📜 1. Numbers 22:22–23 – The Angel of the LORD as “Adversary”
“But God was angry because he went, and the angel of the LORD took his stand in the way as his adversary [שָׂטָן – satan]…”
(Numbers 22:22)
In Hebrew, the word שָׂטָן (satan) simply means adversary, opponent, one who resists or obstructs. It’s a role or function before it becomes a personal name. In this passage, the Angel of the LORD, often identified in theophanic appearances with Yahweh Himself, stands in the road to oppose Balaam.
So, astonishingly:
- The Angel of the LORD is playing the role of a satan—an adversary.
- He does this to oppose Balaam’s path, which appears right to Balaam but is actually in opposition to God’s deeper purposes.
🗣️ 2. Matthew 16:23 / Mark 8:33 – Jesus Rebukes Peter as “Satan”
“Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”
(Matthew 16:23, cf. Mark 8:33)
This rebuke is jarring. Just moments before, Peter confessed Jesus as the Messiah. But now, Jesus calls him “Satan.”
But again, we have to remember that in both Hebrew and Greek, “Satan” can refer to one who stands in opposition. Jesus isn’t necessarily accusing Peter of being the devil incarnate; He’s identifying Peter’s words with the role of an adversary, one standing in the way of God’s redemptive mission—just like the Angel of the LORD did with Balaam.
The key irony? In Numbers, the Angel of the LORD is the adversary of the man who opposes God. In the Gospels, Jesus identifies Peter as an adversary to the Son of Man, who is walking the path of God’s will.
Peter is unknowingly playing the Balaam role, resisting the suffering that Jesus must go through.
🧠 3. The Language of “Satan” and “Adversary”
Let’s briefly look at the words:
Hebrew: שָׂטָן (satan)
- Meaning: adversary, accuser, opponent
- Used of both:
- The Angel of the LORD (Num. 22:22)
- The accuser in Job (Job 1:6–12)
- Human adversaries (1 Sam. 29:4 – David is called a “satan” to the Philistines)
Greek: Σατανᾶς (satanas)
- Transliteration of Hebrew satan
- In New Testament context, often personalized as Satan, the enemy of God
- But retains the idea of opposition, which fits Jesus’ use with Peter.
So in Matthew 16:23 / Mark 8:33, Jesus is using “Satan” in its original function—not necessarily saying Peter is demon-possessed, but rather that he is functioning as an opposer to God’s will.
🔥 4. Jesus as the Angel of the LORD – The Divine Adversary Again
Now let’s connect it.
If Jesus is the embodied Word, and if in the Old Testament the Angel of the LORD often speaks as Yahweh Himself (cf. Exodus 3, Judges 13, Genesis 22), then the Angel in Numbers 22 is pre-incarnate Christ.
- In Numbers, Jesus-as-Yahweh stands in Balaam’s way as a satan to oppose a path that seems right to man but is wrong.
- In Matthew, Jesus rebukes Peter for opposing a path that seems wrong to man (suffering) but is right in the eyes of God.
In both cases:
- The human figure thinks they’re doing good (Balaam thinks he’s going to bless; Peter thinks he’s protecting Jesus).
- But they’re actually opposing the redemptive plan of God.
- And the divine figure stands as adversary—sometimes to oppose man (Balaam), and sometimes to identify the human as the adversary (Peter).
This creates a beautiful paradox:
Jesus, who once stood as an adversary to oppose Balaam’s path, now recognizes Peter as His adversary, standing in the way of God’s plan.
✨ Theological Implications
- Adversary isn’t always evil – Sometimes God opposes us when we’re headed in the wrong direction, even if we’re sincere.
- Human reasoning often runs contrary to divine wisdom – Peter’s rebuke sounds protective and loving, but it opposes the cross.
- God’s mission is non-negotiable – Anyone who stands in the way of the redemptive plan, even well-meaning followers, will be resisted.
🧎♂️ Devotional Reflection
- Have I ever thought I was helping God, but was actually opposing His will?
- Am I willing to be corrected—even sharply—when I set my mind on “human concerns” instead of God’s?
- Do I accept that Jesus sometimes opposes me not because He’s against me, but because He loves me enough to correct my path?
II. 🔥 Joshua 5:13–15 — The Commander of the LORD’s Army
“When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, ‘Are you for us, or for our adversaries?’ And he said, ‘No; but I am the commander of the army of the LORD. Now I have come.’ And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, ‘What does my lord say to his servant?'”
(Joshua 5:13–14)
This moment is charged with mystery and majesty. Joshua, a faithful servant of the LORD, sees a warrior with a drawn sword and asks the very human question: “Whose side are you on?”
But the answer is not what we’d expect:
“No.”
Not “I’m with you.” Not “I’m against you.” Just “No.”
Why? Because the question itself is flawed.
💡 What’s Happening Here?
The Commander of the LORD’s army is widely understood by scholars to be a theophany—a visible manifestation of God, or the pre-incarnate Christ. Joshua recognizes this immediately, as shown by his response:
- He falls down in worship.
