War

Matthew 24: 6

War in the Hebrew Bible almost always refers to armed struggle between nations. In the New Testament, war refers to a spiritual or cosmic conflict against evil. War is a constant feature in the history of Israel from its beginnings up to the destruction of the second temple. Periods of peace seldom appeared or occurred, and the Bible emphasizes them. “And had rest 40 years.” (Judg. 3: 11). “The Lord has given me rest now on every side.” 1 Kings 5:45); 2Chron. 14:5), and so forth.

Israel was both a nation and a people of Yahueh, its God.: As a nation it lived among other nations and subject to the struggles-military, economic, social, political-that are common to all nations. All in all, the Israelites have marked, in the days of the second temple with long periods of continuous warfare; earlier with border disputes, later with wars of liberation with imperial control, the principal cause was religious. Struggles were to preserve a national identity based on the temple in Jerusalem and the Jewish religious laws. So, there were basically two types of wars of defense and expansion, and holy wars compulsory for the whole nation.

As a people, the Israelites were constantly being reminded that they were to put their trust in the Lord since God had chosen them to be his “treasured possession”. (Deut. 14:2) and had entered into a covenant with them (Ex. 19:5-6). He fought their battles, and drove out the enemy (Deut. 9:4-6). Yahueh is called a warrior (Ex. 15:3). “God of hosts”, was interpreted to mean he leads an army or wages war. This was the only way that Israel could be preserved, a small nation, surrounded by more powerful nations; God fighting their battles for them.

Particularly objectionable to many are the wars in which the Israelites have commanded by

Yahueh to exterminate a people, “men, women, young, and old, oxen, sheep, and donkeys (Josh. 6:21) with the sword. (Deut. 20:16-18), as a safeguard against idolatry.

War, both in Israel and the ancient Near East was, in some respects a religious act. God was to be consulted before going to war (1 Kings 22:5). War was “sanctified”. The camp was a holy place, where God Himself was present (Deut. 20:4). There was to be nothing unclean. Terms of peace were to be offered, but if rejected, then the Israelite army was to carry out the Lord’s judgment (y. 10-14).

There were laws of war in the temple period; encouragement by priests of troops assuring them of God’s support (Deut. 20:1). Other sources indicated that kings and military leaders consulted oracles, including the Holy Ark (Judg. 20:27), the Ephod, the Urim, or prophets. (1 Sam. 30:7; 14:41; 28:6). A Canaanite custom was appealing to spirits of the dead (i.e. soul) (1 Sam. 28).

The priests and the holy ark even accompanied the army on the batt1eti~ld. (1 Sam. 4:4; 30:7). Further, to gain God’s he)p, the troops would make sacrifices prior to battle. (Judg. 6:20-26; 20:26)-sometimes even human sacrifices, as in the story of Jephtha’s daughter. (Judg. 11:39) or of the son of the king of Moab. (2 Kings 3:27). further, laws of war concerned exemption from serving. Others with spoils of war, prisoners, and prohibition of cutting down fruit trees in conquered lands.

The laws of war were fixed and had much in common throughout the ancient Near East. Warriors were drawn from the peasantry, fighting in off-agricultural seasons. Wars were not usually “declared”; it was naturally assumed that the strong were free to take possession of the lives and possessions of the weak. Only by keeping a strong army could a nation prevent potential enemies at bay, and the only satisfactory alternative was to accept all his demands, without going into battle.

Israelite military inferiority forced the tribes also to deception of the enemy, finding it difficult to penetrate fortified cities by force and resorted, thusly, to other means, such as sending spies, as in the capture of Jericho (Josh. 8-12). Night or dawn attacks were also sprung, as well as other surprise attacks (Josh. 10:9) or provide a ruse (Judg. 7:16). All in ‘all, they used small maneuverable units (Gideon’s 300) (Saul-David 400-600). Israel’s bitterest rivals were the Philistines. Here was a personal duel between two warriors (David and Goliath), another form of war. Finally the Israelite tribes united into a single kingdom; political unity brought about a standing, well-trained and equipped army.

