We’re introduced to this name in Joshua 5:13-15 in an event wedged between the first Passover in the promised land and the battle of Jericho: And it came to be, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked and saw a Man 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?” And He said, “No, for I have now come as Captain of the host ofיהוה .” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and did obeisance, and said to Him, “What is my Master saying to His servant?”

This was Joshua’s burning bush moment. He saw a Man unfamiliar, yet with a drawn sword, and demanded to know whether the Man was for or against him.  To this reasonable question the Man’s response is as interesting as it is insightful. The Man changed the order of command: He was neither for nor against Joshua. The question was where in relation to Him Joshua stood in this matter. Upon hearing that, Joshua fell down in worship realising he was in the manifested company of YHVH Tseva’ot. Key to unlock this are the words he lifted his eyes and looked [ra’ah] and saw. Joshua grew intellectually and spiritually from seeing in the physical, to insight in the identity of the Man, to a place of reverent awe: three different dimensions of the word ra’ah, with him responding physically to the weight of the realisation. Inspired by this Joshua could say at the end of his life: Choose for yourselves this day whom you are going to serve, but I and my house, we serve יהוה (Joshua 24:15c).

Samuel also saw, had insight into and was in awe of YHVH. He could thus instruct Saul in the name of YHVH Tseva’ot in 1 Sam 15 to destroy the arrogant and deceitful Amalek that sought to bring fear, doubt and unbelief into the camp.  Likewise did David see, have insight in the might of YHVH and stood in awe of Him. He could tell the arrogant and blasphemous Goliath in 1 Sam 17:45-47: You come to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the Name ofיהוה  of hosts, the Elohim of the armies of Yisra’ĕl, whom you have reproached … All the earth will know the battle belongs toיהוה .

Joshua, Samuel and David knew they were but mere vessels, instruments, in the army of YHVH Tseva’ot, because they could see beyond the physical, had spiritual insight in matters and stood in awe of HIM. YHVH Tseva’ot will always be against the arrogant such as those who wish to usurp the wages of the vulnerable.  James 5:4 states: See, the wages of the workmen who mowed your fields, which you kept back, cry out. And the cries of the reapers have reached the ears ofיהוה  of hosts.

 Lastly, we read about a future event with YHVH Tseva’ot in action in Rev 19:11-15: And I saw the heaven opened, and there was a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Trustworthy and True, and in righteousness He judges and fights. And His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns, having a Name that had been written, which no one had perceived except Himself and having been dressed in a robe dipped in blood – and His Name is called: The Word of יהוה. And the armies in the heaven, dressed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.

May we grasp the weight of HIS name and, like Joshua, be able to see with insight beyond the physical, and be in awe of YHVH Tseva’ot.