- He removes his sandals—a direct echo of Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3).
This is no ordinary angel. This is holy ground.
And the key message here is this:
God doesn’t take sides. God takes over.
⚔️ Jesus as the Opposer — Standing in the Way of Presumption
Just as He did with Balaam in Numbers 22 and Peter in Matthew 16, Jesus appears in this moment not as a helper to Joshua’s plans, but as a divine figure who demands alignment.
Joshua is the leader of Israel. He’s on a God-given mission. And yet, before entering battle, he is confronted by the Commander of Heaven’s armies with a drawn sword.
This tells us:
- Even when we are on God’s mission, we are not automatically aligned with God’s heart.
- Jesus will oppose us, interrupt us, or stand in our way if we march forward with presumption, rather than dependence.
It’s not about whether God is on our side.
It’s about whether we are on His.
🧠 Connect the Thread: Peter, Balaam, Joshua
| Person | Thought They Were… | But Were Actually… | Divine Response |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balaam | Going to bless (or at least obey God) | Opposing God’s plan subtly | Angel of the LORD blocks the path |
| Peter | Protecting Jesus from suffering | Opposing the cross, thinking like man | Jesus calls him “Satan” |
| Joshua | Leading God’s people in holy war | Still needing to bow before the true Commander | Jesus appears with drawn sword |
In all three:
- The divine figure interrupts the plan.
- Human confidence meets holy opposition.
- Jesus acts as an adversary to self-willed action, even when it seems religious or good.
🙏 What Does This Say About Prayer and Submission?
In the Intertestamental period and beyond, prayer often became a way of getting God on our side.
But Jesus reveals a very different truth:
Prayer is not convincing God to bless our path—it is submitting to His.
Joshua’s question, “Are you for us?” is the kind of prayer we often pray without realizing it:
- “God, bless this thing I’m doing.”
- “God, be on my side in this conflict.”
- “God, support my vision.”
But the response is often: “No. Now I have come.”
He doesn’t come to join us. He comes to lead us.
And He will oppose—even in love—any path that lacks holy surrender.
✨ Reflection: Jesus, the Loving Adversary
Sometimes Jesus stands against us, not because He is angry, but because He is King.
He opposes the proud (James 4:6)
He rebukes the presumptuous (Matthew 16:23)
He stands in our way, sword drawn, to call us into worship, surrender, and alignment (Joshua 5:13–15).
Jesus is not here to join your mission.
Jesus is here to invite you into His—and anything else He will oppose.
⚔️ 1. A Drawn Sword Signals Immediate Readiness
🔥The drawn sword in Joshua 5:13–15 is no casual detail—it’s a loaded, holy, and terrifying symbol. When the Commander of the LORD’s army appears with His sword already drawn, it’s not a threat, but a declaration:
“The battle has already begun. The true war is not against Jericho. It’s about whether you will be aligned with Me.”
Let’s go deep into why that sword is drawn, and what it says about God’s authority, holiness, readiness for judgment, and the need for total surrender.
In the ancient world, a sheathed sword meant peace or neutrality.
A drawn sword meant hostility, readiness, or imminent judgment.
So when the Commander appears with His sword already out, it says:
- He’s not preparing for battle. He’s already engaged.
- He’s not asking permission to lead. He is the leader.
- He’s not joining Joshua. Joshua must join Him.
This is not a negotiation. It’s an encounter with a holy God on the verge of action.
🔥 2. It Echoes Divine Judgment from Other Sword Scenes
The “drawn sword” shows up at critical moments of divine intervention or judgment throughout Scripture:
● Genesis 3:24 – Eden
“He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way…”
Here the sword guards God’s holiness, separating sinful man from the tree of life.
● Numbers 22:23 – Balaam
“…the angel of the LORD standing in the road with his drawn sword in his hand…”
He opposes Balaam’s path, ready to strike.
● 1 Chronicles 21:16 – David’s Census
“The angel of the LORD was standing between earth and heaven, and in his hand a drawn sword stretched out over Jerusalem.”
The sword is poised in judgment, halted only by David’s repentance.
In every case, the drawn sword is a sign of divine judgment or separation, especially when humans cross lines God has set.
So in Joshua 5, before Jericho ever falls, God’s holiness confronts Joshua.
He must recognize: “This war isn’t mine. This land isn’t mine. This mission isn’t mine. It’s all His.”
✝️ 3. The Sword Represents Divine Authority, Not Human Agenda
Joshua’s natural question—“Are you for us or for our enemies?”—is exposed as flawed by the sword.
The sword says:
- “You don’t set the terms of allegiance.”
- “This is not about sides. It’s about sovereignty.”
It’s as if the Commander is saying:
“I haven’t come to take sides in your war—I’ve come to take command of it. This is My holy war. I fight for God’s justice, not your nationalism. The question is: Are you submitted to Me?”
It’s a holy check. A divine opposition. Just like with Peter in Matthew 16:23—Jesus opposes even well-meaning agendas that are rooted in human thinking rather than divine truth.
