It was a new beginning for the Israelites. A new beginning marked with sadness; their long-time leader Moses had died. However, they were now at the door of the promised land. Their 40-year punishment of wandering in the desert had ended; the old rebellious generation who left Egypt had died.
This new beginning also created uncertainty about the future. The Israelites needed a new leader they could trust, but overall, they needed the certainty that God was with them. God selected Joshua for this work and gave him his first task: cross the Jordan River and take the land. (Joshua 1:1-2 NIrV)
What an excellent opportunity to establish a new team: God, Joshua, and the Israel people.
For 40 years, Israel had seen God’s power and support for them. The manna was falling for their sustenance every day. Their clothes and shoes remained intact. Water was provided where there was none. With a God like this, Team Israel had nothing to worry about. They were, after all, the descendants of Abraham.
As the people prepare to cross the Jordan River, Joshua sends two spies into the land they will conquer to get information on the conditions they will face. The spies return with an encouraging message they got from Rahab.
“I know that the Lord has given you this land. We are very much afraid of you. Everyone who lives in this country is weak with fear because of you. We’ve heard how the Lord dried up the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt. We’ve heard what you did to Sihon and Og, the two Amorite kings. They ruled east of the Jordan River. You completely destroyed them. When we heard about it, we were terrified. Because of you, we aren’t brave anymore. The Lord your God is the God who rules in heaven above and on the earth below.” (Joshua 2:8-11 NIrV)
A spirit of confidence was indeed growing in each member of this team. And to make things even better, God moves forward to confirm Joshua as their leader.
“Today I will begin to honor you in the eyes of all the Israelites. Then they will know that I am with you, just as I was with Moses.” (Joshua 3:7 NIrV)
As commanded, the priests, with the arc of the covenant, walked toward the Jordan River, and God miraculously parted the water again. All the Israelites walked on dry land, crossing the river into the promised land.
The Israelites did not just witness these events; all the nations around were attentive to the actions taken by the Israelites.
“All the Amorite and Canaanite kings heard how the Lord had dried up the Jordan River. They heard how he had dried it up for the Israelites until they had gone across it. The Amorite kings lived west of the Jordan. The kings of Canaan lived along the Mediterranean Sea. When all those kings heard what the Lord had done, they were terrified. They weren’t brave enough to face the Israelites anymore.” (Joshua 5:1 NIrV)
What perfect conditions for Team Israel’s objectives. They had God with them, a respectable leader in Joshua, an army of 40,000+ soldiers ready to battle (Joshua 4:13 NIrV), and the fear of the enemies who well know what God has done and could do for them. As a leader, Joshua’s confidence had to be at his height; he knew God was with him and Israel. Indeed, God was with Team Israel.
With this spirit, Joshua prepares to tackle the next commanded task: take Jericho, a fortified city with a thick, tall protective wall. Joshua goes near the city to strategize on overtaking this fortress when suddenly he notices a threat.
“When Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him. The man was holding a sword. He was ready for battle. Joshua went up to him. He asked, ‘Are you on our side? Or are you on the side of our enemies?'” Joshua 5:13 NIrV
This situation must have been shocking for Joshua. How did this man come closer without him even noticing? This man was ready for battle with a sword in his hands. Without fear, Joshua charges toward the men. Because what does he have to fear? God is with him, and he is the leader of Team Israel. And with determination, Joshua asks: What team are you on?
Joshua provided only two possible answers to that question:
- Are you on our side? Do you belong to God’s team, Israel? You had to come from God.
- Or, are you on the side of our enemies? Not on the side of God.
If this mysterious man, who appeared from nowhere, had come from God, he would have immediately answered: “I am on your side.” Perhaps Joshua was also expecting that answer from any person God could have sent because they were Team Israel and had God on their side, “Obviously!”.
However, Joshua received an unexpected answer: ” ‘I am not on either side,’ he replied. ‘I have come as the commander of the Lord’s army.'” (Joshua 5:14 NIrV)
What a controversy! Here we have the “commander of the Lord’s army,” and he is not on the side of Team Israel? That has to be a mistake. There must be an explanation.
Let’s check the facts.
- The people of Israel are the direct descendants of Abraham, carrying God’s covenant, and God’s sent is not on their side.
- God liberated Israel from Egypt, chose Moses, now Joshua, and He called them “my people,” and now He says that he is not on their side.
- God opened the Red Sea, provided food and water in the desert, and lately, He opened the Jordan River! And He says He is not on Israel’s side.
- Israel is getting ready for battle against the nations of the new land because God has promised to give this land to them, and now the commander of His army comes and says that He is not on their side.
What kind of team player do we have here? Joshua could indeed have had a logical argument with the commander of the Lord’s army, trying to convince Him that He was mistaken and had to be part of Team Israel.
And in your lives this is how many times we relate to God. How often have we believed we “team up” with God? That He is a “partner” in our endeavors. That God is a “member” or the “chair” of our administrative committees. He is the “special third member” in our marriage or part of our family. That God “attends” our church. How often do we pray for “God’s presence” in our activities, like he is a “member” who must attend our events?
How often do we proudly display “features” that may show that we are part of “God’s team”? I am a 5th generation faithful member of this church. I have never stopped giving tithe and offerings. I had been a vegetarian all my life. I have worked for this religious organization for a long time. I had been a missionary in many places for the Lord. I am a leader in my religious organization.
From all these, if we ask God what side He is on, God will give us the same answer he gave to Joshua: “I am not on either side.” And Joshua understood what God’s stand is.
“Then Joshua fell with his face to the ground. He asked the man, ‘What message does my Lord have for me?‘” (Joshua 5:14 NIrV)
Joshua understood that God does not have a “team.” God does not become a “member” who negotiates strategies with humans. Joshua realized that when driving a car, God is not a passenger or team member to whom you ask for opinions about the trip. No, God is the one driving, and you follow Him.
God is not the “business partner” who strategizes with us. No, He owns the business and tells us what to do. In our administrative committees, God is not a “member.” The committee meets to follow God’s plan; hopefully, we will listen to Him. In our families, God is not an “important member.” The family comes to God to worship and follow his commands.
We cannot consider God as part of our “team.” God does not have a team. He invites us to follow Him and accepts us by His grace, and it is our duty to ask Him daily: “What message does my Lord have for me?”
Copyright Italo Osorio 2024
Photo by Krys Amon on Unsplash