Deuteronomy 20
-The laws of warfare for the children of Israel are
described in this chapter again as a preparation for possession of the land.
First of all, they were commanded to “not be afraid of them.” They would see
seemingly insurmountable situations, but they were to trust in their God for
victory after victory, which He promised them. When approaching the battle, the
priest had an integral role as he was to come near before them and speak. The
priest was to be the motivating force telling them not to be fainthearted,
afraid, panicked, or trembling before the enemy. In other words, they were to
be very strong and very courageous, “for the LORD your God is the One who goes
with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you (Deuteronomy
20:1-4, Joshua 1:3-9).”
-There were some details to take care before they went to
war. They were commanded to “dedicate” their house, use the fruit of their own
vineyard, marry their betrothed, and confirm their courage (Deuteronomy 20:5-8).
At that point when the officers have finished speaking to the people, they were
to “appoint commanders of armies at the head of the people (Deuteronomy 20:9).”
-Their approach to the city they were invading would be to
initially offer it terms of peace. If the invaded city capitulated, they would
become their forced labor force serving their new Hebrew masters. However, if
they refused peace agreements and made war, the Israelites were commanded to besiege
the city all around. When the LORD gives them the city after the besieging,
they were to strike down all the men in the city with the edge of the sword.
Only the women and children and animals in the city were to survive along with
the spoils that they could take, which were not under a ban. These instructions
were for all the cities that were very far from them and not nearby. The cities
that the LORD was initially giving them were to be completely destroyed of
anything that breathed. The Hittite, the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite,
the Hivite, and the Jebusite who lived on Mount Zion were to be utterly
disposed of. What was God’s reason for all this calamity? “So that they may not
teach you to do according to all their detestable things which they have done
for their gods, so that you would sin against the LORD your God (Deuteronomy
20:10-18).” The final couple of verses give instructions for saving food
producing trees in the areas they would conquer (Deuteronomy 20:19-20). God
knew that only He could create such sustenance; they were not tainted. And, He
wanted to make sure His people were always stocked with food. God looks out for
every detail of the operation doesn’t He?
-*Application* These commands may seem like atrocities to us
in our placid, tolerant society, but God saw the future and knew completely the
hearts of these detestable-pagan cultures as to their potential of ever
changing towards His truth. God always wants to eradicate evil, and this was
the only way that this was going to happen. Our current struggle with radical Islam
is a prime example. Capitulating and caving to the enemy out of fear does not
make them more compliant. It only raises more violence and a more dreaded
future of sectarianism and totalitarianism. Take for example what just happened
in Paris, France. It is our time to be strong and courageous without fear,
panic, trembling, or faintheartedness. Yahweh is the only Living and True God!
Sometimes He calls us to a just fight for our freedom and the gospel of Jesus
even though war is a horrible thing.
Verse to Memorize:
Deuteronomy 20:18
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