In David’s reign there was never a day of peace. Other Israel monarchies followed. Mighty armies rose and fell. The standard method of warfare for the Israelites was ambushing the enemy in narrow mountain defiles and passes, by large, well-equipped forces, taking advantage of the difficult terrain, hills, and mountains of Samaria, or Judah. Fortified cities were under siege in the Near East, sometimes for many months or years. The Jews also defended themselves in fortified cities.

Weaponry was primitive, cruel, but effective: archers, spears, slingers, flaming oil, stones, battering rams, iron swords, axes, mining beneath walls, bronze shields, helmets, javelin, catapults, (for darts and stones, siege ramps.

Alexander the Great, instrumental in the prophetic sense with the statue of Nebuchadnezzar in his dream displayed a superiority over the traditional oriental armies with his Greek formations and tactics. Chariots were not used, but cavalry were commonly employed, and even elephants after that of the Persians. The Egyptian army defended themselves by studding the battlefield with sharp nails-the first “mine field” in history.

War and the military organizations of the Jews are documented by recent findings of scrolls in caves in the Judean Desert: the Scroll of the War of the Sons of Light against the Sons of Darkness.

War and warfare in the Bible and the history of the early Israelis seems for many, far and remote, even unimportant. Yet for the children of God, and believers of the word of God in faith, we can clearly understand the continuing wickedness or man from earliest tin1es to the astounding present and its bizarre turn of events.

But, we have a message for the world andtf1e spirit for presenting it. God’s word ‘contains weapons for our warfare. However, there’s an increasing warfare being waged by forces of evil against the spread of the gospel. (Ev.489, 168). The church is engaged today in warfare that will increase with intensity. (MM 96). There is little time for peace. The time in which we live is a time of intense excitement and utmost confusion. Ambition and war absorb the minds of men; their attitudes and beliefs. The unbelieving world will have something to think about soon–strife, war, and bloodshed with famine, pestilence, raging everywhere. Other nations are engaged in this war; alliances and coalitions are quickly joining forces.

“And then men’s hearts, fail them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on earth.” (1 T 268, 6T 32). They have not made God their refuge and He will not be their consolation then, but will laugh at their calamity, and mock when their fear cometh. They have despised and trampled upon the truths of God’s word. (1 T 269).

Earthly governments maintain dominion by war. The warfare between good and evil is still fierce and cruel and beyond all imagination, much the same as with the ancients. The weaponry then, although primitive by our worldly standards today, killed without mercy, just the same. The weapons of warfare today are mightier, deadlier, and sophisticated and they kill, too without mercy.

But unless the human agent brings his will into harmony with the will of God, unless he forsakes his idols, every idol; and overcomes every wrong practice, he will not succeed in the warfare but will be finally overcome. Those who would be conquerors must engage in conflict with unseen agencies of war; inward corruption must be overcome and every thought must be brought into subjection to Christ. (CT 238).

Paul presents before us the spiritual warfare and its reward in contrast with the various Olympic games instituted among the heathen in honor of their gods for a perishable crown for the winning competitors. This is not so in the Christian warfare, where all may run this race and may be sure of victory, and immortal honor. Paul says, “so run that ye may obtain it.” He explains the conditions necessary to be successful: “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things.”

Multitudes in the world are witnessing this game of life in Christian warfare. This is not all. The monarchs of the universe and myriad of angels are spectators of this race, anxious to see who will be the overcomers and win the crown. The reward is in accordance with the persevering energy and faithful earnestness. Paul says, “I, therefore, so run, not as uncertainly.” He says further, “we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels… and men.” The world should, therefore, be no criterion (or pattern) for us. (4T 33-35).

We are living in truly perilous times. The thousands that perished Sept. 11th, in the crushing rubble; these poor souls had no choice. We still have that choice, but we need that grace that will make us valiant in fight, in warfare, turning to flight the armies of the aliens. Dear brother, dear sister, you need more faith, more boldness and decision, a choice in your labors. You need more push and less timidity… our warfare is aggressive now! Your efforts are too tame, you need more force in your labor, or you will be disappointed in its results. (Ev. 297- 8).

