10 While the sons of Israel camped at Gilgal they observed the Passover on the evening of the fourteenth e day of the month on the desert plains of Jericho . 11 On the day after the Passover , on that very day , they ate some of the produce of the land , unleavened cakes and parched grain. 12 The manna ceased on the day after they had eaten some of the produce of the land , so that the sons of Israel no longer had manna , but they ate some of the yield of the land of Canaan during that year .
13 Now it came about when Joshua was by Jericho , that he lifted up his eyes and looked , and behold , a man was standing opposite him with his sword drawn in his hand , and Joshua went to him and said to him, "Are you for us or for our adversaries ?" 14 He said , "No ; rather I indeed come now as captain of the host of the Lord ." And Joshua fell on his face to the earth , and bowed down , and said to him, "What has my lord to say to his servant ?" 15 The captain of the Lord'S host said to Joshua , " Remove your sandals from your feet , for the place where e you are standing is holy ." And Joshua did so .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Joshua 5:10-15
Commentary on Joshua 5:10-12
(Read Joshua 5:10-12)
A solemn passover was kept, at the time appointed by the law, in the plains of Jericho, in defiance of the Canaanites round about them. It was a performance of the promise, that when they went up to keep the feasts, their land should be under the special protection of the Divine providence, Exodus 34:24. Notice is taken of the ceasing of the manna as soon as they had eaten the old corn of the land. For as it came just when they needed, so it continued as long as they needed it. This teaches us not to expect supplies by miracles, when they may be had in a common way. The word and ordinances of God are spiritual manna, with which God nourishes his people in this wilderness. Though often forfeited, yet they are continued while we are here; but when we come to the heavenly Canaan, this manna will cease, for we shall no longer need it.
Commentary on Joshua 5:13-15
(Read Joshua 5:13-15)
We read not of any appearance of God's glory to Joshua till now. There appeared to him one as a man to be noticed. This Man was the Son of God, the eternal Word. Joshua gave him Divine honours: he received them, which a created angel would not have done, and he is called Jehovah, Joshua 6:2. To Abraham he appeared as a traveller; to Joshua as a man of war. Christ will be to his people what their faith needs. Christ had his sword drawn, which encouraged Joshua to carry on the war with vigour. Christ's sword drawn in his hand, denotes how ready he is for the defence and salvation of his people. His sword turns every way. Joshua will know whether he is a friend or a foe. The cause between the Israelites and Canaanites, between Christ and Beelzebub, will not admit of any man's refusing to take one part or the other, as he may do in worldly contests. Joshua's inquiry shows an earnest desire to know the will of Christ, and a cheerful readiness and resolution to do it. All true Christians must fight under Christ's banner, and they will conquer by his presence and assistance.