Georgetown, Ontario, is home to the Canadian headquarters of the Watchtower Organization (Jehovah’s Witnesses). Its gated compound sits on 172 acres of land. In comparison, the home office of the President of the United States, leader of the free world, sits on only 18 acres of land. The compound’s influence goes well beyond its gates, as it is responsible for producing one in every four of all J.W. soft-cover publications in the world.
Not only is Georgetown clearly overshadowed by Satan’s stronghold, but there is a very significant Roman Catholic presence as well. To the casual observer, it appears that Georgetown is all but lost to these religious opponents of the truth. Why bother preaching the gospel on their domain? They’re bigger, they’re stronger, and there are more of them! But those were the very reasons why Georgetown was the perfect place for my family to help start a New Testament assembly four years ago and reach out to the community with the gospel. How is that possible, you ask? Well, we know a Man who makes it His business to break down the strongest walls.
The fortress of Jericho
Situated 800 feet below sea level in the Jordan valley, Jericho is one of the lowest cities in the world, not to mention one of the oldest continually-inhabited cities. A fertile home to palm trees, its name denotes “fragrance.” Later used as a winter resort by historical figures ranging from Cleopatra to Herod the Great, the city was a source for all pleasure; you could find anything your heart desired in Jericho.
Nevertheless, the stench of Jericho’s idolatry and disobedience ascended to God, resulting in its doom to complete destruction (Josh. 6:17). The impenetrable fortress was the first obstacle standing in the way of the children of Israel after they had crossed the Jordan River to take possession of the land, c. 1400 BC. However, we discover that imminent victory would not be Joshua’s to claim, but would be at the hands of an armed Man, the pre-incarnate Christ, who met him on the road to Jericho (Josh. 5:13-15). Similarly, believers in Christ are involved in a spiritual war regarding their spiritual blessings in heavenly places (Eph. 1:1-14; 6:10-12). As was the case with the children of Israel, the believer in Christ must take heed to not go into battle unprepared.
Holiness: the pre-battle regimen
In advancing towards Jericho, one would think that the children of Israel would be involved in rigorous military drills to strengthen the flesh. However, crossing the Jordan resulted in something quite the contrary: circumcision. Literally, putting off the flesh (Josh. 5:2-9). Following this, they observed three feasts of the Lord (vv. 10-12). First, they ate the Passover. Secondly, they ate the old corn of the land, unleavened cakes (cf. Lev. 23:6-8).
Finally, manna ceased as a result of their eating the old corn of the land, upon which the children of Israel ate the fruit of the land (cf. Lev. 23:9-14).
Likewise, the believer in Christ has undergone spiritual circumcision, the putting off of our flesh (Col. 2:11). There are also three New Testament observances that must precede our combat:
1. Our Redemption – We must identify with the Lamb that was slain. Just as the Passover reminded the children of Israel of the cost of their redemption, so the New Testament remembrance meeting reminds us of ours (1 Cor. 5:7; 11:23-26).
2. Our Sanctification – We must purge our lives from the leaven of malice and wickedness and live according to sincerity and truth (1 Cor. 5:8).
3. Our Glorification – We must place our hope in Christ, the firstfruits of the harvest (1 Cor. 15:20). Because His suffering ended, so will ours. Because of His glorious resurrection, we also will be glorified! Without this blessed hope in view, how could we even consider fighting the battle?
By observing the feasts of the Lord, the children of Israel were proving their devotion to Him, relaying the message that they were God’s chosen people—separate from the heathen of the land. Likewise, holy living is a proof that the believer is in Christ, having denied himself worldly pleasures and lusts (Titus 2:11-14).
The Man with the sword
“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?’ And He said, ‘Nay; but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come.’ And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto Him, ‘What saith my Lord unto His servant?’ And the captain of the Lord’s host said unto Joshua, ‘Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy.’ And Joshua did so” (Josh. 5:13-15).
My three-year-old daughter loves to sing about Joshua fighting the battle of Jericho. However, the careful observer would realize that the One who actually led them into battle was the same One who had brought them out of Egypt and led them in their sojourn in the wilderness for 40 years: the Angel of the Lord (Ex. 23:23). Although He looked like a man, He was not human. But God’s grace provided the Son of God with a human ancestor that week, the believing harlot from the other side of the wall (Josh. 6:25; Mt. 1:5). This same Man will go before us into battle if we wish to overcome spiritual strongholds.
The fact that He stands with a drawn sword tells us that He is ever ready to wage war on our behalf. This was not the first time He appeared with His sword drawn (Num. 22:23), nor would it be the last (Rev. 19:15). The sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, happens to be the Christian’s only offensive weapon (Eph. 6:17). If the Lord saw no substitute for it, why should we?
His title, captain of the host of the Lord, tells us that He is in charge and He is the one that truly leads us into victory. Recognizing his God, not to mention his own dependence, Joshua falls before Him in worship. Do not expect the Lord to lead you into victory unless you are prepared to worship Him first. He must have first place in our lives; second place is not an option.
More than 40 years earlier, the Angel of the Lord had instructed Moses to take his sandals off, for the place in which he stood was holy (Ex. 3:5; Acts 7:30). The Lord’s promise had come full circle. Moses brought the Israelites out of bondage, and Joshua was to bring them into their land. The Lord always keeps His end of the deal, whether we do or not.
Whose faith follow
In our opening, I described the religious stronghold in whose shadow our local assembly meets. Are there strongholds preventing you from possessing your blessings in Christ? Perhaps an academic institution is trying to shipwreck your faith in the Lord. Maybe the workforce is draining your time and energy, leaving you with little time for fellowship. The entertainment industry entices the flesh in both obvious and subtle ways. Praise God that His Man with the sword is still in the business of bringing down such strongholds!
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.” (2 Cor. 10:3-6)
Joshua’s godly faith obliterated a fortress (Heb. 11:30). Greater walls can tumble down today. Do you believe it?