The Captain of our Salvation Larry W. Peebles September 21, 2018 18.26
The leader who is in charge makes a difference. If the nation feels the country is headed in the wrong direction, expect the voters to select the candidate from the other political party in the next election. When the shareholders of a company feel performance has stalled or the company is headed in the wrong direction, expect the board of directors to name a new CEO. Sports teams dissapointed with the team’s results will name a new head coach. If we are not satisfied with a service or product we have purchased, and customer service does not offer a satisfactory solution, we ask to speak to the manager, someone in charge. Our expectation in all these examples is that the new person in charge will make a difference.
The Bible refers to this person in charge as “captain”. When the children of Israel asked God for a king, He gave them Saul as their first king. 1 Samuel 9: 15-16 says- “Now the day before Saul came, the Lord had revealed this to Samuel [the prophet]. About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him leader over my people Israel; he will deliver my people from the hand of the Philistines. I have looked upon my people, for their cry has reached me.” The word “leader” in that passage is the Hebrew word “nagid” (Strong’s #5057), and also translates as captain, commander, and chief ruler. Saul was captain of the Israelites, appointed king by God, and anointed by Samuel.
Saul did not get the results God expected. He was victorious over the Philistines, but when God asked him to totally destroy the Amalekites and all their possessions, he came up short. He was in a position to destroy everything, but he kept some of the spoils of the battle for himself. (1 Samuel 15: 13-23). He also did not wait for a word of instruction from God. His choice was to engage in witchcraft by consulting a medium. God considered this an act of rebellion, and replaced him with another king, David. 2 Samuel 5: 1-2 reads- “Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and spoke saying ‘Indeed we are your bone and your flesh. Also, in time past, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them in; and the Lord said to you ‘You shall shepherd My people Israel, and be ruler [nagid] over Israel.”’ David was not only made the new captain, God was so pleased with his heart to follow Him that He handed David victory after victory over the enemies of Israel. He promised David “your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.” (2 Samuel 7:16). Subsequent kings would come from the line of David. More importantly, the King of Kings, Jesus, would come from the line of David. He is the last and ultimate captain.
The Old Testament Book of Joshua gives a vivid word picture of Jesus in that role. The people of Israel had fled Egypt after 430 years of captivity. They had wandered in the desert for forty more years. Moses had passed, and Joshua was their new leader. After they had consecrated themselves by circumcision, they crossed the Jordan River into the land promised to their forefathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Their first assignment was to take the city of Jericho. As they approached Jericho, we read in Joshua 5: 13-15- “And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man [Jesus] stood 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?’ So He said ‘No, but as Commander [nagid-captain] of the army of the Lord I have now come.’ And Joshua fell on his face on the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, ‘What does My Lord say to His servant?’ Then the Commander of the army of The Lord said to Joshua, ‘Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy.’ And Joshua did so.”
Jesus as Captain and Commander of the army of The Lord was there to ensure Joshua’s victory over the city of Jericho. No other soldiers, weapons, or strategy would be necessary. All of the power of the Creator, and all the resources of Heaven were available to Joshua to ensure the outcome. A close analogy might be five-star Gen. Dwight Eisenhower, who was made Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in WW II. All the armies and resources of all the nations allied against Nazi Germany were under his command. The United States, Great Britain, France, Canada, Australia and all the European countries that still had an army took their orders from him. They followed his plan and the timing of his orders. When Eisenhower assumed command, the world situation was dire, as the enemy had the upper hand. The defeat of the evil Nazis depended on his strategy and use of resources as the supreme commander. On a much larger scale, Jesus identifies Himself as the Supreme Commander, the Captain, of the armies of The Lord.
Joshua recognized his Lord, but Jesus made it clear who He was when He told Joshua the same thing He told Moses at the burning bush. He said “Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy ground.” (Exodus 3:5; Joshua 5:15). Jesus exercised all authority to deliver on the plan laid out to Moses when he promised to deliver them out of Egypt, as well as the promises made to Abraham and his descendants for generations. The children of Israel were to grow into a great nation, and dwell in a land flowing with milk and honey. God promised it, and it was going to happen.
Isaiah Chapter 55 is an invitation to all regarding the same abundant life promised the children of Israel. In verse 4, Isaiah is speaking prophetically of Jesus when he says- “I have given him as a witness to the people, a leader [nagid] and commander for the people.” Joshua had the assurance of the Commander that nothing would prevent their entering the Promised Land victoriously. Isaiah prophesied that the Commander [Jesus] will lead all into the abundant life. The power of His body and blood sealed the outcome.
Taking this a step further, we now turn to Hebrews 2:10- “For it was fitting for Him [Jesus], for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” The Father offered Jesus the Son a bride, the church. Jesus told the Father He would in return make (restore) many sons for the Father—the sons of glory. He was willing to suffer to lead a perfect life. His perfect life qualified Him to be the perfect and final sacrifice for the sins of the world. It is sin that separates man from the glory of God. With his sin atoned, man could be forgiven, cleansed of sin, and made righteous by the blood of Jesus. Walking in righteousness, man could once again find the glory with which he was created. Jesus as Supreme Commander and Captain had the prefect plan and all the resources of Heaven and earth to defeat the enemy of that plan. He did not create man to forsake him when he sinned and fell away. His plan for the salvation of man would not fail. Jesus is still undefeated as Captain and Supreme Commander.
To realize our potential as sons of glory, we must believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior, turn away from sin to obey Him, and follow His plan for our lives. When we do that by faith we can know that our salvation is secure. The Captain of our salvation has already spoken. 1 Corinthians 15:50-57 speaks of our final victory, and all are encouraged to read it. Focus on verse 57- “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jesus has defeated the devil, and has given us the authority to occupy the ground formerly in enemy hands. Our salvation is secure if we believe and obey orders. God teaches and uses men to resist the devil and defeat evil. Jesus has more than earned His rank as Supreme Commander. When we put our trust in the Captain of the armies of the Lord, we are not only assured victory, we will also help lead others into triumph.
