Joshua 5:15
And the commander of the LORD’s army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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What's easy to miss is that the command to remove sandals isn't just about showing respect; it's an immediate, practical instruction for Joshua to recognize the profound holiness of this specific moment. This isn't just holy ground in general, but a consecrated space under the direct presence of the Commander of the Lord's army, signaling a pivotal shift from human strategy to divine intervention for the battles ahead.
Fresh off their Passover observance and the miraculous cessation of manna, Joshua encounters a figure with a drawn sword. When Joshua asks if this divine commander is for Israel or their enemies, he learns this is the Captain of the Lord's host, appearing not as a mere man but as God's representative. This encounter, strikingly similar to Moses' at the burning bush, serves to confirm God's presence with Joshua as he's about to lead Israel into conquest, reminding him that victory comes not by human strength but by God's power.
Joshua encounters a powerful figure just before a pivotal battle. The first command he receives isn't about strategy, but about his own posture.
Imagine Joshua, poised on the edge of conquering Jericho, perhaps strategizing or surveying the enemy. Suddenly, a commander of the Lord's army appears, sword drawn. Joshua, ever the bold leader, asks the crucial question: 'Are you for us or against us?' But before the commander answers, he gives a surprising instruction: 'Take off your sandals.' This isn't just a polite request; it's a divine signal.
The Significance of Bare Feet
Removing sandals in ancient cultures was a profound act of reverence. It acknowledged that the ground itself was consecrated, made holy by God's presence. Think of it like stepping into a sacred space today – you'd likely show respect.
This encounter echoes God's command to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:5). The same God who spoke to Moses, promising to be with him, is now speaking to Joshua. His presence transforms ordinary ground into holy ground. It signifies that God's power and authority are actively present, and Joshua is entering into a moment of divine appointment.
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Joshua faces a mysterious warrior. Who is this figure, and what does his identity mean for Israel's future?
The appearance of the 'captain of the LORD's army' is a critical moment. Joshua, initially uncertain, asks if the commander is for Israel or their enemies. The answer, 'Neither,' followed by 'but as captain of the host of the LORD I now come,' reveals this is no ordinary soldier.
A Divine Commander
This title, 'captain of the LORD's host,' is attributed to God Himself. The ancient commentators point out that this was likely a Christophany – a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ. He is the eternal Son of God, appearing to Joshua not just as a messenger, but as the divine leader of Israel's battles.
Joshua's immediate reaction – falling on his face in worship – confirms he recognizes the divine nature of this presence. This isn't just about military strategy; it's about Joshua submitting to the ultimate authority and leadership of God, ensuring that their victories would be recognized as God's victories, not their own.
Joshua's faith is tested not by a battle plan, but by a simple, yet profound, command. His response sets the tone for the entire conquest.
When the commander says, 'Take off your sandals,' Joshua doesn't hesitate. The text simply states, 'And Joshua did so.' This swift obedience is remarkable.
Trusting the Unseen
Joshua was on the brink of war, facing the formidable city of Jericho. His mind might have been racing with military tactics, troop movements, and potential outcomes. Yet, he halts his strategic thinking to obey a command that seems, on the surface, unrelated to warfare.
This act highlights a crucial aspect of faith: obedience to God, even when the reason isn't fully understood or immediately practical. It demonstrates Joshua's deep reverence and his willingness to submit to God's authority above all else. This immediate 'yes' to the commander paves the way for the subsequent, seemingly strange instructions for conquering Jericho, showing that obedience is the foundation for experiencing God's power.
Understand the original words
qodesh · Hebrew Adjective
That which is set apart from common or profane use for God's specific purpose; it denotes moral purity and divine presence.
The command to remove sandals echoes Moses' encounter at the burning bush, emphasizing that encountering God's presence in the Promised Land is a moment of profound holiness and divine commissioning.
c. 1446 BC
Moses Receives Command at Horeb
God speaks to Moses from the burning bush, commanding him to remove his sandals because the place is holy. This event established a precedent for reverent encounter with the divine.
c. 1406 BC
Israel Enters the Promised Land
After 40 years of wandering, the Israelites cross the Jordan River into Canaan under Joshua's leadership. This marks the beginning of their conquest.
c. 1406 BC
Israel Keeps the Passover
The Israelites celebrate Passover in the plains of Jericho, signifying their re-entry into covenant relationship with God and the cessation of the manna.
c. 1406 BC— this verse
Appearance to Joshua Near Jericho
As Joshua prepares to besiege Jericho, he encounters a divine being, the Captain of the Lord's Host, who reveals Himself and instructs Joshua.
This passage directly parallels Joshua's experience, as God tells Moses to remove his sandals because the ground he stands on is holy, emphasizing the recurring theme of God's presence sanctifying a place and demanding reverence.
Exodus 33:11This verse describes God speaking with Moses 'face to face, as a man speaks to his friend,' highlighting the intimate, personal way God interacted with His leaders, similar to the direct encounter Joshua had with the Captain of the Lord's host.
1 Corinthians 10:4Paul states that the Israelites drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and that 'the rock was Christ,' suggesting that the divine being Joshua encountered, the Captain of the Lord's host, was a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ.
Isaiah 6:1-5When Isaiah encountered the Lord in the temple, he declared himself a man of unclean lips and recognized the holiness of God, prompting him to repent, which echoes Joshua's reaction of awe and reverence when confronted with the divine presence.
cambridgeJoshua 5:15: "And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so."
15 . Loose thy shoe ] “Vnlace thi schoo fro thi feet,” Wyclif. Comp. Exodus 3:5 . It was a mark of reverence to cast off the sandals in approaching a place or person of eminent sanctity.
bensonJoshua 5:15: "And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so."
Joshua 5:15 . From off thy foot — In token of reverence and subjection. Holy — Consecrated by my presence. The very same order which God gave to Moses at the bush, when he was sending him to bring Israel out of Egypt, he here gives to Joshua for the confirming his faith, that as he had been with Moses, so he would be with him.
What's easy to miss is that the command to remove sandals isn't just about showing respect; it's an immediate, practical instruction for Joshua to recognize the profound holiness of this specific moment. This isn't just holy ground in general, but a consecrated space under the direct presence of the Commander of the Lord's army, signaling a pivotal shift from human strategy to divine intervention for the battles ahead.
Fresh off their Passover observance and the miraculous cessation of manna, Joshua encounters a figure with a drawn sword. When Joshua asks if this divine commander is for Israel or their enemies, he learns this is the Captain of the Lord's host, appearing not as a mere man but as God's representative. This encounter, strikingly similar to Moses' at the burning bush, serves to confirm God's presence with Joshua as he's about to lead Israel into conquest, reminding him that victory comes not by human strength but by God's power.
Fresh off their Passover observance and the miraculous cessation of manna, Joshua encounters a figure with a drawn sword. When Joshua asks if this divine commander is for Israel or their enemies, he learns this is the Captain of the Lord's host, appearing not as a mere man but as God's representative. This encounter, strikingly similar to Moses' at the burning bush, serves to confirm God's presence with Joshua as he's about to lead Israel into conquest, reminding him that victory comes not by human strength but by God's power.
"And the commander of the LORD’s army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so." — What's easy to miss is that the command to remove sandals isn't just about showing respect; it's an immediate, practical instruction for Joshua to recognize the profound holiness *of this specific mo…
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