Angels From Sinai to the Taking of Jericho
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If the eyes of Joshua had been opened ... and he could have endured
the sight, he would have seen the angels of the Lord encamped about
the children of Israel; for the trained army of heaven had come to fight
for the people of God, and the Captain of the Lord’s host was there to
command.—
The Review and Herald, July 19, 1892
.
As Joshua withdrew from the armies of Israel, to meditate and
pray for God’s special presence to attend him, he saw a man of lofty
stature, clad in warlike garments, with his sword in his hand.... This
was no common angel. It was the Lord Jesus Christ, He who had
conducted the Hebrews through the wilderness, enshrouded in the
pillar of fire by night, and a pillar of cloud by day. The place was made
sacred by His presence, therefore Joshua was commanded to put off
his shoes.—
Spiritual Gifts 4a:61
.
Awe-stricken, Joshua fell upon his face and worshiped, and heard
the assurance, “I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king
thereof, and the mighty men of valor,” and he received instruction for
the capture of the city.—
Patriarchs and Prophets, 488
.
The Captain of the Lord’s host did not reveal Himself to all the
congregation. He communicated only with Joshua, who related the
story of this interview to the Hebrews. It rested with them to believe
or to doubt the words of Joshua, to follow the commands given by
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him in the name of the Captain of the Lord’s host, or to rebel against
his directions and deny his authority. They could not see the host of
angels, marshaled by the Son of God.—
Testimonies for the Church
4:162, 163
.
The Taking of Jericho
The Captain of the Lord’s host Himself came from heaven to lead
the armies of heaven in an attack upon the city. Angels of God laid hold
of the massive walls and brought them to the ground.—
Testimonies
for the Church 3:264
.
Christ and angels attended the circuit of the ark around Jericho, and
finally cast down the massive walls of the city, and delivered Jericho
into the hands of Israel.—
The Spirit of Prophecy 1:399
.
When Jericho fell, no human hand touched the walls of the city,
for the angels of the Lord overthrew the fortifications, and entered the
fortress of the enemy. It was not Israel, but the Captain of the Lord’s