a promise to Joshua. God told Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands.” God knew what was going to happen, even though all Joshua could see was a locked-down, fortified city. God knew the walls of Jericho would come crashing down in seven days, and God would deliver this great city, their king, and all the fighting men over to Joshua and Israel. All God asked for in return for this promise was obedience from his chosen people.

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