Joshua 5:13-15·~1 min
The Commander of the LORD’s Army
Joshua encounters a drawn-sword figure near Jericho and learns he stands before the Commander of the LORD's army. The meeting ends with a command to remove his sandals, because the ground is holy.
N13ow 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 approached Him and asked, “Are You for us or for our enemies?” 14“Neither,” He replied. “I have now come as Commander of the LORD’s army.” 15The Commander of the LORD’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.”
Section summaryNear Jericho, Joshua sees a man with a drawn sword and asks whose side He is on. The figure identifies Himself as the Commander of the LORD's army and declares the place holy.
Role in the chapterThis section shifts the chapter from covenant preparation to divine presence before battle. It makes clear that Jericho will be faced under the LORD's command, not merely Israel's strength.