Josué 5
David Guzik · Citado em PreceptAustin
Josué 5
Guzik on Gilgal - The city of Gilgal became a beachhead and camp for Israel in their conquest of Canaan.They returned there after battle and remembered, finding strength in the remembrance of the memorial, their obedience, and their redemption.i. It is good to have a place like Gilgal in our life.This is a place where we first come into God’s promises, a place of memorial, a place of obedience and redemption. (Joshua 5 Commentary) Warren
Josué 5
Guzik points out that "God always provides; but He is perfectly free to change the source of His provision from time to time.We need to trust in Him, not in His manner of provision, or we will stumble when that changes." (Joshua 5 Commentary) Campbell draws attention to the lovingkindness of Yahweh noting that "God did not discontinue the manna when Israel despised it (Num. 11:6), or even when the unbelieving generation turned away from Kadesh Barnea and wandered in the trackless wilderness. At least for the sake of their children He continued to give it, till they grew and entered the land of promise." (The Bible Knowledge Commentary Old Testament or Here) So that the sons of Israel no longer had manna, but they ate some of the yield of the land of Canaan during that year. - On the day after Passover, the manna ceased; and thus ended a forty-year miracle (Ex16). If the Passover reminded the Jews of their redemption from Egypt, the manna reminded them of their desire to go back to Egypt! “Would to God we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full” (Ex16:3). God fed His people the bread of heaven, the food of the angels (Ps78:23-25); and yet they still lusted for the food of Egypt (Nu11:4-9). God easily took His people out of Egypt, but it was difficult for Him to take Egypt out of His people. God was saying in essence to His Children “You’ve crossed the river and are now in your inheritance. Don’t look back and desire the things of Egypt or the wilderness. Let God feed you and satisfy you with the harvest in the inheritance.” Alan Redpath - There are two further lessons that we must learn at Gilgal before we can start a warfare against the enemy. We have learned thus far that Gilgal was a place of remembrance and resurrection. It was also a place of renunciation and of restoration where fellowship with God was renewed. Now I want to show you from these verses in Joshua that it is yet further a place of realization and of revelation. "And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year." (Joshua 5:12). Lange's Commentary - God usually performs no miracles when one can have natural means to accomplish something, and then He points us to the ordinary way of subsistence and toil; He will bless that and will support us therein. Therefore, Christian, sing, pray, and go on in God's ways. Keathley - what was the manna? It was a supernatural gift for the desert journey, but it was not food for the land of promise. From now on, in keeping with their possession of their land, God would supply food through natural means, which is God’s normal means of supply. When we walk with the Lord, when we focus on Him and live obediently, we are able to appropriate and taste of His goodness. Miracles like the manna are exceptions to the rule, special provisions for special purposes. While the Lord is always able to work supernatural miracles at will, we should not expect them nor should we be disappointed or think something is wrong with our walk when we do not experience them. A W
Josué 5
Guzik - The response of the Man is curious, almost elusive. “No” was not a proper answer for Joshua’s question.. In a sense, the Man refuses to answer Joshua’s question because it is not the right question, and it is not the most important question to be asked at the time.. The question really wasn’t if the LORD was on Joshua’s side. The proper question was if Joshua was on the LORD’s side. (Joshua 5 Commentary) To Abraham the pilgrim, the Lord came as a Traveler to share in a friendly meal (Ge 18:1-8). To Jacob the schemer, He came as a Wrestler to bring him to the place of submission (Ge 32:24-32). The three Hebrew men met Him as their Companion in the furnace of fire (Da 3:25), and Joshua met Him as the Captain of the Lord’s armies. Our Lord always comes to us when we need Him and in the way we need Him. It must have been a great encouragement to Joshua to realize that he was not alone (Jos 1:5,9, Dt 31:6; Heb 13:5). There is a loneliness to leadership that can be disturbing and even depressing as you realize how much your decisions affect the lives of others. Harry Truman once said "To be President of the United States is to be lonely, very lonely at times of great decisions.” Joshua must have been feeling some of that loneliness. Campbell - What kind of a military force did this divine Commander lead? The “army of the LORD” was surely not limited to the army of Israel though it may have been included. More specifically, it referred to the angelic host, the same “army” of heaven that later surrounded Dothan when Elisha and his servant appeared to be greatly outnumbered by the Aramean army (2 Kings 6:8–17). In the Garden of Gethsemane at the time of His