February 7, 2025
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Deuteronomy and Corinthians? Here’s today’s reading:
Deuteronomy 20 (NIV)
Going to War
1 When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you. 2 When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army.……Continue Reading
Many of the instructions given to prepare for war are not what we typically think of when going to war. Scale down the army, offer peace first, and even the idea that the war starts with trusting in God. While I am sure many of our soldiers are God fearing, it does not always feel like those who lead the military do so with God’s desires setting the stage but rather greed, money, power, etc.
I do note a large distinction when God calls them to battle a people like the Canaanites. Then the instruction is full destruction. There are times when God decides a people are just too far gone and that they would be more a risk of bringing other peoples into sin then being saved. Always hard to read but must always trust that God knows best.
Incredible, and very reasonable criteria for waging war.
The details I can follow, but the key to me, is that the battle isn’t won by me. It is won by God. And, Godly battle in me -when given to the Lord to fight- results in the death of sin, even if it be a besetting sin only. Sin-less, even if it is only one sin at a time! Once that sin is dead, don’t dig it up again.
Deuteronomy 20
Deuteronomy 20
I love the repetitive reminder to Israel about how they were delivered out of Egypt and the power God displayed in doing so. He promises that same God will be with them in future battles!
Deuteronomy 20
God promises that He will fight for us. We only need to trust Him fully and walk with Him. Not that He doesn`t want us prepared for spiritual battle; for He does as He tells us all to put on the whole armour of God. Eph. 6:11-18. This means walking in the spirit with His leading; reading and studying the word of God, praying, teaching and sharing the gospel. Also having fellowship with one another. God doesn`t want us to be clueless. Most of all, God wants us to be faithful to Him. Also in the battle, He desires for us to live Godly lives in whatever we do or say. Col. 3:23 {And whatever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.} Col. 4:5,6 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how ye ought to answer every man.} This includes our work places, homes, or anywhere else we are at. Also the way that we speak to each other. Careful of our tongue and the way we use it. James 3:6a,8 {And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity,—But the tongue can no man tame; it is a unruly evil, full of deadly poison.} God desires us to have His wisdom in our every day lives. James 3:17,18 {But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.} Such good scriptures to remind ourselves of when interacting with other people whether believers or not. May the Lord bless us as we grow in Him.
Well we see how God would run His military. First it would be about Him and trusting that where He leads, He will grant victory. Second there is consolation for those in certain life situations that would free them from having to take up arms. The most curious of them is the faint hearted (who wouldn’t qualify for that?). It both speaks to the courage that the men had which caused most to stay, but also how destructive an attitude of fear is amongst people trying to have courage. Third is the grace expressed to offer places peace before attacking, honoring the humility expressed and putting in its place the pride of those who would say we won’t surrender. Fourth is the righteousness expressed in God saying you must eradicate the earth of these people who are so evil and corruptive. God knew what would happen if they were allowed to stick around…and the very thing happened. Just shows that God knows how to run a military.
Deuteronomy 20
Deuteronomy 20