The name, “Lord of Hosts” implies that God reigns over the heavenly and earthly armies of God. Who are these hosts or armies and what do they do? The Bible makes several references to the armies and hosts of God, as we shall see from the passages below. Jesus is at the head of them all. We are never alone in any battle of life. God is always with us.
In Joshua 5:13-14, we read about the encounter Joshua had with the Commander of God’s army. When he confronted a strange Angel by the walls of Jericho to know on whose side he was, he got a shocking response. “…And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, “Are You for us or for our adversaries?” So He said: “No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshipped, and said to Him: “What does my Lord say to His servant?” After this encounter, God then said to Joshua that he was giving Jericho, its king and people to conquer (Joshua 6:1-2). Though Joshua was physically set to fight, he did not know that God’s commander was with him.
In 2 Kings 6:15-17, when the Syrian army came to arrest Elisha, their overwhelming number frightened his servant. Then, Elisha prayed for him that God would open his eyes, which He did. Thus we read: “When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. Oh, my lord, what shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those that are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” We are never alone in the battles of life; we always have a host around us.
In the New Testament, Revelation 19:11-16, Jesus is pictured riding on a white horse and leading the army of heaven: “Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war…He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses…And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: King Of kings And Lord Of lords” (Rev.19.11-16). Jesus is the leader and commander of the army of God who goes with us to the battlefield.
When Judas came with a multitude to arrest Jesus to be crucified, Simon Peter pulled out a sword and cut off the ear of the servant of the high priest by name, Malchus. But Jesus commanded Peter to put away the sword and said, “…for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? How then could the scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?” (Matt.26.52-54 NKJV).
The hosts of God exist to protect us and fight for God’s people. To Jesus has been attributed the headship of these hosts or armies of God, and He reigns over them all.
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