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?
When Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him holding a drawn sword. Joshua went up to him and asked, 'Are you on our side, or are you with our enemies?'
Joshua encounters a mysterious armed man near Jericho and boldly asks whether he's a friend or enemy.
📚 Historical Context
This occurs just before the famous battle of Jericho, as the Israelites prepare to conquer the Promised Land after 40 years in the wilderness. Joshua, now leading the nation after Moses' death, is scouting near the heavily fortified city of Jericho. The mysterious figure turns out to be the 'captain of the Lord's army' - likely a divine messenger or pre-incarnate appearance of Christ.
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