🙌 4. The Sword Calls for Surrender Before Victory
Notice Joshua’s response:
“What does my Lord say to His servant?”
He doesn’t say, “How will we win Jericho?”
He says, “What do You want?” — and he removes his sandals.
Joshua thought the next step was battle.
But the real battle was surrender—his own heart before God.
The drawn sword demanded:
- Worship before war.
- Holiness before action.
- Divine alignment before movement.
🧎 5. Jesus Draws the Sword to Cut Through Presumption
If we connect this to Jesus, the Word made flesh, the One who holds the sword that proceeds from His mouth (Revelation 19:15), then we see this:
Jesus confronts us with the sword of His Word—not to destroy us, but to cut away the pride, presumption, and flesh that resist God.
Like Peter, like Balaam, like Joshua, we all stand before the Commander at some point and ask:
“Are You on my side?”
And the sword answers:
“No. I came to take over.”
🧠 Summary: Why Is the Sword Drawn?
- To declare that the LORD is already at war—and we must choose alignment.
- To show that even the “heroes” need to bow before entering holy territory.
- To warn that God’s holiness will not be manipulated for human goals.
- To prepare the heart—not just the army—for Kingdom obedience.
III. ⚔️ PART 1: The Angel of the LORD — Drawn Sword, Divine Authority
In Joshua 5, Numbers 22, and 1 Chronicles 21, the Angel of the LORD appears with a drawn sword, signifying:
- Immediate judgment
- Holy confrontation
- Divine ownership of the mission
This figure—likely a pre-incarnate Christ—doesn’t come to reinforce human agendas. He comes to take over. The sword is already out because:
The battle is holy. The time is now. You must bow.
It is visual, physical, and terrifying—yet it speaks of a deeper truth: God fights differently.
🗡️ PART 2: Jesus Tells Peter, “Put Your Sword Away” — Matthew 26:52
“Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword.”
This is the night of His betrayal. Peter draws his blade, ready to fight the wrong enemy.
And Jesus, the same One who once stood before Joshua with a sword, now refuses to wield one.
Why? Because the battle has shifted.
He is not fighting Rome. He is defeating death, sin, and Satan.
Jesus shows:
- The kingdom of God is not advanced by human violence.
- The real enemy isn’t Judas, soldiers, or the Sanhedrin.
- The true victory will come through a cross, not a sword.
The sword of men cuts ears.
The Word of God cuts hearts.
💥 PART 3: The Real Battle — Ephesians 6:12
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against… spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
This reframes everything:
- Peter misunderstood the enemy.
- Joshua had to submit to the real Commander.
- We are not fighting people, systems, or governments. We are battling spiritual darkness.
And what’s the weapon we’re told to take up?
“The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.”
(Ephesians 6:17)
This is the sword Jesus now wields—not to cut people down, but to expose and conquer the lies that bind them.
🔍 PART 4: The Word as a Sword — Hebrews 4:12
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword…”
This passage brings the spiritual dimension of the sword to light:
- It pierces soul and spirit.
- It discerns thoughts and intentions.
- It divides truth from deception.
Jesus doesn’t wield a sword against Peter—He lets the Word of God do the cutting, exposing Peter’s misunderstanding of the Kingdom.
Just as He did when He said, “Get behind Me, Satan.” (Matthew 16:23)
👑 PART 5: The Final Sword — Revelation 19:15
“From His mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations…”
Now we return to the Commander of the LORD’s army, but glorified, enthroned, victorious.
This time, Jesus is not:
- Holding a literal sword,
- Nor cutting ears,
- Nor standing silently in surrender.
This sword comes from His mouth—symbolizing the Word of Truth that judges nations, shatters lies, and establishes righteousness.
What Jesus refused to do in Gethsemane with Peter’s sword, He now accomplishes through the spoken Word of God.
He doesn’t fight with weapons of men. He fights with the truth of heaven.
💡 Final Contrast: Swords of Flesh vs. Sword of the Spirit
| Scenario | Sword Used | Purpose | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joshua before Jericho | Drawn sword (physical) | Confront human leadership | Joshua submits, removes sandals |
| Balaam’s encounter | Drawn sword (warning) | Oppose corrupt intent | Balaam humbled, rebuked by donkey |
| Peter in Gethsemane | Man’s sword | Defend Jesus in flesh | Rebuked by Jesus, ear healed |
| Jesus in Revelation 19 | Sword from His mouth | Execute divine justice | Righteous judgment over nations |
| Believers in Ephesians 6 | Sword of the Spirit | Stand against spiritual darkness | Victory through truth and faith |
| Word in Hebrews 4 | Sharp, active, discerning | Pierce inner being | Heart exposed before God |
🙏 Takeaway: Jesus Still Wields a Sword—But Not Like We Expect
- He opposes us when we move in the flesh.
- He refuses our swords when they fight the wrong enemy.
- He cuts to the heart with the Word of God.
- He will one day strike the nations with truth—not brutality.
- He calls us to fight with truth, holiness, and surrender, not pride and violence.