arrest, Jesus referred to this heavenly army when He said that 12 legions of angels were ready to defend Him (Matt. 26:53). In Hebrews 1:14 they are described as “ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation.” Though invisible, they serve and care for God’s children in times of great need. (The Bible Knowledge Commentary Old Testament or Here) And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and bowed down - This happens even before he is told to remove his sandals. THOUGHT -Oh, how we all need a renewed (or maybe even first-time) awareness of His glory. ''There is a dangerous absence of awe and worship in our assemblies today. We are boasting about standing on our own feet, instead of being broken and falling at His feet. For years Evan Roberts prayed:''Bend me! Bend me!'' God answered finally in the form of the GREAT WELSH REVIVAL! Campbell - It seems clear that Joshua was indeed talking to the Angel of the Lord, another appearance in Old Testament times of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself (cf. Joshua 6:2). (The Bible Knowledge Commentary Old Testament or Here) And said to him, "What has my lord to say to his servant: Joshua's response reminds me of young Samuel's "Speak LORD, for Thy servant is listening." (1Sa 3:9), a good response for all God's bondservants! Note that Joshua refers to Him as lord. Note also that Joshua refers to himself, the same using the same Hebrew word used for Moses the servant of the Lord (Joshua 1:1). God had promised to be with Joshua (Josh 1:5, 9), and the people had prayed that the Lord would be with him (Josh 1:17). The enemy knew that God was with Israel (Josh 2:8ff), and Joshua had encouraged his people with this promise (Josh 3:9ff). Joshua was now experiencing the reality of that promise! The Lord met him as Captain of the Lord’s armies, whether in heaven or on earth. “The Lord of hosts [armies] is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge” (Ps 46:7, 11). Joshua would recall the song Israel had sung at the Red Sea: “The Lord is a man of war: the Lord is His name” (Ex 15:3). THOUGHT - Note Joshua's humility in identifying himself as the servant of the Captain of the LORD's host. The Hebrew ebed is used repeatedly to describe Moses and it is translated with doulos. Doulos speaks of submission to one's master The doulos had no life of his own, no will of his own, no purpose of his own and no plan of his own. All was subject to his master. The bond-servant's every thought, breath, and effort was subject to the will of his master. In sum, the picture of a bondservant is one who is absolutely surrendered and totally devoted to his master. Doulos conveys the idea of the slave's close, binding ties w/ his master, belonging to him, obligated (& desirous) to do his will, one who is in a permanent relation of servitude to another, HIS WILL BEING ALTOGETHER CONSUMED IN THE WILL OF THE OTHER (Mt 8:9; 20:27; 24:45, 46). The men God uses are bond-servants see Paul in Ro 1:1, Peter in 2Pe 1:1, James in James 1:1 and Jude in Jude 1:1. Ultimately this is simply imitation of Jesus (1Co 11:1), for as Mark 10:45 says "even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” In Php 2:7 Paul says that Jesus "emptied Himself taking the form of a bond-servant (doulos). And even in eternity future we read an incredible description of Jesus - "Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he comes; truly I say to you, that he will gird himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and will come up and wait on them." (Lk 12:37+). Do you want to be great in God's Kingdom, learn to be the servant of all (Play this old Maranatha chorus). In ministry great public victories are won in private as leaders submit to the Lord and receive their directions from Him. It’s doubtful that anybody in the camp of Israel knew about their leader’s meeting with the Lord, but that meeting made the difference between success and failure on the battlefield. Joshua was also reminded that he was second in command. Every leader is second in command to the Lord Jesus Christ, and when we forget this fact, we start to move toward defeat and failure. The Lord came to Joshua that day, not just to help but to lead. “Without Me you can do nothing” (Jn 15:5). Joshua was an experienced soldier, whom Moses had trained for leadership. Yet that was no guarantee of success. He needed the presence of the Lord God. Hampton Keathley - Verse 14 tells us this man came as the “captain of the hosts of the Lord,” the commander of the Lord’s army. Joshua’s response in verse 14b and the statement of the captain in verse 15 shows this was a theophany, or better, based on the truth of John 1:1-18, it was a Christophany, a manifestation of the preincarnate Christ, who, as the Logos, is the one who reveals God. If this was only a man or an angel, he would certainly have repelled Joshua’s worshipful response (vs. 14). Compare the response of Paul in Acts 14:8-20 to those who wanted to make them into gods and the response of the angel to John in Revelation 19:10. Here then, the preincarnate Christ appears to Joshua to teach and reinforce certain vital truths for God’s people, especially for those in