Choosing Sides Today's Three-minute Bible Study Print, Study and Apply Title: Choosing Sides -------------------------- Date: 8/6/2002 Keyword: "submission" Welcome to eXXit, the web site designed to help you stand strong in the face of sexual temptation. Passage: Joshua 5:13-15 * 13. Now it came about when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing 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?" 14. He said, "No; rather I indeed come now as captain of the host of the Lord." And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and bowed down, and said to him, "What has my lord to say to his servant?" 15. The captain of the Lord’s host said to Joshua, "Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy." And Joshua did so. Questions 1. Was Joshua’s question (verse 13) a reasonable one to ask?   2. What do you think Joshua hoped the man would answer?   Practical help Joshua’s question (verse 13) was a reasonable one for a military man to ask someone with a drawn sword! As the supreme commander of Israel’s forces preparing to begin an armed invasion of Canaan, it was important for him to know who was with him and who was against him. However, the captain who faced off with Joshua refused to answer the question Joshua asked. Hence, the answer, "No." The message from the angelic soldier was this, "Joshua, I understand your interest in having me on your side. But the most important matter, and the one we need to settle right here and now, is this: Whose side are you on? Are you willing to submit to the sovereignty of the Lord? God is not One who can be manipulated to be on anyone’s ‘side.’ Now, before you experience God’s wonder-working power on your behalf, is the time to recognize your subordinate position and submit." Today, men and women want God’s help in many ways. We want Him to be on our side. Understandably! Who wouldn’t want the Almighty on their side in a fight? Who wouldn’t want God’s help in battling disease, poverty, or temptation? But Joshua’s brief conversation with the captain of the army of the Lord teaches that there is a prior issue that must be dealt with, and that is the issue of submission to the lordship of the Almighty. Make no mistake — God will help those who cry out to Him. But He is not a jinni in a lamp who can be manipulated to our benefit. Scripture calls you and me in 2002 just as it called Joshua in 1500 BC to bow before the Lord as submit to Him. eXXit homepage Index of three-minute studies Copyright 2002 by eXXit *"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission." ---