Sunday, May 21, 2017

DID JOSHUA BELIEVE THAT GOD COULD APPEAR TO HIM IN HUMAN FORM?





He did! Before the battle for Jericho, a “man” appeared to Joshua, who became convinced that this man was actually God:

·       …And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?” 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. Joshua 5:14-15 (ESV)

Israelites knew that they were only to worship God (Exodus 20:2-4). Nevertheless, Joshua “worshiped” this man. Did the man correct him? No! He affirmed Joshua’s worship, telling him to “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.”

Even the narrative indicates that “the LORD” (Yahweh) had been speaking to Joshua:

·       And the LORD said to Joshua, “See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor. (Joshua 6:2)

CONCLUSION: Joshua knew that the Lord had appeared to him in human form!

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