Word of Salvation – Vol.06 No.09 – March 1960
Joshua’s Consecration
Sermon by Rev. G. van Groningen on Joshua 5: 13 – 15
Order of Worship:
Silent Prayer
Votum
Salutation
Hymn 127
Reading of Law
Hymn of Confession 242:2,3
Scripture Reading and text: Joshua 5: 13 – 15
Prayer
Offering
Hymn 435
Sermon
Prayer
Hymn 447:1,5,6
Benediction
Beloved congregation,
In the story of Absalom’s rebellion against his father David we hear of Ahithophel, David’s personal and familiar friend and counsellor. Undoubtedly David had expected Ahithophel’s complete fidelity and consecration to the established rule. But when Absalom conspired, his apparent victory was reason strong enough to convince Ahithophel that greater fortune awaited him with youthful Absalom rather than with aged David. Though familiarity and friendship had united king David and Ahithophel, the latter, lacking true consideration to the cause of the Davidic house, did not have the fortitude and loyalty to choose the cause of David when that old master was at a seeming disadvantage. How important, how very indispensable true genuine consecration is on the part of a servant if he, come what may, is to remain faithful to his master.
The very central thought of this passage which claims our attention is the complete consecration required of Joshua before he began the momentous task of leading and directing Israel in the battle for the possession of the Promised Land. Our theme therefore is: Joshua’s Consecration. The Scriptures say four specific things about this consecration:
I. Its Fitting Time;
II. Demanded by God;
III. Moved to it by Instruction;
IV. Its Immediate Performance.
The wisdom and good sense of our God is so clearly revealed when we consider the occasion on which Joshua was made aware of the necessity to consecrate himself fully and completely to his Lord. We read in our text, “It came to pass when Joshua was by Jericho…!” Consulting the chapter we find that three important things had just taken place. After Israel crossed through the overflowing river Jordan and encamped in Gilgal on the east border of Jericho, all the male Israelites were circumcised. The sinful past was to be removed; the reproach of Egypt was to be cut off forever. The past, the time of rebellion, of servitude, of misery was to be removed and forgotten.
The second event was the commemoration of the Passover; this feast had a double look especially at this particular time. It had a backward look. The lamb and unleavened bread were to be eaten, not merely to remind the people of their former bondage, but to bring before their minds the wonderful and gracious deliverance they had experienced,
The feast also had a forward look. It spoke eloquently to the Israelites concerning the fact that the Promised Land had to be delivered from the power of the sinful Canaanites and brought into the possession of the covenant people in accordance with the promise of God to Abram. “Unto thy seed will I give this land”, Gen.12:7.
The third event was the stopping of the manna after the first day that Israel ate of the fruits of the Promised Land. Israel was no longer to be fed in a miraculous manner; they were now to eat as a result of their faithful obedience to and the constant claiming of the imperative promise: “Possess this land flowing with milk and honey which I have given to thee.”
These three events had just occurred on the east border of Jericho. Upon their completion the fitting moment, the exact time came for Joshua’s special consecration. Joshua as representative and commander of the people could not have been asked to consecrate himself at a more appropriate time: after the administration of the sacraments and just before the beginning of the battle for the Promised Land.
We notice that the text says that Joshua was by Jericho. In fact Joshua was very, very close to the first city to be attacked. Israel had been prepared spiritually and physically for this battle. Joshua was undoubtedly making a last check on the city and its environment. Some say Joshua was out alone to pray; it is not likely that he would go far into dangerous territory to pray however. As said, most likely, Joshua the commander in chief, was making a final survey of the area; he was arranging ‘the details of his plan for battle. Alone, concentrating upon the great task before him, he is confronted with the demand to fully and completely consecrate himself. Again we say, what a well-chosen moment! What a fitting time! What a golden opportunity the all wise Lord chose and employed for His servant’s final preparation, by means of consecration for a momentous and magnificent task.
We have spoken of the Lord choosing the proper time to have Joshua meet him. Yes, it was the Lord Himself whom Joshua encountered in the very shadows of the enemy’s city. But it is very true that Joshua did not recognize the Lord as such immediately. We read in our text that Joshua looked and saw a man in front of him. No, not something like a man, but as far as Joshua could discern, it was a real man. Some would say Joshua had a vision, that this encounter with the warlike appearing man never actually happened. The text says clearly and plainly that Joshua looked and saw a real man standing before him.
