After Moses died, a new world started for Joshua. He led the Israelites into the land of Canaan. In Joshua 4, God commanded the Israelites to cross the Jordan. In Joshua 5, after they crossed the Jordan, God commanded them to be circumcised. During their 40 years in the wilderness, they had not circumcised their children or celebrated the Passover.

God did not tell them that they needed to start training and exercising and working out so that they could fight in battles. Instead, God commanded them to be circumcised and rest for 3 days. After circumcision, they were totally knocked down for 3 days, resting and healing. Through this, God wanted to show that they wouldn’t win or conquer by their own strength, but by God. They weren’t able to do anything but lie on the ground and rest and regain their strength.

Then God told them to celebrate the Passover. God wanted them to go back to a heart of worship, to go back to serving the Lord. He wanted them to remember how they came out of the land of Egypt, how God delivered them and saved them.

After they took Passover in the new land, the manna from heaven ceased and they started living off of the fruit of the land.

After they were circumcised and celebrated the Passover, the Angel of the Lord came and visited them.

Joshua 5:13-15
¹³ And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, “Are You for us or for our adversaries?”
¹⁴ So He said, “No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.”
And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, “What does my Lord say to His servant?”
¹⁵ Then the Commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy.” And Joshua did so.

The Man told Joshua he was the Commander of the Lord’s army. The Lord’s army is:

1. A heavenly army (Matthew 26:48-53)
2. An army of believers

The Angel of the Lord told Joshua that he was not on his side or on his enemy’s side, but on the Lord’s side.

David was a mighty man of God. The Lord fought many battles through David. But when David sinned against God with Uriah and Bathsheba, he made himself an enemy of God. God can be either your friend or your enemy, depending on how you live your life.

King Ahab served idols and false gods for a long time. God closed up the windows of heaven for 3 years and allowed famine to come on the land. He was not on Ahab’s side. But when Ahab repented and humbled himself, God forgave him.

If you want God to help you and to be on your side, then you need to humble yourself.

How can you be a friend of God? How can we get God on our side? Joshua 5:15 is the key.

Joshua 5:15
¹⁵ Then the Commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy.” And Joshua did so.

Take your sandals off your feet:

1. Become a servant.
   In old days, servants did not wear shoes. Taking our sandals off shows that we are God’s slave, willing to submit to His direction and live life by His ways.
2. Turn away from wickedness and live a holy life
   If you want God to be on your side, forsake your evil ways. Purify your heart. Give up your own agenda and will.

If you go to the battleground with an unclean heart, you’ve already lost the battle.

In Joshua 6, the Israelites fought against the city of Jericho. Because Joshua was submitted to God and following His plan, everything was very smooth. They didn’t lose any men in battle. It only took 7 days to conquer Jericho because God was fighting for them.

If God is on your side, you can accomplish whatever it is that He calls you to do.

God bless you,
Pastor Sun Hui East