positions of leadership, which really includes all believers to some degree. S A Blackwood - I indeed come now as Captain of the host of the LORD - Surely Israel might now face the foe with unwavering confidence, and sing of victory even before the battle was gained. And so may the Christian. It is to no conflict of uncertain issue that he advances; the result of the battle is not doubtful. The struggle may be severe, the warfare long; he may sometimes, like the pilgrim, be beaten to the ground, and well-nigh lose his sword; but “though cast down” he is “not destroyed.” The Captain of salvation is on his side, and in the midst of sharpest conflict he can say, “Thanks be unto God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Lord (0113) 'adon is a masculine noun meaning lord or master. The most frequent usage is of an earthly lord in excess of 300 times, but it is also used of divinity about 30 times (as here in Joshua 3:11). Generally, it carries the nuances of authority rather than ownership. One of the most notable uses of 'adon is in Psalm 110:1 where David records "The LORD (YAHWEH) says to my (David's) Lord ('adon = THE MESSIAH): “Sit at My right hand Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.” Psalm 110:1 is quoted repeatedly in the NT - Mt 22:44; Mk 12:36; Lk 20:42, Lk 20:43; Acts 2:34, Acts 2:35; Heb 1:13 Servant (05650)('ebed from 'abad = work in any sense) means a slave or bondservant, and is a title of humility for someone in a position of lower authority or stature (whether in relationship to people or to God). Slavery in Israel amounted to indentured servitude. A fellow Israelite could not be held indefinitely against his will. In fact, his time of service was limited to 6 yr (Ex 21:2). The master could be punished if evil intent against the slave was proven (Ex 21:14) or if the slave died (Ex 21:20). These types of servants held a position of honor (Ge 24:2ff; 41:12, 15:2). Summary - 1) slave, servant 1a) slave, servant, man-servant 1b) subjects 1c) servants, worshippers (of God) 1d) servant (in special sense as prophets, Levites etc) 1e) servant (of Israel) 1f) servant (as form of address between equals) Uses of ebed in Joshua - Jos. 1:1; Jos. 1:2; Jos. 1:7; Jos. 1:13; Jos. 1:15; Jos. 5:14; Jos. 8:31; Jos. 8:33; Jos. 9:8; Jos. 9:9; Jos. 9:11; Jos. 9:23; Jos. 9:24; Jos. 10:6; Jos. 11:12; Jos. 11:15; Jos. 12:6; Jos. 13:8; Jos. 14:7; Jos. 18:7; Jos. 22:2; Jos. 22:4; Jos. 22:5; Jos. 24:17; Jos. 24:29; The Captain of the Host of the Lord - Alexander Maclaren "The Angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them" (Ps. 34:7) The vision of the divine presence ever takes the form which our circumstances most require. David's then need was safety and protection. Therefore he saw the Encamping Angel; even as to Joshua the leader He appeared as the Captain of the Lord's host; and as to Isaiah, in the year that the throne of Judah was emptied by the death of the earthly king, was given the vision of the Lord sitting on a throne, the King Eternal and Immortal. So to us all His grace shapes its expression according to our wants, and the same gift is Protean in its power of transformation; being to one man wisdom, to another strength, to the solitary companionship, to the sorrowful consolation, to the glad sobering, to the thinker truth, to the worker practical force--to each his heart's desire, if the heart's delight be God. So manifold are the aspects of God's infinite sufficiency, that every soul, in every possible variety of circumstance, will find there just what will suit it. That armour fits every man who puts it on. That deep fountain is like some of those fabled springs which give forth whatsoever precious draught any thirsty lip asked. He takes the shape that our circumstances most need. Let us see that we, on our parts, use our circumstances to help us in anticipating the shapes in which God will draw near for our help. Joshua 5:14 God’s Plans What do you want your servant to do? (nlt) Joshua 5:14 Today's Scripture & Insight: Joshua 5:13–6:2 An army officer may have an overall plan, but before each battle he has to receive and give out new instructions. Joshua, a leader of the Israelites, had to learn this lesson. After God’s people spent 40 years in the wilderness, God chose Joshua to lead them into the land He had promised to them. The first stronghold they faced was the city of Jericho. Before the battle, Joshua saw the “commander of the Lord’s army” (probably the Lord Himself) standing opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. Joshua fell on his face and worshiped. In other words, he recognized God’s greatness and his own smallness. Then he asked, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?” (Josh. 5:14). Joshua experienced victory at Jericho because he followed the Lord’s instructions. On another occasion, however, Joshua and his people “did not inquire of the Lord” (9:14). As a result, they were deceived into making a peace treaty with the people of Gibeon, enemies in the land of Canaan. This displeased the Lord (vv. 3-26). In what area do you need God’s guidance today? Ask God to lead the way. Spiritual victory comes to those who humble themselves and seek God’s will. George Bush - Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 5 14. And he said, Nay, but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. ‘I am neither Israelite nor Canaanite, neither friend nor foe in your sense of the words, for I am not a mortal man, but as prince and leader of the Lord’s host, of the angels in heaven, and even of that very power of which you are commander, have I now come, to instruct and aid thee in the great undertaking in which thou art engaged.’ There seems to be a peculiar emphasis in the word now (עתה attâh), as if he had said, ‘I who formerly appeared as the Jehovah of the burning bush (Ex. 3.), and who was announced as the tutelary Angel of the travelling hosts (Ex. 23:23), now appear in the different character of the Divine Defender of the covenant nation; and as my presence formerly made Sinai holy (Ex. 19:20), so now doth it sanctify the spot upon which my footsteps tread.’ He probably at the same moment put forth some visible demonstration of his true character, which at once satisfied Joshua, and filled him with an overwhelming sense of his majesty and glory, so that he instinctively fell on his face to the earth, and offered him those tokens of worship which a mortal is bound to pay to his Creator. How much reason he had for this is evident from ch. 6:2, where the august stranger expressly denominates himself Jehovah. What saith my Lord unto his servant? With the profoundest reverence I acknowledge thee as my Lord and leader, I subject myself to thy sovereign will, and humbly wait for the orders it may seem good to thee to issue. Joshua 5:15 The captain of the LORD'S host said to Joshua, "Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy." And Joshua did so. Remove your sandals: Ex 3:5 Ac 7:32,33 2Pe 1:18 Joshua 5 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries JOSHUA WAS ON HOLY GROUND The captain of the LORD'S host said to Joshua - The designation Captain of the LORD's host is repeated. Guzik - The Man announces who He is: Commander of the army of the LORD. This is God Himself pulling rank on Joshua, who himself was a great military leader—but he was not Commander in Chief.. We know that this Being, standing before Joshua, was God. Though the title Commander of the army of the LORD could perhaps apply to an angel (such as Michael, based on a passage like Revelation 12:7), Joshua’s falling down and worshipping is inconsistent with angels, who never receive worship (Revelation 22:8). Army of the LORD here is used in a way that implies that the armies commanded are angelic armies. This is a Being who commands angels.i. As well, Joshua refers to the angel as my LORD; but most of all, the command to remove his sandals (a picture of our humanity and contact with a “dirty” world), was to Joshua (who read and knew Exodus 3:4–6 because he was in God’s word) clear proof that the Man standing before him was the voice from the burning bush. The idea of Jesus, the Second Person of the Trinity, appearing as a man before Bethlehem is provocative, but logical. We know that He existed before Bethlehem (Micah 5:2); why should He not, on isolated but important occasions, appear in bodily form? This idea is also evident in passages like Genesis 18:16–33, 32:24–30, and Judges 13:1–23. (Joshua 5 Commentary) Related Resource: Angel of the LORD - Discussion of Christophanies Remove your sandals from your feet for the place where you are standing is holy - Sandals would profane the holiness of the place. This must have sounded familiar to Joshua as he had either heard Moses or read it in the Pentateuch (of which he had a copy) in Exodus 3:5+ - "Then He (Yahweh, the Angel of the LORD) said, “Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” And Joshua did so - Note Joshua's unhesitating obedience indicating total submission to the Captain, the pre-incarnate Christ. He is in essence acknowledging Who is truly in charge of the battle. He also knows that the Captain's presence and power assure that Israel will be victorious! Campbell - The top general of the LORD‘s army had not come to be an idle Spectator of the conflict, or even an ally. He was in complete charge and would shortly reveal His plans for capturing the citadel of Jericho. How comforting all this was for Joshua. He did not need to bear the heavy burden and responsibility of leadership alone. By removing his sandals he gladly acknowledged that this battle and the entire conquest of Canaan was God’s conflict and that he was merely God’s servant. (The Bible Knowledge Commentary Old Testament or Here) Guzik asks "Why did Jesus come to Israel at this strategic time?. He had come to instruct Joshua in the plan to capture Jericho. Joshua will carry out a plan in the following chapter that is so improbable it could only have been initiated at the direct command of God.ii. Most of all, He had come to conquer Israel—before Israel could conquer anything else in the promised land, they had to be conquered by God—and Joshua’s total submission shows that they are conquered by Him. This is the missing element in a life of victory for many Christians; they have not been, and are not continually being, conquered by God. (Joshua 5 Commentary) Henry