Going to War
Mindy Simmons
One day recently as I was following my daily Bible reading plan, there was a passage in Deuteronomy that stood out to me, which I don’t remember paying much attention to before.
In Deuteronomy 20 Moses gives instruction from God to the Israelites about “Going to War.” I don’t know about you, but I know many of us feel like we’re in a battle right now! It says…
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.”
I appreciate that the preparation for war began with encouragement by their spiritual leader. That reminds me of the importance for us to gather with other believers (even if just digitally) to encourage and lift each other up.
The Israelites had NO EXCUSE to not trust in God…He had proven His faithfulness to them over and over, including their miraculous deliverance from Egypt! Yet God still takes the time here to remind them not to be afraid and remember that God is with them. (I’m relieved that I’m not the only one who needs this reminder over and over!)
Here’s the part that struck me as a little strange:
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.”
Seriously…the men in the army who had new houses or fiancé’s or vineyards were given a free pass and didn’t have to fight in the war?!? Really? And the guys who were freaked out didn’t have to fight either? That seems pretty lenient for Biblical war times! And…it doesn’t say they were judged for going home, or that they lost out on some blessing because of it. Why?
Well, I think this was true for a few reasons:
This is a powerful testimony that Israel trusted in God for victory, not in their own ability to raise a large, mighty army. To God, the size of the army wasn’t important, but the heart of the army was very important. (Reminds me also of the story of Gideon in Judges 7.) We too can completely trust that God has already won the war by sending Jesus, and our participation in the fight is part of our own journey of discipleship and growth. The more we engage in battles while trusting God with our whole heart, the more our stories can point others to Jesus!
This was an effective way to shrink the army and make it more powerful. It removed the folks that would be distracted, whose focus and attention would be at home instead of present on the battlefield, and could therefore put other soldiers at risk. When God’s people pause for necessary self-care (rest, counseling, wound healing, training, serving their families’ needs, etc.), not only does it help that individual, but it also makes the rest of the army stronger (especially when that healed soldier is able to rejoin them in the next battle!).
Sometimes God’s people are dealing with a lot already, and aren’t ready to face the enemy on the battlefield. And that’s normal….and even okay. Everyone is fighting a battle, and maybe more than one battle at a time! We are all called to follow Jesus and put Him first without any excuses. But, when it comes to fighting in a war, there’s mercy for those who aren’t physically or mentally able to fight at a given time. There’s help available for them through Christ and His Church, so that next time an enemy is marching toward them on the battlefield, they can be ready to fight…and to win.
Deuteronomy 20 continues:
9 When the officers have finished speaking to the army, they shall appoint commanders over it.
No matter how good the soldiers were who remained, they still needed to have good leadership. Thank God for spiritual leaders, mentors, pastors, and others who help guide us during the war! Don’t try to do this alone!
Then it goes on to say…
10 When you march up to attack a city, make its people an offer of peace. 11 If they accept and open their gates, all the people in it shall be subject to forced labor and shall work for you. 12 If they refuse to make peace and they engage you in battle, lay siege to that city. 13 When the Lord your God delivers it into your hand, put to the sword all the men in it.
We should lead with peace when facing our earthly enemies. We can have confidence in our God and be ambassadors of peace while following His mission here in our community.
For the Israelites, if offering peace didn’t work, God then told them to lay siege, and WHEN (not IF) God delivered the city to them, to take the enemy captive. (Obviously we know that killing people and taking people captive should be understood within the context of the time they were living in before Jesus came…don’t actually go attack your earthly enemies with swords! Haha.) The victory is the Lord’s!
This passage encouraged me in several ways, and I hope it encourages you too! Remember, when we face enemies and challenges, we have no reason to be afraid, and we should not fear! But…when we are afraid anyway, there’s mercy for us, and we shouldn’t be satisfied staying in that place of worry and doubt. If you need help, reach out. If you are ready to fight and can help encourage and lead others, don’t hesitate!
God is with us!