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The Eighth Commandment: Statutes and Precepts (32)
Deuteronomy 20.1-9
1 “When you go out to battle against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God is with you, who brought you up from the land of Egypt. 2 So it shall be, when you are on the verge of battle, that the priest shall approach and speak to the people. 3 And he shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel: Today you are on the verge of battle with your enemies. Do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid, and do not tremble or be terrified because of them; 4 for the LORD your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’ 5 “Then the officers shall speak to the people, saying: ‘What man is there who has built a new house and has not dedicated it? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man dedicate it. 6 Also what man is there who has planted a vineyard and has not eaten of it? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man eat of it. 7 And what man is there who is betrothed to a woman and has not married her? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man marry her.’ 8 “The officers shall speak further to the people, and say, ‘What man is there who is fearful and fainthearted? Let him go and return to his house, lest the heart of his brethren faint like his heart.’ 9 And so it shall be, when the officers have finished speaking to the people, that they shall make captains of the armies to lead the people.”
Here again a situation involving war is in view, and criteria are advanced for the preservation of the people and the nation. If this was a just war, one entered into for the sake of protecting and preserving the divine economy, the people should not fear, but should trust in the Lord to give them the victory. Even military activity in ancient Israel was subject to divine scrutiny and the terms of neighbor-love outlined in the Law of God.
Conditions for exemption from military service are explained, and again we see the Law’s intent of preserving families, property, and communities. Moreover, those who were fearful should also be excused from combat, since they might cause others to stumble. Certainly a measure of shame and stigma would be attached to this, since it would be evidence of a heart that did not trust in God.
Armies are to be like tightly organized, efficient communities, with proper leaders and protocols to maintain justice and order throughout the ranks (cf. Ex. 18).
T. M. Moore
The Law of God is the soil which, fertilized by the rest of God’s Word and watered by His Spirit, brings forth the fruit of Christian life. If you’d like to understand this process better, and how to make best use of the Law in your walk with and work for the Lord, order the book, The Ground for Christian Ethics, from our online store.
Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.