Our text tells us a few things about this man. Remember that Joshua is in no-man’s land. It is the area of the coming battle between tightly sealed Jericho and the armies of Israel. Only the very ignorant or the very boldest of men would venture out alone into such territory. Here then is the man, in a battle area and what is more, he directly confronts him standing like a soldier. The sword especially makes him look like a challenging soldier. Notice that the sword is uncovered and ready for immediate use. Yes indeed, Joshua was standing in front of a real fighting warrior.
Alert and courageous, Joshua immediately challenges the bold soldier. Joshua, concerned for the safety and well-being of his people as well as for a speedy and decisive victory over the enemy, steps out to directly confront the man. And notice that Joshua considers this soldier as a mortal being; he addresses him as a man, as a soldier of that time and area. “Are you for us or for our adversaries?” Joshua knew of only two causes, Israel’s or the enemies. In Joshua’s mind, every man in the area of Jericho represented either one of two causes. One was either for or against God’s people. There was no neutrality: This man, battle-ready, surely represented a cause – which ONE of the ONLY two possibilities was his cause? Ready, watching Joshua is determined to know.
The warrior answered. Undoubtedly the answer was a very surprising one to the Hebrew commander-in-chief. “Nay!” The warrior in speech was even more impressive than in appearance. “Nay, it is not as you think. I am not a mortal man. I am neither Hebrew nor Canaanite. I am not for the Hebrew, nor for the Canaanite”. The valiant figure before Joshua spoke with authority and with absolute finality. “Joshua the case is very different from what you think it to be.”
The noble and lordly one continued speaking. “I will inform you as to my identity. I am the prince of the hosts of Jehovah.” So, he presents a royal figure. This man is a prince, a son of a king; he undoubtedly is a great general also. Beyond a doubt, this royal warrior represents authority and power, he has just said, “I am prince, captain, chief commander of a mighty force; yes, mark well, the great commander-in-chief of the hosts of Israel!”
Yes, Joshua heard correctly! That one whom he had taken to be a mere man was a royal figure, captain of the hosts of Jehovah. “But I am captain of Israel.” ‘Wonder if such a thought flitted through Joshua’s mind. In Exodus 12:41 we read that the hosts of the Lord went out from Egypt; Moses, beyond a shadow of doubt referred to national Israel with that phrase. Did Joshua maybe suddenly recall what we read of in Gen.32:1,2?
The angels are spoken of as the hosts of the Lord. Could it possibly be that Joshua conceived of this man before him as an angel, a special angel, as many men today would have us believe? Not likely! In fact, very unlikely! Joshua realized he was standing before a truly great commander. He, Joshua, was commander of Israel, God’s physical warriors on earth. This one before whom he stood had a far greater command, whose scope was as extensive as the term, “servants of Jehovah”. There is much that can be said in favour of the idea that in this passage, the term “hosts of Jehovah” refers to all angelic or human, militant servants of the Lord. The emphasis of this passage is this: the noble warrior with drawn sword is the great leader, the true commander-in-chief of the Lord’s fighting forces. Joshua was a commander, a captain, but not THE commander, THE captain.
Who then is this that Joshua has challenged and who now takes the initiative from Joshua? Many men have spent much time, energy, and materials in the discussion of this question. But do you think Joshua ever entertained the slightest doubt as to who this was opposite him? Imagine yourself there in no-man’s land, face to face with a seeming personification of power and authority. He tells you he is not a man, but he claims to be of ROYALTY. Are angels royal? Yes, angels have royal dignified functions to perform in their service to God. But would you say this one before you is no more than an angel? Look at him again. Reconsider his words.
Of course you recognize this dignified warrior before you as that very one who appeared to Abraham and with whom Abraham pled for the cities of the plain: surely you recognize him as the one who comforted and encouraged banished Hagar in the wilderness; he it is that wrestled with Jacob at Peniel; he it is that spoke to Moses in the burning bush. This captain of the hosts is the angel of the Lord who went before the camp as we learn in Exodus 14:19. This is he who was appointed to keep Israel by the way and lead them to the Promised Land, who was to be obeyed and not to be provoked and who had the power to forgive sin. Ex.23:20-23. Surely, you know as well as Joshua knew that you are standing before the angel of the Lord who calls Himself the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Beyond a doubt Joshua immediately realized he was standing before God. He spontaneously fell before him, recognizing Him as the truly superior One. Joshua worshipped Him; the term used means recognized Him as the source of life and to ask for life from Him. Joshua furthermore addressed the One before him as “my Master” and speaks of himself as a mere servant in relation to Him.
