Sunday, November 7, 2004 (Tone 8)
The Thirty-Three Martyrs of Militene
1st Vespers, Synaxis of Bodiless Powers: Joshua 5:13-15 Epistle: Ephesians 2:4-10
Gospel: St. Luke 8:26-39
Joshua 5:13-15, especially vs. 13: "When Joshua was by
Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man stood before him with his drawn
sword in his hand...." Listen to St. Nikolai of Zica's teaching: "that the angels are constantly
involved in this world is testified to, clearly and unmistakably, in Holy Scripture." The present
short reading from the Book of Joshua supports St. Nikolai's assertion, and, at the same time,
reveals how to respond to the constant presence and activity of the Bodiless Powers. In the
passage, God 1) reminds us to be alert to their presence and activity, 2) discloses what to expect
from their manifestations, and 3) indicates how to receive them rightly.
Let us begin with the situation of the servant of God, Joshua. He "was by Jericho" (vs. 13),
reconnoitering, praying, considering a plan of attack, wondering about the word from God which
he had earlier received: "every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you,
as I promised to Moses" (Josh. 1:3). He had obeyed that word of the Lord and had led the People
across the Jordan river into the Land. He had prepared God's People by circumcision and a
solemn celebration of Passover. Now the task of conquest confronted him in palpable form, in
the looming walls of the fortress city of Jericho. As he lifted up his eyes and looked at the
defenses, "behold, a man stood before him with his drawn sword in his hand" (vs. 13).
In this instance, the Archangel Michael, the "commander of the army of the Lord" (vs. 14), was
manifested to God's Prophet, who was the Divinely anointed Leader of the army of the Lord's
People on earth. Observe how Michael appeared, in a manner accessible to Joshua's heart and
mind: as a man, as a soldier, as a warrior ready for battle, that is, sword in hand (vs. 13). We
mortals, fashioned of the stuff of earth, can readily grasp the reality of another human when we
meet one, despite differences of race, ethnicity, appearance, and even gender. God knows this
perfectly well, and the supreme revelation of this truth was the Incarnation of God the Son in the
flesh. It is God's nature to speak in such a way that we can comprehend what He wishes us to
know. After all, "in these last days [He has] spoken to us by His Son" (Heb. 1:2). In this
manifestation, Archangel Michael came in a form quite specific to Joshua's immediate
circumstances. He was manifested as a soldier ready for combat, as one exactly like Joshua
himself. So obvious was this to Joshua that the Prophet immediately had to know, "Are you for
us, or for our adversaries?" (vs. 13). Joshua was absorbed in the military mission he had received
from the Lord, and God joined His chief earthly soldier with His chief heavenly soldier.
Learn from this! When we are engaged in a labor to which God has called us, are giving that
work undivided attention, and are considering its concrete elements in prayer and reflection,
seeking to apply the word of God, the Lord is faithful to send a messenger to encourage us.
Notice that the Archangel came to Joshua when he was laboring to carry out God's great plan of
salvation. God is most likely to send His angelic beings, in a form visible to our bodily eyes or at
least to the eyes of our heart, exactly when we are engaged in His saving work in this world.
In the interaction between the Archangel and Joshua, observe how we ought to respond when
angelic messengers speak: "Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and worshiped, and said to him,
'What does my lord bid his servant?'" (vs. 14). Reverence was required. He was standing on
Holy Land which the Lord was about to give to Israel, so it was required that he honor the holy
ground as Moses did before at the burning bush (Ex. 3:5). Let each of us always respect what is
holy.
O Lord our Help, Who knowest we can do nothing without Thee, assist us through the guidance
of Thy holy angels that we may accomplish those tasks to which Thou hast called us.