Ensign: The Laws Of War, Part 2

All ye inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, see ye, when he lifteth up an ensign on the mountains; and when he bloweth a trumpet, hear ye. Isaiah 18:3

AN ENSIGN ON THE MOUNTAINS 11 January 2013

And the officers shall speak unto the people, saying, What man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it.

I was going to start this series with this set of verses, five through nine of the twentieth chapter of Deuteronomy. Not that the priestly admonition we reviewed last isn't important (Saul learned this the hard way when HE tried to do the priest's job in 1 Samuel 13), not that the children of Israel when they went to battle and you and I as followers of Jesus the Christ as our Lord and Savior when we go to face life don't need to know that our God is with us, but that you and I when we face battle need to go in meaning what we say and saying what we mean – that is, we need to focus, people!

And what man is he that hath planted a vineyard, and hath not yet eaten of it? let him also go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man eat of it.

Wouldn't it be sad if you produced something great and awesome with the LORD's blessing and your hands just to lose it or lose directly benefiting from it because you happened to die? Of course, when we keep our perspective eternal, we take nothing with us because we came into life with nothing. (“For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” 1 Timothy 6:7) Does this make producing something with God's blessing and your hands bad? Of course not, “for it is [the LORD] that giveth thee power to get wealth:

And what man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? let him go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man take her.

that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.” The second part of Deuteronomy 8:18 is easy to forget – essentially, it says God's got a rep to keep too because He promised you (and me) that we might have life, and have it more abundantly! (Paraphrasing John 10:10 here.) Now remember the Bible was written before women took major combat roles in war, but the knowledge that you're leaving the one you love behind and haven't even spent time together as husband and wife could keep your mind not on what you're doing, fighting for hearth and home.

And the officers shall speak further unto the people, and they shall say, What man is there that is fearful and fainthearted? let him go and return unto his house, lest his brethren's heart faint as well as his heart.

And THIS is where the rubber meets the road. We see a practical application of this when Gideon in Judges 7 spoke to a 32,000 man force summoned to drive the Midianites out of Israel and allowed whoever was fearful and afraid (in that author's words) to go home. 22,000 took advantage of that offer – I'd say that is pretty telling of people in general that given the choice they'd rather flight than fight. It's important that despite our personal opinions we be willing, able, and ready to work together to achieve our common goals, whether we're at war or not. We can all use God's rules on this.

And it shall be, when the officers have made an end of speaking unto the people, that they shall make captains of the armies to lead the people.

There's a storm coming in,

David

P.S. I write this weekly devotional to keep in touch with all of you in my address book, and I hope to be an encourager to action too! If you find that I’m not or you want me to get lost, just let me know – thank you!

Thank You, Lord, that we can come to you in prayer and that You provide for all our needs, even when we don’t know what they are. We pray for the peace of Jerusalem on both sides of the fence there and around the world.

Thank You, Lord, for everyone in leadership and service, both here and abroad. Thank You for the opportunities we have and the promise of new life through You. I pray that we all seek and have a blessed week! Amen.