Lift Eyes, Look Up, Behold

“And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, “Are You for us or for our adversaries?” (Joshua 5:13 NKJV)

Joshua is out by Jericho and it seems that he is alone. All the Israelites have crossed over the Jordan and are now camped in the plains not far from Jericho and Joshua is the leader. The Bible isn’t clear on the time of day but based on previous appearances of the Angel of the Lord, who is the Pre-Incarnate Jesus, then we can presume it is around 4 or 5 in the afternoon. Wherever Joshua is and whatever the time is he seems to be walking around with his head down. He is not far from the city of Jericho but he does not want to look at it and is content to look just at where he is walking.

Have you ever been engrossed in what you are doing and then all of a sudden become aware that someone else was in the room with you? They may have been there for a while but you were so intent upon what you were doing you weren’t immediately aware of them but all of a sudden…. That seems to be the case with Joshua, he was walking along intent upon the his sandals upon the grass and then all of a sudden he becomes aware that someone else is around and he lifts his eyes. Now his focus is no longer on his sandals on the grass but up and he sees and with the seeing actually beholds. We see lots of things. Go into any store and you see all the displays that are around but unless they capture your attention you have not beheld the displays. Not only does Joshua see that someone is there but the man captures his attention and Joshua beholds Him. It turns out that this is the Pre-Incarnate Jesus and Joshua falls on his face before Him.

“And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, “Are You for us or for our adversaries?” (Joshua 5:13 NKJV)

The Bible is not clear on why Joshua was out by himself and why he was looking down and not at Jericho but we can infer that it had something to do with the fact that is was sealed shut and because of him and his people, “Now Jericho was securely shut up because of the children of Israel; none went out, and none came in. (Joshua 6:1 NKJV) When you looked at Jericho it seemed impossible to take it!

This was the first city they were coming to since crossing the Jordan and it looked like they would not advance beyond this point. That was what they saw with their eyes. The Pre-Incarnate Jesus wants to shift Joshua’s attention elsewhere, “And the LORD said to Joshua: “See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor. (Joshua 6:2 NKJV)

Joshua saw a walled city that could not be breached but God wanted him to see that it was already a done deal. God had already given him the city. On top of that not only was the king of Jericho already his but all the great warriors that were in the city as well. As far as God was concerned not only was the city taken and in Joshua’s possession but the head and the fighters were already down as well. God just needed Joshua to focus his attention on something other than what he saw; Joshua needed to focus on what God saw and was telling him. Joshua needed to behold that the victory not only was his but it had been given to him by God, Himself.

Ever face a seemingly insurmountable situation? It could be anything; a family crisis-a spouse has left or a child is missing. Or it could be a health crisis or a financial crisis or a business crisis. Whatever the situation that consumes the mind so that you focus on it to the exclusion of anything else so that it becomes a walled city that is closed tight then you have reached a Jericho. All we have to do is stop and remember that Jesus said He is always with us and would never leave us or forsake us so we have His presence.

Now we need to be aware of His presence so we need to lift our eyes and see. Now once we know that Jesus is there and we can see that Jesus is there we need to focus our attention on Him and behold Him rather than the situation that was consuming us. Once we got that done the city is ours, it’s king and the mighty men of valor that are hiding in it. And how do we know this? Simple, we have already be given the victory over the situation, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57) All we need to do is praise Him and believe that He has indeed given us the victory, “And this is the victory that has overcome the world–our faith. (1 John 5:4 NKJV) Jesus is the Commander in Chief of the army that wins us great victories all we need to do is believe and praise Him for it. So let us lift our eyes, see and behold!

Prayer
Lord, how many times tired and frightened by a “walled city” in front of me I have not known the difference between what is for me or against me. I know then that I have gotten to my human limit and the challenge is getting the best of me. And in those moments is easy to temporarily forget that you are with me always and that there is salvation, deliverance and victory in you. Help me Lord to focus in you, to remember you specially on those moments and live in your
victory. To lift my eyes and behold your glory! Amen

Author – Kingdom Ministries