Let the people understand you have a message that means life, eternal life to them if they accept it; the last message of mercy to a perishing world. Talk to souls in peril. This is the spirit’s power for victory. The Christian life is a game of life, it is a life of warfare. (Ev. 297)

Contrary to a widely held view, the position of the New Testament is not total pacifism (appeasing, neutral, not warlike, mild tranquil). Jesus stated that “wars and rumors of war” are part of the present world order. (Matt. 24:6-7), and said bluntly that he had not come to “bring peace to the earth but a sword”. (Matt. 10:34). When Jesus’ disciples were about to face the hostile world, he advised them to sell their robes to buy a sword (Luke 22:35-36). Paul recognized that the governing authorities maintain order with the sword and urged his readers to be subject to such authorities. (Rom. 13:1-7).

At the same time, Jesus is not reported to have commanded His followers to use warfare as a means of conquest (contrary to the method OF the emperor Constantine). He apparently rejected the implication that He lead a messianic war (John 6:15). He rebuked the disciples who used the sword against those who had come to arrest him (Matt. 26:51-53); He pointedly told Pilate that if His kingdom “were from this world”, his soldiers would be fighting to defend Him. (John 18:36).

Jesus Christ, the Worshipper, and Master; how became a “reformer”, in John 2:15-16. The temple was turned into a market of trade, a traffic in sacrificial animals and money changing controlled by the Sanhedrin for its financial interest. Jesus, incensed at the sacrilege, went into action and with a whip drove the men and animals out of the temple area and upset, the money changers tables and with the coins. These were drastic, strenuous measures. His Father’s house had been perverted into a house of merchandise..

A deeper level or lesson than the removal of corruption may have, by the expulsion of the animals in anticipation of the day when the temple and its sacrifices would be gone and the final sacrifice of the Iamb of God be achieved (John 2:21; 1:29).

But, the incident recalled to the disciples a passage in a Messianic psalm, 69:9, “Zeal for thy house will consume me.” This zeal, which cost Him opposition at the moment, would eventually cost Him His life. (John 2:19). It was drastic action, zealousness for the truth and righteousness.

Ardent zeal is needed to stir up sluggish energies of God’s people. (MYP 25). Becoming zealous pulls souls out of the fire. (IT 152). But with a heart that is aglow with zeal. (2T 234). But, is manifested only by doing something! This zeal is not a warning, fiery, furious, false or rash zeal. (5T 305, TT 565), but holy, sanctified, untiring zeal. Now is the time, the opportunity to show zeal for God. (6T 440).

Like ancient Israel, the church is composed of the people of God and is under severe attack from enemy forces from without and within. Unlike Israel, however, the church is not today of the nations of a warring world rather it is international, composed of people from all nations. Its warfare is not against “enemies of blood and flesh” but rather against demonic forces intent on destroying God’s redemptive work. (Eph. 6: 12). The author of 1 Peter urged his readers to “abstain from the desires of the flesh that wage war against the soul; yet at the same time they were told to submit “for the Lord’s sake,” to every human institution, whether emperor or governor. (1 Peter 2:1.1-14).

According to the apocalyptic view of the book of Daniel, the kingdoms–each more terrible than the, other or preceding-according to Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, would be destroyed at the end by the second coming and action of Jesus Christ Himself (Dan. 2:44, 45). And the God of Heaven rules over all monarchs and kings of earth and nations as king Nebuchadnezzar witnessed.

The final triumph over warfare and evil will be brought about by one who is called Faithful and True, who comes with the armies of heaven to smite the nations. (Rev. 19:11-15). At last the dreams of the prophets and saints of old will come true. “They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” (Isa. 2:4; Mic. 4:3).

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away… And I, John, saw the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven… and I heard a great voice, saying, Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and he shall dwell with them, and they shall be his people… and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither pain, for the former things are passed away. . . he that overcometh shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be my son… and the leaves of the tree of life shall be for the healing of the nations. .. Behold, I come quickly and my reward is with me, to give to every man, according as his work shall be.”

“Blessed are they that wash their robes (do his commandments) that they may have right to the tree of life and may enter in through the gates into the city.” (Rev. 21,22).

“Worship God.”
AMEN.