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WAR AS GOD’S ROD OF CHASTISEMENT
MONDAY, OCTOBER 25
Deuteronomy 20

2 Samuel 12:9-10

 

“Now therefore the sword shall
never depart from thine house;

because thou hast despised me…”

 

WAR AS GOD’S ROD OF CHASTISEMENT
 
War is not pleasant as it involves the loss of many lives. In biblical times, God used war as a rod of chastisement. The history of Israel was characterised by war. They had to fight many battles in order to possess the land of Canaan. When God appointed their first king, Saul the son of Kish, the first assignment was to fight different battles. He had to save Israel from the domination of other nations. The reign of David, the second king, was also a time of many wars. In Deuteronomy 20, God gave them laws that they had to observe when they were engaged in any war. This was meant to instil discipline and to save many innocent lives. They also needed to safeguard their own welfare. God gave them direction.
 
When they were faced with aggression from their enemies, they were not to be afraid of the horses and chariots of the invading forces. This is against the rationale of anyone going to battle. It is always reasonable to be armed more than your enemy. However, this was not God’s approach.
 
God would go with them into battle. The Lord sought to demonstrate this in the capture of the first city in the land of Canaan, Jericho. He did not tell them to go with armed soldiers but rather with the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant. As instructed, they silently went round the city once a day for six days, and on the seventh day they went round it seven times and then the priests blew the trumpets and the people shouted. The walls of the city fell and they were able to capture it. On another occasion, during the time of judges, Gideon defeated the Midianites with 300 soldiers though he had initially gathered an army of 30,000. In these instances the Lord showed that His words were powerful and He was faithful to help His children.
 
Adhering to God’s directives on war would avoid crimes. Even though wars cost lives, God used wars to chastise His disobedient people.
 
THOUGHT: A Christian can only fight in a just war.

PRAYER: Father, save our land from unnecessary wars.

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