“…when Joshua was by Jericho, that he looked, and a Man stood with His sword drawn. And Joshua said to Him, “Are You for us or for our adversaries?” He said, “NO, but as COMMANDER of the army of the LORD I have now come.” And Joshua FELL ON HIS FACE and WORSHIPED, Then the Commander of the LORD’s army said to Joshua, “TAKE YOUR SANDAL (naʿal: sandal, shoe) OFF, for THE PLACE WHERE YOU STAND IS HOLY.” And Joshua did so.” (Joshua 5:13-15) THEY WERE ABOUT TO GO AND SEE THE MASSIVE WALLS OF JERICHO FALL DOWN.
Who was this man? Was this an angel? NO! An angel would not let us worship him! “Now I, John, FELL DOWN TO WORSHIP BEFORE THE FEET OF THE ANGEL who showed me these things. Then he said to me, “See that you DO NOT DO THAT. FOR I AM YOUR FELLOW SERVANT, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. (So, how do we worship? The angel said) WORSHIP GOD.” (Revelation 22:8-9)
Remember what happened to Moses, he saw the burning bush, “God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses! Do not draw near this place. TAKE YOUR SANDALS (naʿal: sandal, shoe) OFF your feet, for the place where you stand IS HOLY GROUND.” (Exodus 3:4-5) Some try to make something out of the sandal vs. sandals but it’s the same Hebrew word (naʿal). THEY WERE ABOUT TO SEE THE DOMINACE OF EGYPT END.
The important issue here is when SOMETHING OF GREAT IMPORTANCE is about to happens JESUS APPEARS and makes the announcement. When He appeared to Samuel “Now THE LORD CAME AND STOOD and called, “Samuel! Samuel!” Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears.” Then the LORD said: “Behold, I will do something in Israel at which both ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. I will perform against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knows, because HIS SONS MADE THEMSELVES VILE, and HE DID NOT RESTRAIN THEM.” (1 Samuel 3:10-13) Samuel’s sons were having sexual relations with women who came to the temple.
When so much false religion was going on Jesus Himself came to Earth to solve the sin problem, “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, CHRIST DIED FOR US (He took our sins upon Himself). Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, WE SHALL BE SAVED FROM WRATH THROUGH HIM.” (Romans 5:8-9)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham