The Commander of The Lord’s Army

Summary

The Chosen People – “The Commander of The Lord’s Army”

Podcast Host: Pray.com
Date: March 12, 2026
Episode Theme:
This episode of The Chosen People brings listeners into the tense days before the fall of Jericho, blending dramatized narration and dialogue drawn from the Book of Joshua. The focus is on Joshua’s challenge as a leader in uncertain circumstances, Rahab’s precarious hope, the Israelites’ spiritual preparation, and a profound spiritual encounter that reframes the coming battle as belonging to God, not man.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Tension in Jericho

Timestamps: 00:38 – 05:39

• Jericho on Edge: The city is anxious and demoralized by the approaching Israelites, with rumors and fear spreading among the population and its leaders.
  • Quote ([00:38], Joshua’s Council Member):
    “The people of Jericho are terrified of us. Our very presence on this side of the river has broken their morale. Every rumor in town confirmed it, but they are on high alert.”
• Rahab’s Influence and Uncertainty:
  Rahab is depicted as a figure of influence and information, using her connections to learn of the city’s state. She internally struggles between hope – having made a covenant with the Israelite spies – and fear for her family’s fate:
  • Quote ([04:06], Narrator):
    “Rahab’s kindling of faith still burned, but it waned as each day played out.”

2. Israel’s Spiritual Preparation

Timestamps: 05:39 – 09:53

• Ending the Wandering:
  The Israelites have just observed Passover in the land for the first time and eaten from its produce; “gone were the days of daily manna.”
• Circumcision of the New Generation:
  Joshua has complied with God’s command to circumcise all the men born in the wilderness, marking both obedience and covenant renewal — an act applauded by leadership despite the vulnerability it created.
  • Quote ([07:28], Joshua):
    “The Lord has rolled away the disgrace from Egypt at last. It is fitting that our men will bear the covenant mark when they go into battle.”
• Leadership and Uncertainty:
  Joshua’s council presses for a battle plan, discussing traditional siege tactics, but Joshua confesses he awaits divine guidance rather than rushing ahead with human wisdom.
  • Quote ([09:53], Joshua):
    “The Lord has not yet revealed to me the next move, but he will. We mustn’t move until he gives the command. We cannot go forth without his guidance.”

3. Faith Under Pressure and Collective Encouragement

Timestamps: 09:53 – 10:51

• Rallying the Council:
  A scene of shared encouragement and scriptural resolve as the leaders repeat words central to Joshua’s commission:
  • Quote ([10:27], Joshua):
    “Rakh Chasamatz. We will not be discouraged. For the Lord our God is with us.”
  • Quote ([10:41], Joshua's Council Member):
    “We will be strong, Amats.”
  • Quote ([10:43], Yasib):
    "We will be courageous."

4. Joshua Encounters the Commander of the Lord’s Army

Timestamps: 11:40 – 15:26

• Joshua’s Restlessness:
  Alone before dawn, Joshua grapples internally with the looming battle until a mysterious figure interrupts his solitude.
• Divine Encounter:
  Joshua faces a silent, imposing warrior whose presence exudes an “otherworldly stillness.” After challenging him—“Are you for us or for our enemies?”—the answer reframes the entire situation:
  • Quote ([14:59], Stranger):
    “Neither. I have come as commander of the Lord’s army.”
• Joshua’s Humble Submission:
  Understanding he’s in the presence of the divine, Joshua falls to the ground and asks for guidance.
  • Quote ([15:19], Stranger):
    “Remove the sandals from your feet, for where you are standing is holy ground.”
• Echo of Sacred Past:
  The moment mirrors Moses’ burning bush encounter, underscoring Joshua’s role and the holiness of his mission.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [01:14], Joshua (reaffirming God’s promise):
  “I have given you every place where the sole of your foot will tread. Just as I promised Moses.”
• [07:28], Joshua (on covenant renewal):
  “The Lord has rolled away the disgrace from Egypt at last.”
• [09:53], Joshua (on waiting for God):
  “We cannot go forth without his guidance.”
• [10:27], Joshua (courage under pressure):
  “Rakh Chasamatz. We will not be discouraged. For the Lord our God is with us.”
• [14:59], Commander of the Lord’s Army:
  “Neither. I have come as commander of the Lord’s army.”
• [15:19], Commander to Joshua:
  “Remove the sandals from your feet, for where you are standing is holy ground.”

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Important Segment Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment |
|-----------|---------|
| 00:38–05:39 | Scenes inside Jericho and Rahab’s perspective |
| 05:39–09:53 | Israelite encampment: circumcision, council meeting |
| 09:53–10:51 | Joshua’s speech, council encouragement |
| 11:40–15:26 | Joshua’s dawn encounter with the divine commander |

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Tone and Language

The episode is rich in dramatic dialogue, immersive narrative, and reverent retelling, capturing both the inner fears and the strong faith of the characters as they face an unknown but divinely-orchestrated future.

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Summary Takeaway

This episode explores faith, obedience, and leadership under pressure. Joshua stands at a crossroads—urged by his people to act, yet resolved not to step outside God’s command. The story climaxes as Joshua meets the commander of the Lord’s army, dramatically asserting that the coming battle is not human, but God's. The episode intertwines historical drama with spiritual reflection, inviting listeners to find parallels in their own journeys of waiting, uncertainty, and hope.

Transcript

[Podcast Host]

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[Narrator]

Previously on the Chosen People.

[Joshua's Council Member]

The people of Jericho are terrified of us. Our very presence on this side of the river has broken their morale. Every rumor in town confirmed it, but they they are on high alert. The city is fortified and they are preparing for a siege.

[Joshua]

And what of the walls? We've taken fortified cities before, but their walls were built into the basalt rock formations. There were footholds for our climbers and

[Yasib]

we have no siege towers, ramps or scaling ladders. What are we going to do?

[Joshua]

I have given you every place where the sole of your foot will tread. Just as I promised Moses.

[Narrator]

No one will stand against you. As long as I will be with

[Joshua]

you, just as I was with Moses. I will not leave you nor abandon you.

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[Yasib]

You heard the latest rumors?

[Narrator]

Rahab Rahab feigned interest in Yasib. She had dealt with many self important members of the King's council in her profession, but Yassib was perhaps one of the more insufferable. He leaned forward conspiratorially to tell her secrets she probably already knew Rahab had many spies throughout the city, and news always came to her ears first. Men were far more likely to share information to her girls. Pleasure was a much more efficient way of gaining information than torture or fear. Dealing with secrets was yet another source of Rahab's influence in Jericho. There was a reason Rahab owned a house in a city where so few other men or women could boast the same.

[Podcast Host]

No. Tell me, Master Yasib, what have you heard?

[Yasib]

The castle is abuzz. You see, the Amorite and Canaanite kings to the west are scared. They're all beside themselves worrying about those Hebrews outside the city.

[Podcast Host]

But not concerned enough to send aid to augment our defenses, I assume.

[Yasib]

No, not so concerned as that. They're worried they'll come for them next when they're finished with us. First Sihan and Oji, and now us. And you heard about what their God did down the plains with the river?

[Narrator]

Rahab nodded. She had. It was remarkable. And she also knew about the fears of Jericho suffering the same fate as the other Amorite cities. It was all anyone could talk about lately, and understandably so. But she also had the assurance of the oath of the two Israelite spies. Caleb and Salman promised that her family would be spared when the city was inevitably sacked. But who could say how long they could last within the walls if the siege dragged on too long? Rahab's kindling of faith still burned, but it waned as each day played out.

[Podcast Host]

Has the castle received word on whether or not the Israelites are on the move?

[Narrator]

A careful question as the days went by. The city had become a dangerous place, even more than it already was. Food was worth more than gold, and thieves would gut you for an extra portion. With the sealed city gates, traders patroning her businesses had also dried up. Her only customers were Yasib and men like him, desperate and lost enough to spend the last of their coins on fleeting, meaningless nights of pleasure as the world around them went to hell.

[Yasib]

They don't know when the attack will come. I don't know why they haven't passed their advantage yet. But I suppose then I wouldn't be here drinking with you if they moved already.

[Narrator]

Rahab laughed with the cynical official, and they both drained their cups before she led the man upstairs. She sighed at the truth of his words. No, if the Israelites had already taken the city, she would not be here at all. She would have to wait just a little longer for her rescue. About two miles away, on the plains of Jericho, the Israelites had just observed passover they had eaten unleavened bread and roasted grain from the ample produce of the land. Gone were the days of daily manna. Israel would eat from the crops of Canaan from now on. Joshua called his council to his tent to receive an update on how the men, especially the fighting men, were recovering from their recent circumcisions. It had been one week since their crossing of the Jordan. Since then, the Lord had commanded Joshua to circumcise the generation born in the wilderness. The Israelites had obeyed the command, but the soldiers were understandably wary of being incapacitated so close to their enemies. The men on Joshua's council, with the exception of Phinehas, were circumcised as infants on their eighth day. Day, as was the custom of their forebearers. But the practice had not been observed in the wilderness. Joshua did not envy them having to endure the procedure as adults, but he applauded their obedience to what the Lord commanded. This was a necessary step in preparation for taking the promised land. Eleazar agreed wholeheartedly and affirmed to the other counselors and the recently recovered figures. He gently squeezed his son's hand and rallied the room.

[Joshua]

Yes, we'll be ready. In more ways than one. The Lord has rolled away the disgrace from Egypt at last. It is fitting that our men will bear the covenant mark when they go into battle.

[Narrator]

Phinehas nodded boldly on behalf of his generation. His uncle Ithamar took the opportunity to voice the unspoken question before them.

[Joshua]

Yes, yes.

[Yasib]

And now that the men have recovered and Passover has been observed, all good and worthy things. We come at last to the point of action. When do you plan to lead the armies to Jericho?

[Joshua's Council Member]

I happen to agree with Ithamar. What is our strategy with Jericho? Joshua, now that the men have recovered, should we build siege towers or ladders to climb the walls? I have the archers and metalworkers prepared for our attack.

[Narrator]

The five pairs of eyes in Joshua's trusted counsel were all fixed on him eagerly. Joshua still wasn't used to that part, the silence of others waiting for some profound plan of action. He wasn't like Moses. He didn't have the voice of the Lord continually whispering in his ear. Joshua hesitated. It wasn't that he didn't have ideas of how to mount a defense against the walls of Jericho. He spent years combing through ideas and learning all he could about military tactics. Joshua knew they could only go forward now. They couldn't retreat or go around Jericho. To leave their women, children, and livestock on the plains of Jericho would mean death. They were vulnerable, and with nothing but the river at their backs, they would be easy targets. Jericho had to be taken first. The question was how? Joshua winced when he realized that he had gone too long without responding. He tightened his jaw and sighed. He had to let go of the pressure of being exactly like Moses. The Lord had called Joshua. As Joshua, he had to lean into what he knew best. He was a strategist and soldier, a man of the marching. From the moment he was plucked from his flock into the inner circle of Moses, he had been a fighting man. And fight he would. But Joshua was a good soldier. He wouldn't march without a command. He needed to seek the Lord. He turned to his council with a raised chest.

[Joshua]

I know we have waited a long time for this. For some it's been decades, and for others, an entire lifetime. I know you all look to me to lead as you once did, Moses. But I would call on you, brothers to wait a little bit longer. The Lord has not yet revealed to me the next move, but he will. We mustn't move until he gives the command. We cannot go forth without his guidance. Together we will be strong.

[Joshua's Council Member]

We will be courageous.

[Joshua]

Rakh Chasamatz. We will not be discouraged. For the Lord our God is with us.

[Narrator]

The same five men pounded the table and agreed with Joshua's stirring speech.

[Joshua's Council Member]

We will be strong, Amats.

[Yasib]

We will be courageous.

[Joshua]

The Lord our God is with us.

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This episode is brought to you by Spreaker, the platform responsible for a rapidly spreading condition known as podcast brain. Symptoms include buying microphones you don't need, explaining RSS feeds to confused relatives, and saying things like, sorry, I can't talk right now, I'm editing audio. If this sounds familiar, you're probably already a podcaster. The good news is Spreaker makes the whole process simple. You record your show, upload it once, and Spreaker distributes it everywhere. People listen Apple podcasts, Spotify, and about a dozen apps your cousin swears are the next big thing. Even better, Spreaker helps you monetize your show with ads, meaning your podcast might someday pay for, well, more microphones. Start your show [e-mail] spreaker because if you're going to talk to yourself for an hour, you might as well publish it.

[Narrator]

Joshua woke well before dawn and found himself walking along the banks of the Jordan River. The wide noise of the waters intermixed with the faint tunes of of songbirds rising. All was calm. One would never know that a monolithic wall hoarding thousands of bloodthirsty Canaanites were only a few miles away. Joshua found little peace as of late. Sleep eluded him. The morning was still dim, and a ghostly glow of fog lingered over the coursing body of water. Joshua could scarcely, scarcely make out the river below its banks. In the darkness, Joshua's breath was barely visible in the dark, cool morning air. As the sun started to peek over the ridge of the mountains, the faint silhouette of Jericho was appearing. The impending sunrise was beginning to light the famed palms preceding it. A sudden stillness behind Joshua caused the hairs on his arms to stand on end. The river noise seemed far away. Joshua's hand instinctively reached for the blade on his left hip. He freed it from its scabbard a half a second later and whirled around to face the threat. A man stood on the bank before him, the sunrise silhouetting his frame. Metal armor gleamed in the predawn. He stood about 20 paces away, and a great sword and shield donned each arm. Joshua Scott squinted into the steadily expanding sunrise and crouched in a practiced defensive stance.

[Joshua's Council Member]

Who are you?

[Joshua]

What's your business?

[Narrator]

The man remained silent but continued his slow pace toward him. Joshua rolled his neck back, bracing for a possible fight. The man stomped about 20ft in front of him. He clearly wasn't one of Joshua's men. None of them dawned such immaculate armor, and he didn't seem to be Canaanite, especially since a Canaanite soldier would miss the opportunity to ambush him. The man seemed to be neither friend nor foe. Then there was the stillness that accompanied him. It was an otherworldly stillness. The earth rippled slightly underneath the man's feet. Joshua peered closely at the warrior, donned in the armor of a commander, yet wearing no banner or crest. That's when a thought passed through Joshua's mind. Memories of old stories reemerged in his consciousness. He remembered the story of Abraham and the king of Salem. He recalled the adversary that wrestled with Jacob. He thought about the way Moses described the burning bush, pulsing with power. These thoughts gave way to a question, which Joshua shouted into the distance between them.

[Joshua]

Are you for us or for our enemies?

[Narrator]

Joshua could not read the man's expression as his helmet and the position of the sun obscured his face from view. Nor did he move not to strike or attack, but not to lower his weapons in peace either. Neither A simple answer, but far from comforting.

[Joshua]

Then who are you? I have come as commander of the Lord's army.

[Narrator]

Recognition smacked Joshua in the face, though he did not understand fully. He dropped his weapon immediately and bowed low with his face to the ground in homage.

[Joshua's Council Member]

Tell me, what does my Lord want

[Joshua]

to say to his servant? Remove the sandals from your feet, for where you are standing is holy ground.

[Narrator]

Joshua scrambled to do as he bid, resumed his subservient position on the banks of the river, and waited to finally receive the Lord's direction.

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this prey.com production is only made possible by our dedicated team of creative talents. Steve Cattina, Max Bard, Zach Shellavager and Ben Gammon are the executive producers of the Chosen People. Narrated by Paul Coltofianu. Characters are voiced by Jonathan Cotton, Aaron Salvato, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Stephen Ringwald, Sylvia zaradoc, Thomas Copeland Jr. Rosanna Pilcher and Mitch Leschinsky. Music by Andrew Morgan Smith. Written by Aaron Salvato, Bree Rosalie and Chris Baig. You can hear more Pray.com productions on the Pray.com app available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. If you enjoyed the Chosen People, please rate and leave a review.

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