If you're a Bible student, you're most likely familiar with the battle of Jericho recorded in Joshua 5:13-6:27 of the Old Testament. It was only recently that I noticed a key part of that story that I'd read past many times before. Here are the two key verses from which I'll make my point.
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13 Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, "Are you for us or for our enemies?"
14 "Neither," he replied, "but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come."
The Commander was a messenger of the Lord (also called an angel). Some argue that He was actually Jesus who appeared in Old Testament days in human form and I tend to agree. Either way, the Commander of the army of the Lord said that He was on "Neither" side.
Does it strike you as odd that the Commander said he was on "Neither" side? It puzzled me when I recently read that passage. How could God not be on the side of the Israelites who were His people? He said He was their God and brought them through terrible times. How could He possibly be neutral between His people and His enemies? It didn't make any sense. Then I did what most ex-preachers won't admit; I used the footnotes of my Bible.
Lee Wilson founded Grace-Centered Christian Forums, Real Christian Singles, and works with Love Path Institute, an organization that works to save marriage relationships from separation and divorce.