Clearly then, Joshua realized he was having to do with none other than God Himself. The writer of this book also was sure of this; in 6:2 which continues the story of the encounter, we read “…and Jehovah said unto Joshua”.
But now, more specifically, who stood opposite to Joshua? It was God the Prince; that is to say, God the Son. Yes, indeed, it was the pre-incarnate Christ in the form of a real man. It was the eternal Joshua, the everlasting divine Saviour who appeared before His type; the human, fallible Joshua, the son of Nun. The second Joshua confronted the first Joshua in this historic event. Paul tells us in ICor.10:4 that Christ was ever accompanying Israel in the wilderness. This was the Christ as the Great Commander who appeared to Joshua and demanded complete consecration from His high ranking subordinate just before the battle.
Christ the captain of Jehovah’s warriors personally confronted Joshua to make this demand for consecration. However, the pre-incarnate Lord did not explicitly state this demand. Rather, by a series of instructions, Joshua is led and compelled to per- form the consecrating deed.
There are three things to note especially. First of all we note the correction the Lord made with his emphatic, No! Recall that Joshua thought he was confronted by a mortal man and therefore he asked the question, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” In answer to that came the emphatic, “Nay! I am not for you and I am not for your enemies your alternatives do not stand. You have an altogether wrong framework of thought, Joshua. You are not clear cut, in your thinking. You are still confused in discerning the vital, crucial issues and relationships. Your thought is too self-centred; it is too closely bound up with yourself at the centre. Joshua, you place the alternative between two groups of men. That is false, so wrong. Such thinking places God in a subordinate position. Yes, you may represent God’s cause, but don’t ask me then if I am for you or for your enemies.”
In opposition to the emphatic “Nay” we find the reference to the identity of the figure before Joshua. The captain of the hosts places himself in the foreground, He is central. Joshua, even though the Lord had magnified him in the eyes of the people (Josh.3:7, 4:14), is still a servant. It was the Lord who had magnified Joshua, but he had not been exalted above God! “You see Joshua, great as you are, you are still subordinate. I, captain Christ am supreme. The alternative is therefore – for the Lord or for His enemies? For Christ or for His enemies?” It has always been and always will remain this one and only alternative that men are confronted with: FOR OR AGAINST CHRIST!
“Joshua, my beloved, though confused servant, the specific challenge I wish to set forth now is – who are you for? Is it for Joshua and Israel or is it for the pre-incarnate Lord? You are about to fight the Canaanites and defeat them; you are about to inherit and possess Canaan; you are about to enter into security and prosperity, Joshua, in whose power, in whose name, for whose sake, for whose glory will all that be done?”
“Joshua, the actual realization of the promise of eternally possessing a land is not to be for the sake of casting out the rejected Canaanite; nor is it primarily for the sake of an eternally loved and chosen Israel. No Joshua – all this and much more for My sake! ARE YOU FOR ME?”
The captain has more to say by way of specific instruction. With climatic emphasis He concludes His first statement, “Am I now come.” I am here for a purpose. I am here with a specific task, a fixed goal in mind. “But I am now come”, He says. Now is the important word here. Recall that the angel of the Lord was said to have defended Israel from Pharoah at the Red Sea (Ex.14:19); He went before Israel, keeping them in the way, bringing them to the place prepared for them (Ex.23:20-23). Now this same royal, Divine One appears as the prince, the great commander-in- chief of the warriors of the Lord who have the difficult task to utterly destroying the present illegitimate possessors of the Promised Land. He comes to conduct the campaign, cf.6:2ff. He comes to ensure victory.
The Lord comes with the sword. He comes as the great warrior. He will fight. He will actively engage in battle. He will smite unto death the idolatrous God denying Canaanites. This mighty leader is thus deliverer, protector but He likewise is the real cause in Israel’s actual inheritance and possession of the land. This encouraging message directly from the Lord Himself is to Joshua. But it follows the emphatic “Nay.” Thus if Israel’s national leader and representative is for the Lord, then the Lord’s victory will be Joshua’s and Israel’s. If Joshua will concentrate and devote himself and his work wholly unto the Lord then the promises of Josh.1:5-7 will truly be realized. Then the Lord does not forsake nor fail; but He is the constant source of strength and courage. The Lord will not do this merely by example, but imbedded in the promise of 1:5-7 is the direct, personal, vital, mystical giving of the necessary virtues to His servants.
