Rules for War
Deuteronomy 20:1-10
"Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic. For the Lord... is the one who goes with you..."
(Deuteronomy 20:3-4)
The heading in my Bible for Deuteronomy 20 is "Rules for War." It brings to mind a friend, a Major in the USMC, showing me the battle strategy he followed during the Vietnam War. He said that while he lost men in battle, more would have been lost if they hadn't followed the plan set before them. Embedded within them were the rules they learned in training and later applied to combat.
Isn't that a good analogy for our spiritual battles, too? We face times of conflict and opposition. We feel outnumbered, helpless. As God reminded the Israelites of His presence, He also assures us that He is with us through all our conflicts and dangers. That's why He sent His Son right here to walk among us - to show us firsthand that "the Lord is the one who goes with us." If Jesus Himself used the Word of God to oppose Satan and his evil tactics (Matthew 4:1-11), shouldn't we consider doing the same? Apply the trustworthy Word - much more than a book of rules - to battle with the enemy. No need to be fainthearted.
INSIGHT
When you feel the lack of hope, renew yourself in God's promise of strength and presence.
READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Esther 3-4
Psalm 39
Luke 2
Deuteronomy 20:1-10
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. 3 He shall say: "Hear, Israel: Today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them. 4 For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory."
5 The officers shall say to the army: "Has anyone built a new house and not yet begun to live in it? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else may begin to live in it. 6 Has anyone planted a vineyard and not begun to enjoy it? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else enjoy it. 7 Has anyone become pledged to a woman and not married her? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else marry her." 8 Then the officers shall add, "Is anyone afraid or fainthearted? Let him go home so that his fellow soldiers will not become disheartened too." 9 When the officers have finished speaking to the army, they shall appoint commanders over it.
10 When you march up to attack a city, make its people an offer of peace.
Deuteronomy 20:1-10
"Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic. For the Lord... is the one who goes with you..."
(Deuteronomy 20:3-4)
The heading in my Bible for Deuteronomy 20 is "Rules for War." It brings to mind a friend, a Major in the USMC, showing me the battle strategy he followed during the Vietnam War. He said that while he lost men in battle, more would have been lost if they hadn't followed the plan set before them. Embedded within them were the rules they learned in training and later applied to combat.
Isn't that a good analogy for our spiritual battles, too? We face times of conflict and opposition. We feel outnumbered, helpless. As God reminded the Israelites of His presence, He also assures us that He is with us through all our conflicts and dangers. That's why He sent His Son right here to walk among us - to show us firsthand that "the Lord is the one who goes with us." If Jesus Himself used the Word of God to oppose Satan and his evil tactics (Matthew 4:1-11), shouldn't we consider doing the same? Apply the trustworthy Word - much more than a book of rules - to battle with the enemy. No need to be fainthearted.
INSIGHT
When you feel the lack of hope, renew yourself in God's promise of strength and presence.
READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Esther 3-4
Psalm 39
Luke 2
Deuteronomy 20:1-10
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. 3 He shall say: "Hear, Israel: Today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them. 4 For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory."
5 The officers shall say to the army: "Has anyone built a new house and not yet begun to live in it? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else may begin to live in it. 6 Has anyone planted a vineyard and not begun to enjoy it? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else enjoy it. 7 Has anyone become pledged to a woman and not married her? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else marry her." 8 Then the officers shall add, "Is anyone afraid or fainthearted? Let him go home so that his fellow soldiers will not become disheartened too." 9 When the officers have finished speaking to the army, they shall appoint commanders over it.
10 When you march up to attack a city, make its people an offer of peace.
No comments:
Post a Comment