Joshua 5:13-15 records Joshua’s encounter with the Commander of the Lord’s Army. Some key’s to it’s theology are as follows: (1) timing: this encounter happens right before the Jericho campaign begins, right before Israel is going into battle; (2) the Commander does not say He was on Joshua’s side because it was important for Joshua to realize God’s people must be on His side. This Divine Warrior is ready to administer God’s judgment on Jericho. God’s people are in a spiritual battle in which God will fight for His own (cf. Ephesians 6:10-20); (3) this encounter makes us understand our need to respond to God’s holiness. Joshua has to take off his sandals. But in order for this encounter to do something to us, we must see our Lord in this story. In order for Jesus to be “for us”, He ends up being God’s adversary on the cross and is able to confer His righteousness on all who believe in Him. This puts us on the Lord’s side and assures He will fight for us so we can experience LifePlus. One day Jesus will arrive again with a sword to administer God’s final justice and secure for us complete salvation.