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CAPTAIN The Captain of our salvation is a name given to the Lord (Heb 2:10), because He is the author and source of our salvation, the head of His people, whom He is conducting to glory. The title captain of the Lord's Host (Jos 5:14, Jos 5:15) is the name given to that Person who showed Himself to Joshua as they were about to go into battle against Jericho. It was one of the pre-incarnate appearings of the Son of God in human form. Joshua discovered it was far more than "a Man" who stood there, and therefore he prostrated himself before Him and humbly sought His will. Had this Visitor been only an angel, he would have rebuked Joshua for worshipping Him (Rev. 19:10; 22:8, 9); but this Person accepted it, hence supporting His Deity! This "Man over against him, with His sword drawn in His hand" had come as no idle spectator of the conflict, but to command and direct every movement of their battles. "As Captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. This title reminds us that He is the head of all principality and power, Col 2:10. These days we apply the word captain to an officer below the rank of Major or rear Admiral, but the word in the Greek is a more general term meaning the Author or source of anything. It is translated by different words in other parts of the New Testament, e.g. in Act 3:15 and Acts 5:31, it is rendered prince. In Heb 12:2, it is rendered author. It means literally, Prince-leader, One blazing the way. Our Christian lives can be full of difficulties, dangers, and opposition, just like Israel experienced in the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land. Just like Joshua led the people into the Promised Land, so will our Lord lead us into our heavenly inheritance. This title of Christs, then, is for the encouragement of our hearts: He is the Captain, the Leader, and His power guarantees the successful outcome of our warfare.
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