20 1-4 When you go to war against your enemy and see horses and chariots and soldiers far outnumbering you, do not recoil in fear of them; God, your God, who brought you up out of Egypt is with you. When the battle is about to begin, let the priest come forward and speak to the troops. He’ll say, “Attention, Israel. In a few minutes you’re going to do battle with your enemies. Don’t waver in resolve. Don’t fear. Don’t hesitate. Don’t panic. God, your God, is right there with you, fighting with you against your enemies, fighting to win.”
People have lousy memories! Those fleeing Egypt watched as God drowned one of the largest most powerful armies in the entire Middle East. But that was then and this is now, and some of those who witnessed that miracle have refused to teach their children and grandchildren of the wonders of God. So now, the Israelites are gathered on the east side of the Jordan while Moses has to remind them of those things that should be in the forefront of their minds.
It’s tempting to criticize the Israelites; yet, how many times have we been guilty of the same thing-doubting God’s infinite power, even though He has delivered us so many times? We aren’t any better than those Israelites.
5-7 Then let the officers step up and speak to the troops: “Is there a man here who has built a new house but hasn’t yet dedicated it? Let him go home right now lest he die in battle and another man dedicate it. And is there a man here who has planted a vineyard but hasn’t yet enjoyed the grapes? Let him go home right now lest he die in battle and another man enjoy the grapes. Is there a man here engaged to marry who hasn’t yet taken his wife? Let him go home right now lest he die in battle and another man take her.”
8 The officers will then continue, “And is there a man here who is wavering in resolve and afraid? Let him go home right now so that he doesn’t infect his fellows with his timidity and cowardly spirit.”
Jesus told his disciples that “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.’” (Luke 62:9) God wants to make certain that anybody serving in the army is doing so whole-heartedly, not wishing he was somewhere else. God knows that courage is catching but so are cowardice and indifference.
Personal testimony: Recently, there have been several extremely witty videos on Facebook from various sections of the “We Do Not Care” Club. Older ladies throughout the planet are proclaiming that they are fed up with meeting unreal expectations and that they are doing the best they can, just the way they are. I had watched a number of these videos when I realized that I was beginning to parrot, “I DO NOT CARE!” The problem was that there were things about which I had to care because nobody else would. As funny as the videos are and as much as they are blessing ladies throughout the world, I have had to stop watching them, lest the “I do not care” attitude affect my work and my attitude towards my patients and family.
9 When the officers have finished speaking to the troops, let them appoint commanders of the troops who shall muster them by units.
10-15 When you come up against a city to attack it, call out, “Peace?” If they answer, “Yes, peace!” and open the city to you, then everyone found there will be conscripted as forced laborers and work for you. But if they don’t settle for peace and insist on war, then go ahead and attack. God, your God, will give them to you. Kill all the men with your swords. But don’t kill the women and children and animals. Everything inside the town you can take as plunder for you to use and eat—God, your God, gives it to you. This is the way you deal with the distant towns, the towns that don’t belong to the nations at hand.
16-18 But with the towns of the people that God, your God, is giving you as an inheritance, it’s different: don’t leave anyone alive. Consign them to holy destruction: the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, obeying the command of God, your God. This is so there won’t be any of them left to teach you to practice the abominations that they engage in with their gods and you end up sinning against God, your God.
19-20 When you mount an attack on a town and the siege goes on a long time, don’t start cutting down the trees, swinging your axes against them. Those trees are your future food; don’t cut them down. Are trees soldiers who come against you with weapons? The exception can be those trees which don’t produce food; you can chop them down and use the timbers to build siege engines against the town that is resisting you until it falls.”
Notice the distinction between cities that are simply to be conquered in contrast to tribes designated for annihilation. The Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites are to be wiped out completely-don’t leave anyone alive. But when the Israelites conquer other cities, they are to spare the women and children while killing all the men. They are also allowed to take the spoils from both kinds of cities. Reading Genesis, you realize that Abraham was friends with some of the Amorite chiefs who were noble men. But God tells Abraham that his descendants will not return from Egypt “until the iniquity of the Amorites is complete.” This means that for generations, there may have been God-fearing Amorites, perhaps having been influenced by association with Abraham. Sadly, even the Amorites have become degenerate and now require complete destruction.
God cares for fruit trees! God warns His people that when they are going to mount a siege, they should spare all the fruit trees, using only those trees that do not bear fruit for their siege engines. God doesn’t want His people to get so carried away with war lust that they forget that life will continue after the battle ends.
These verses might serve as a warning to those of us who become so goal-oriented that we forge the environment in which we function. These days, solar farms have become quite popular, and I applaud the advent of solar energy. But I also agree with those who argue for placing these panels on rooftops rather than on productive farm land. America has been blessed with some of the greatest farm land in the world; yet, much of it has already been covered with cement as the suburbs have burgeoned. Why sacrifice more of this glorious land when solar panels can be placed anywhere?
Sound advice about the psychology of warriors, the need to eliminate spiritual enemies, and concern for the environment-this chapter is short but packed. And through it all, the Love of God continues to shine through. “But,” you reply, “God is ordering the destruction of some of those tribes.” True, but evidently, those tribes have become so depraved that they require destruction. We should take the destruction of those tribes as warnings for ourselves. Are we worshiping God and following Him, or pursuing our own selfish interests? Only those who confess their sins and turn to God can be spared. But confessions can be extremely simple. Remember the thief on the cross who had a simple conversation with Jesus through which he gained heaven. “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” still will gain you heaven.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, we confess that we are sinners and that nothing good lives in us. But You are merciful, and You have sent Jesus to die for our sins. We accept Jesus’ sacrifice, begging you to forgive us and help us to love and serve You forever. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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