Archives

Deuteronomy 20:1-4

War with the existing people in the land was inevitable.  Moses was preparing them because they would come again people more numerous, with horses and chariots, giants, fortified cities, and more.  All these things would instill fear if the people weren’t prepared to face them.  Their victories would not be because of great skill or overwhelming numbers, but by the Lord.

They were commanded not to be afraid because God was going with them into battle.  God didn’t bring them from Egypt and bring them into the land to be defeated by these people.  They were to have faith.  Prior to the battle, the priest would remind them of the Lord’s presence and His intention for the people.

• Do not let your heart faint.
• Do not be afraid.
• Do not tremble or be terrified.

The priest would remind them that God was going with them.  He would fight for them to save them.

Deuteronomy 20:5-9

The officers spoke after the priests.  They asked four questions to make sure their heart was in the battle.  The first three questions were to establish deferment.  There were things in life that needed to take priority.  Others would go to war so they could experience these pleasures of life.   Once they were done, that person could then risk their life.

• If you built a house and have not dedicated it yet, go home.
  • Establish your home, family, and the way of life.
    • Joshua said, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
• If you planted a vineyard and have not eaten its fruit, go home.
  • According to Leviticus 19:23-25, the fruit could not be eaten the first four years.  The fruit of the fourth year was sacred.  The fruit of the fifth year could be eaten.
• If you were engaged but not yet married, go home.
  • Deuteronomy 24:5 grants a one-year deferment.  This was for the wife.
  • It was surely, also, for beginning a family, lest the man die and leave no heritage.

The officers spoke again, but the nature of this fourth deferment was different.

• If you were afraid and fainthearted, go home.
  • A cowardly man among the ranks would stifle the courage of the other troops.  His fear would spread like a disease.

Deuteronomy 20:10-15

War against cities that are far away (outside the Promised Land).

They were to offer peace to the city.  If the people accepted the offer of peace, they were to put them under tribute and serve Israel.  The idea of tribute was that their life and work would not be for their personal wealth but for the wealth of Israel.  They would pay money or give grain, fruit, or other products to Israel.

If they rejected peace, Israel was to besiege that town.  The Lord would deliver them into their hands.  They were to kill the males, eliminating the ability to make war or rebel.  The women, children, and everything in the city would become plunder.  This is how the army was paid.  The plunder was divided up.

Deuteronomy 20:16-18

War against cities that are nearby in the land of Canaan.

Nothing that breathed was to remain alive.  The command to “utterly destroy” was to be established as “cherem.”  This is dedicated to the Lord for destruction.  The designation of cherem was associated with idolatrous things. 

The destruction of these communities was to keep Israel from being taught their idolatrous ways.  There was to be no mercy toward their idolatry, abominations, their gods, or the sin that flowed from it.  This was purging the evil from their nation.  It was cleansing in preparation for their use.

Deuteronomy 20:19-20

When they besieged a city, they were warned not to destroy all the trees to make siegeworks.  It was a common siege tactic at the time to destroy the food and water sources at the beginning of the siege.  The goal of other nations was to destroy the city, the people, and the economy.  For Israel, any tree from which people could eat was to be preserved for food.  All the other trees could be used in the siege.

©2007, 2023 Doug Ford, Calvary Chapel Sweetwater