Reuben and Deborah were talking with their friends Dan and Anna.
‘I like it here’ said Deborah. ‘It’s a change from the wilderness and walking on and on and on.’
‘Yes, the food is better too’ laughed Reuben. ‘I’m going to grow all these fruits and vegetables in our garden when we get one.’
‘There’s a lot to do before then’ Dan pointed out. Then, ‘Have you heard what happened yesterday?’ he asked.
No! They hadn’t heard - what was it?
‘Mm!’ said Dan thoughtfully. ‘Perhaps I shouldn’t tell you as it was only what I overheard Uncle Gera telling Dad.’
‘You mean boy!’ cried his sister Anna, throwing a clump of grass at him. ‘Tell us at once, or you’ll be sorry.’
Dan pretended to be scared and tried to run away, but the others pinned him down.
‘Tell us - or else!!’ they threatened.
‘Three on to one isn’t fair’ Dan argued laughingly.
‘No, but it works!’ Reuben agreed with a cheeky smile on his face.
‘Let me get up then, and I’ll tell you.’
Dan was pulled up immediately, they were longing to know.
Dan looked at them seriously for a moment ‘Actually it’s something rather wonderful’ he began.
The playful mood of the others immediately quietened down, they sensed that what they were almost about to hear was indeed ‘special’ news.
‘It was late last night when Uncle Gera called. He was very excited. I heard him calling “Joseph, where are you? Just listen to this.”
‘Dad came hurrying in, and Uncle said “Joshua has had a visitor sent from God. God has spoken to him, just as He spoke to Moses.”’
‘From a burning bush?’ asked Deborah.
‘No, nothing like that’ Dan answered. ‘This time it was a man who came - with a sword! So Joshua marched up to him and asked “Who are you - Friend or Foe?”
‘That was brave’ interrupted Anna.
‘Did they fight?’ asked Reuben.
‘Be quiet! Let him finish’ Deborah frowned at them.
‘You’ll never guess what the man said’ Dan continued. ‘He said “I am the Commander-in-Chief of the Lord’s Army.”
‘Commander-in Chief of the Lord’s Army’ the children repeated incredulously. How astonishing!
‘What did your Dad say?’ asked Reuben.
‘I heard him say “God has sent him to show Joshua he need not be afraid to take the land of Canaan. The Commander has come as his friend as well as his Commander.’
The children were awestruck. How thoughtful and loving was their God.
‘What happened next?’ Reuben asked eagerly.
‘Uncle said that Joshua fell to the ground and worshipped the man. He knew he was no ordinary man, and had been sent especially from God.’
‘What did Joshua say?’ Deborah wanted to know.
‘He asked the Commander what his orders were’ Dan said. He was enjoying telling them his exciting news!
‘What were they?’ Reuben broke in before Dan could continue.
Dan paused - ‘The orders were “Take off your shoes, you are standing on Holy Ground.”
A stunned silence, then, ‘The same thing God said to Moses’ almost whispered Anna, her eyes wide in amazement. ‘The very same words.’
‘That’s right! That’s why Uncle Gera said God has spoken to Joshua just the same as He had spoken to Moses. Then Dad said “We know God has promised to be with Joshua as He was with Moses, and this is God’s way of showing Joshua He will keep His promises.”’
After another silence whilst they thought of Dan’s amazing news, Deborah said ‘Your Dad is right. If God is on our side, no-one need be afraid.’
The children looked at each other, they felt courageous and joyful.
‘Let’s tell our Mum and Dad’ said Reuben.
‘Dad has already gone’ laughed Dan. ‘You’re too late!’
‘Well, we’ll tell them again’ chuckled Deborah, and singing ‘We aren’t afraid, ‘cos God is on our side’ they marched off to their tent.

Elizabeth Aynsley ©