Take Off Your Sandals
Joshua 5:13-15
As we start this time together in God’s Word, I invite you to pause and ask the Lord to speak to you today.
Dear Heavenly Father, I admit that sometimes I open my Bible and go through the motions to check the box. Today, I invite the Holy Spirit to draw near, touch my heart, and reveal Your will for my thoughts, words, and actions. Help me obey Your instructions and guide me as I walk with You. Amen.
Take a moment to read these Bible verses:
Now, when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand.
Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?”
“Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.”
Then Joshua fell face down to the ground in reverence and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?”
- Joshua 5:13-14
The people of Israel crossed the Jordan River on dry ground. The inhabitants of Canaan were terrified because they had heard about Israel’s victories—crossing the Red Sea, defeating the mighty Egyptian army, and winning battles during their forty-year journey from Egypt to the Promised Land (Joshua 5:1).
Joshua sent two spies and instructed them to scout out the land, particularly the city of Jericho (Joshua 2:1). When they returned, they gave Joshua a full report.
“The Lord has given us the whole land,” they said,
“for all the people in the land are terrified of us.”
- Joshua 2:24
As Israel’s new leader, Joshua approached the walled city to evaluate the upcoming battlefield. It was shocking to see a man holding a sword in his hand! Startled, Joshua asked whether he was a friend or an enemy.
The man’s reply caught Joshua’s attention. He said, “I have come as the commander of the Lord’s army.”
The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.
- Joshua 5:15
Joshua fell face down on the ground. In this culture, it was common to bow to someone in authority. He was told to take off his sandals because he was standing on holy ground. Joshua responded obediently.
The Lord met with Joshua that evening, and Joshua responded with worship, reverence, and humility. The Lord also wanted to reassure Joshua that He was with him and that God was in control (Joshua 1:9). Joshua was the new leader of Israel, and the whole nation looked to him as they faced this major challenge.
Every battle Joshua fought so far took place in the wilderness. He had never faced a city with walls before. Joshua must have had conflicting thoughts running through his mind. Is the Lord truly leading Israel into a battle against the city of Jericho? Moses, their former leader, was no longer with them. Will the Israelite army succeed in this battle?
Head to Heart
As you reflect on these verses, what truths stand out to you? Why?
Did you notice any specific aspects of God’s character? Here are some of my observations:
God is sovereign.
God is powerful.
God is worthy of my worship and praise.
The battle belongs to the Lord.
God is my source of comfort and strength.
When facing times of change, transition, or hardship, we may feel confused or unsettled. We are people living in a troubled world. The Lord invites us to come to Him. The Word of God is our constant source of strength, comfort, and encouragement. It doesn’t mean the circumstances will automatically change, but we have made the conscious choice to seek wisdom and guidance from the Lord.
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