John Calvin Commentary Joshua 5:13

"And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?" — Joshua 5:13 (ASV)

And it came to pass when Joshua, etc. Here we have the narrative of a remarkable vision by which Joshua was greatly encouraged and emboldened. For though he was strenuously discharging his office, an additional stimulus was still beneficial. The angel, however, did not appear solely on his own account, but for the confirmation of the whole people. Indeed, the Lord looked further ahead, so that He might provide future generations with stronger proofs of a kindness that was never properly appreciated.

Although they boasted proudly of having been planted by the hand of God in a holy land, they were hardly persuaded by all the miracles to acknowledge earnestly that they were placed there as God’s vassals. This vision, therefore, must have been beneficial to all ages, as it left no doubt about the divine kindness bestowed. The fact that it says he lifted his eyes tends to confirm the certainty of the vision, lest anyone might suppose that his eyesight had merely been dazzled by some fleeting phantom.

The spectacle, when first presented, must have inspired fear, for it is probable that Joshua was then alone, whether he had withdrawn from public view to engage in prayer or for the purpose of reconnoitering the city. I am more inclined to think it was the latter, and that he had gone aside to examine where the city should be attacked, lest the difficulty might deter others.

It appears certain that he was unaccompanied, as he alone sees the vision; and there can be no doubt that he was prepared to fight if he had encountered an enemy. But he asks his question as if addressing a man, because it is only from the answer that he learns it is an angel.

This doubt gives more credibility to the vision, as he is gradually led from seeing the man he addresses to recognizing an angel. At the same time, the words imply that it was not an ordinary angel, but one of special excellence. For he calls himself captain of the Lord’s host, a term that can be understood to include not only His chosen people but also angels.

The former view, however, is more correct, as God does not produce anything of an unusual nature, but performs what we previously read He did for Moses. And we know that Moses himself preferred this favor above all others; and rightly so, for God there revealed His own glory in an open and personal manner.

Accordingly, he is called both an angel and, significantly, by the title of the eternal God. Paul is a competent witness to this fact, who distinctly declares that it was Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4). And Moses himself accepted God as present in the person of the Mediator.

For when God declares, after the making of the calf (Exodus 33:2–3), that He would no longer be the Leader of the people, He at the same time promises that He will give one of His angels—but only one, as if taken from the general body of the angelic host. Moses earnestly pleaded against this, obviously because he could have no hope that God would be favorable if the Mediator were removed. Thus, it was a special pledge of divine favor that the Captain and Head of the Church, to whom Moses had been accustomed, was now present to assist. And indeed, divine adoption could not be confirmed in any other way than through the Mediator.