I’m fascinated every time I read about Joshua’s encounter with the commander of the Lord’s army, who happened to be an angel with bared sword and no sense of humor.

Joshua nervously asked, are you for us, or for our adversaries? Neither, the angel shot back. I wonder what ran through Joshua’s mind?

I know what runs through my mind. Shock. Didn’t the angel automatically side with Joshua and his people? Apparently not. It appears the Lord stayed above the fray. The commander took orders from the Lord, and expected Joshua to do the same.

I assume the Lord takes sides – my side, in particular.

The Lord apparently doesn’t think like me, nor does the Lord allow me to manipulate him to undergird my causes.

On the contrary, the Lord finds holiness more valuable than the side I support. His side is the side I need to line up on.

Joshua 5:13-15 in week thirteen of reading the Bible cover to cover

The Captain of the Lord’s Army Appears to Joshua (Ferdinand Bol, 1662)