WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON?

Whose side are you on?  Who is on your side?  Whether an argument, a team sport, or problems in relationships, often we find a side to be for or against.

In Joshua 5, Joshua and the Israelites are getting prepared to go into the Promised Land, the final aspect of the Covenant that God made with Abraham--the aspect that had not yet been fulfilled.

As they did so, they got spiritually prepared--and remember this is a new generation--second generation out of Egypt.  So first of all, the act of circumcision for this new generation.  It represented to the Jew the acceptance of God's Covenant with them.  So this new generation had to accept it for themselves--they could not live on their parent's acceptance of the Covenant with God.

A second aspect we find here is that they observed the Passover.  It was remembering what God had done, in bringing them out of slavery into freedom.  It was a way of showing solidarity with their history, their past, and past generations.  They were to observe this each year, but had not for several, so this action on their part showed their obedience to God once again.

Not only had they accepted God's covenant, they also were showing their willingness to live in obedience to Him and His commands.  And these were part of the covenant God made with them.  These are important things for them, as they prepare to go into the Promised Land to receive what God had promised.  Spiritual preparation is always important--in fact, the most important for believers.

But then a curious passage (Josh. 5:13-15).  Joshua, the leader of the Israelites, God's chosen man, goes near Jericho.  As he does so, a man with a drawn sword appears before him.  Joshua asks the man, "Are you for us or for our enemies?"  In other words, whose side are you on.  (Word had gotten around the land of Canaan that the Israelites were right near Canaan and things they had done already to other enemies--so fear was there among the people living in Canaan). 

The man's response, "Neither."  I am for neither you nor your enemies.  And he goes on to say, "As commander of the LORD's army I have now come."  Now wait a minute!  Wasn't the Lord behind Joshua and the Israelites taking over this land?  Wasn't He the one giving them this Promised Land?

Was this an angel of the LORD?  Was it the LORD Himself?  Joshua immediately bows down before the man in reverence and asks, "What message do you have for me?"  He recognizes this is either God or one representing the LORD.  So he asks a good question, "Why are you here?  What is the message you are to deliver to me?  (Angels or God doesn't just appear, it seems for no reason.)

The man before Joshua tells him to take off his sandals, because he is only holy ground.  You remember this was also said to Moses at the burning bush.  So it was a confirmation to Joshua that indeed "God was with him in the same way He'd been with Moses."  It should build up the faith--the strength and courage (chapter 1)--of Joshua on the eve of beginning the battles to capture the land.

But what other messages were probably here?  One, God is not on our side; He wants us to be on His side.  Now God loves everyone; sinners as well as believers.  He loves the sinner and hates the sin.

Is our side always right?  Of course not.  But is God's side/mind/purpose always right?  Of course.  So we need to come to God and listen to Him, not just ask God to "bless" our plans, our works for Him, our purposes.  We should get our marching orders from Him, not He from us.  A good reminder for Joshua and Israel as they enter the Promised Land.

That also says things should be done "God's way," not necessarily the way we think.  God would give His people specific instructions as they captured the land.  When they followed Him, they achieved success.  When they didn't listen or disobeyed, they found failure.  The battles were dependent on God and listening to His instructions/plans.

God doesn't need to know my plans and join me (whose side are you on), I need to know His plans  and join Him.

Be aware also that when God speaks, that is "holy ground."  When God chooses to speak to us, that is not the norm--the everyday--the common.  Therefore, that is holy ground--a message to be heard and heeded, not taken lightly.

The Promised Land was indeed holy ground, but it was only holy ground because of God, His blessing, His covenant, His choosing, His purpose.  Entering that land needed to be done in God's way and behind His leading, not just what they thought.

Are not our lives also "holy ground" as God communicates to us and wants us to "be on His side, not just He be on our side"?  I need to hear from God more than He needs to hear from me.  And then, I need to obey.

How might this apply to your life right now?  Where do you see yourself in this story about Joshua?