Having received good instruction Joshua asks, “What saith my Lord unto His servant?” Joshua feels that a great demand is placed upon him. “Say it then my Lord, say it plainly what dost thou so compellingly and forcefully desire of me?”
The answer came back clear and simple. “Joshua put off your sandals”. This is a figurative expression. Today a man in the same circumstance might be told to “take off your hat”. This oriental custom of removing sandals indicated recognition, respect, honour, admiration, but here especially awe, submission, and reverence are required. Joshua is specifically commanded to demonstrate these before the holy Lord whom he was facing.
Joshua, the place which you are now occupying is holy. No, not that piece of ground, a foot square, upon which your body rests. The earth as such is not holy; separated unto God, pure and undefiled. But Joshua was standing before the holy Lord. To be in the presence of divine holiness demands complete submission, reverence and sanctity. “Remove thy sandal from the feet, my servant, I, the holy God would have you consecrate yourself wholly and entirely unto me.”
This removal of the sandal was not to be a momentary occurrence. The meaning, the real intent of the command was to ever stand. “I am now come” indicates also, “I am come to stay.” Therefore, wherever the Lord is, there men are to submit and consecrate themselves fully, entirely unto Him. In battle, in taking possession, in dwelling, in prosperity – yes in every circumstance of life, “be ye wholly and genuinely devoted and consecrated to me.”
Joshua was thus instructed by his Lord. How did Joshua respond to the encounter with the pre-incarnate Christ and more specifically to the instruction intended to lead him to complete consecration? He unhesitatingly obeyed. He performed the required act; that is to say, Joshua submitted to the Lord’s will for him and rendered a fully consecrated heart unto the Lord.
It is interesting to detect spontaneous God-honouring responses on the part of Joshua as the scene progresses. As referred to before, we see Joshua falling down as soon as he realizes he is the subordinate one. With genuine humility he ex- presses his recognition of this. But Joshua did more, “he did worship”. This is an altogether religious act; he recognized this One before him as the One and only true source of life. From Him alone comes the true life. Such a true God Joshua longs to have; such a God he therefore accepts and claims as his own in proper worship.
Then there is that ready question put forth by Joshua. The question is not necessarily an indication of rashness, it is rather an indication of readiness, willingness to know and do the Lord’s will. This question implies an admission of ignorance and of dependence, Joshua hereby revealed that he knew he must look to another for knowledge, for the way to a true life of service and gratitude.
These spontaneous actions, as it were, set the stage for the specific command to Joshua to submit to the Lord, to devote himself entirely and to sanctify and consecrate himself fully and always unto God. Read the last part of vs.15 again; “Put off thy shoe from off thy foot….! And Joshua did so.” That short simple concluding statement is a most remarkable one. It is so crystal clear; it speaks so eloquently of Joshua’s true character. It so positively speaks of Joshua’s greatness as a servant of the Lord.
The removing of the shoe was such a common everyday occurrence. To many it may have meant little or nothing. Not to Joshua however! It meant so much, yes, it meant everything to him. To perform or refuse to perform that simple lowly deed would indicate his readiness or refusal to acknowledge the Lord as his Master. Likewise a refusal to remove the shoe would reveal a refusal to serve the Lord with: an undivided heart of love. Such a refusal Joshua could not possibly consider. With genuine love for his Lord he surrenders himself completely unto the holy life and service required by God. Joshua thus exemplifies for us the actual carrying out of an oral confession in a life of action. Such things, such actions make the magnified Joshua even more magnificent. This harmony between an orally expressed desire and an executed deed makes Joshua the more unmistakable, genuine, and majestic type of the still greater Joshua before whom we now stood.
And Joshua did so! Having done so, he was prepared for instruction, detailed instruction, as to how to capture the city sealed tight. The plan of battle as set forth by the great commander-in-chief seemed to be so out of keeping with real military strategies and procedures. But magnificent Joshua does not talk back; no, he does not even offer the slightest criticism or indicate the least bit of hesitation. Why not? Because it had been described by the Lord. That was enough for Joshua. In fact that is enough for any truly consecrated servant of the Lord.
Joshua, leader and representative of Israel, prepared spiritually and physically for the battle of the promised inheritance needed one thing. He must have a clearer view of his Lord, the pre-incarnate Christ; he must comprehend more clearly how he was to serve.
The true deliverer of God’s people therefore stood before Joshua.
And Joshua, called to consecrate himself fully, did so. That was the secret to Joshua’s following victory.
That is why Joshua went forth conquering and to conquer, a genuine type of the second Joshua.
Amen.