We Fight Differently

Deuteronomy 20 is God's instruction to the people concerning how they were to carry out their warfare campaigns. The commentators I read point out how much different these instructions are concerning war for God's nation than typical ancient peoples. For us today, this chapter holds powerful spiritual truths.

God opens by letting Israel know they will face stronger and larger nations than themselves.
Deuteronomy 20:1 (ESV) “When you go out to war against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them, for the LORD your God is with you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.

But regardless of these facts, Israel was not to fear. The priest was to pronounce a faith-word over the people of God, reminding them that they do not fight alone, God is with them, He will strengthen their efforts against all enemies.

Deuteronomy 20:2–4 (ESV) And when you draw near to the battle, the priest shall come forward and speak to the people 3 and shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel, today you are drawing near for battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint. Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them, 4 for the LORD your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.’

Immediately after the admonitions of the priest, the members of the army were given an opportunity to opt out of the war for various reasons. The middle of the chapter includes these reasons - a new house not yet dedicated, a new vineyard not yet enjoyed, a young fiance, and finally, for any fear of war at all - they were to return home and NOT fight. 

Could you imagine how crazy this must have sounded to Israel? Surely the call to warfare trumped domestic concerns? Even in our own army, we see those who fight for our country as heroes who protect our domestic enjoyment. But what we have here is a clear indication from God that His people would be those who fought because they wanted to, not because they had to! What an interesting philosophy. 

Think about how every man who answered no to the opportunities to return home were now on that battle field because they knew everyone else on that battlefield wanted to be there. Think of the strength produced in such an army. On top of their desire to fight in the Lord's army, there was the promise of the Lord's victory. Who wouldn't want to fight in a war God promised you'd win?

And yet, Christian, this is exactly what we are called into as believers. We are in a battle every day for the souls of men and women. We are in a battle against the flesh, the world and the devil. We do not wage wars against people, but the powers, principalities and spiritual forces in heavenly places. YET we know the Lord is with us and will protect us. Our fight is not a losing proposition. God will get the victory for us!

But there's more to this chapter.

Notice there are different rules for the nations near Israel - total destruction, and those far from Israel - capture and indentured servitude. Israel was not to leave alive any nation that would be close enough to corrupt them. For us we need to remember, the issues that are near us, the temptations closes to us, these are the ones that need the most aggressive action. They will draw us away from our God before anything else.

Finally God says to Israel: spare the trees that would feed you.
Deuteronomy 20:19–20 (ESV)“When you besiege a city for a long time, making war against it in order to take it, you shall not destroy its trees by wielding an axe against them. You may eat from them, but you shall not cut them down. Are the trees in the field human, that they should be besieged by you? 20 Only the trees that you know are not trees for food you may destroy and cut down, that you may build siegeworks against the city that makes war with you, until it falls.

This is an interesting addendum to the code of ethics in war. But it's important to illustrate the time and attention to detail this would require. Israel was not to fight panicked. They were to carefully do what was necessary toward their enemies without doing what was unnecessary. I think us. We cannot and MUST not panic when it comes to our spiritual battles. The enemy does not get to decide the kind of fight this is, we do. In the peace and power of God through Christ, we fight different. 

And that's what makes all the difference.