Going to Battle
Today is wedding day for my sister’s youngest of two daughters, Kirsten. The weather is cooperating in Glenwood Springs, allowing for the planned outdoor wedding. My brother and his daughter flew in from California and brought my mother with them, so she could attend the wedding. It has been good to be together as a family, even for a short time. Last night, we enjoyed a family meal at the “Italian Underground” one of our favorite, “haunts” here in Glenwood Springs.
Ā BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…Ā “When you are about to engage in battle, the priest is to come forward and address the army.Ā He is to say to them: āListen, Israel: Today you are about to engage in battle with your enemies. Do not be cowardly. Do not be afraid, alarmed, or terrified because of them.Ā For the Lord your God is the One who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.ā” Deuteronomy 20:2-4 HCSB
The Lord’s instructions for His people were comprehensive. They covered all aspect of life from sacrifices, to festivals, to dietary guidelines, personal relationships, to law, to government, to preparation for battle.
The regulations for war involved both the priests and the leader. It was not just a military expedition, but an extension of their obedience to the Lord. As the troops assembled, it was not just the military leader who spoke words to embolden and encourage the men who went into battle.
The priest was the first to speak. His words were designed to instill courage and strength and trust in the Lord as the One who would make them ultimately successful. They were not to focus on or be intimated, by the size, strength or armamentĀ of the enemy. They were to focus their attention on the Lord and His power. In the words of Paul in the New Testament, they were to focus “not on the seen, but on the unseen.” (1 Corinthians 4:18)
The military leader’s charge was to “thin the ranks.” āThe officers are to address the army, āHas any man built a new house and not dedicated it? Let him leave and return home….Has any man planted a vineyard and not begun to enjoy its fruit? Le t him leave and return home….Has any man become engaged to a woman and not married her? Let him leave and return home…āIs there any man who is afraid or cowardly? Let him leave and return home, so that his brothersā hearts wonāt melt like his own.ā (Deu. 20:5-8 HCSB)
Giving “an out” for all of these reasons, could thin the ranks significantly. However, it is easy to see that the point is to have soldiers who are bold, and focused on their mission and not discouraged by the fear or “whining” of others over what they “left behind.” As Jonathan said to his armor bearer, “…nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few.ā (1 Samuel 14:6 ESV) As we see in Gideon’s army the Lord is looking for those dedicated to Him, in whom He can be glorified.
Finally, we see as the armies approached a city, they were first to offer peace and an opportunity for surrender. It was only then that they were to engaged in the siege against the city. We can read details about how they were to treat the enemy and what was allowed as “soils of war.”
How does this related to us today? We read in the New Testament that we must be aware that we are involved in a spiritual war of conflict. “We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world.“ (Ephesians 6:6 CEV)
We are to be prepared, not paranoid. We are to be strong, not weak. We are to be courageous, and not fearful. We are to be focused and not distracted and we are to remember that it is the Lord who brings us the victory. We don’t need to “look for battles” to be fought. But we need to be on guard and ready to stand our ground with “God’s armor.”
“This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.” (Ephesians 6:13 HCSB)