Matthew Henry Commentary Joshua 5:13-15

"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? And he said, Nay; but [as] prince of the host of Jehovah am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? And the prince of Jehovah`s host said unto Joshua, Put off thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so." — Joshua 5:13-15 (ASV)

We do not read of any appearance of God's glory to Joshua until now. One like a man appeared to him, who was to be noticed. This Man was the Son of God, the eternal Word. Joshua gave him divine honors; he received them, which a created angel would not have done, and he is called Jehovah (Joshua 6:2). To Abraham he appeared as a traveler; to Joshua as a man of war.

Christ will be to his people what their faith needs. Christ had his sword drawn, which encouraged Joshua to carry on the war with vigor. Christ's sword drawn in his hand denotes how ready he is for the defense and salvation of his people. His sword turns every way.

Joshua sought to determine whether he was a friend or a foe. The cause between the Israelites and Canaanites, between Christ and Beelzebub, does not permit anyone to refuse to take one side or the other, as one might do in worldly contests. Joshua's inquiry shows an earnest desire to know the will of Christ, and a cheerful readiness and resolution to do it. All true Christians must fight under Christ's banner, and they will conquer by his presence and assistance.