In what ways does this verse reflect God's sovereignty over nations and possessions? Text of Deuteronomy 20:14 “But the women, the children, the livestock, and everything else in the city — all its spoil — you may take as plunder for yourselves. You may enjoy the spoil of your enemies that the LORD your God has given you.” Observing the Verse • Israel does not seize the plunder merely by military strength; they “enjoy the spoil…that the LORD your God has given you.” • Possessions, people, and victory are explicitly credited to God. • The verse treats God’s grant as a settled fact, highlighting His active role in distributing resources and territories. Tracing the Thread of Sovereignty • Psalm 24:1 — “The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof.” • Daniel 2:21 — “He removes kings and establishes them.” • Acts 17:26 — “He determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings.” Together with Deuteronomy 20:14, these passages form a consistent chorus: God rules the map lines, war outcomes, and wealth transfers. God’s Ownership: Possessions and Peoples • Everything seized is first the Lord’s property (Exodus 19:5; Job 41:11). • By granting Israel the right to take spoils, God demonstrates that He alone has authority to assign ownership. • Even enemy lives are subject to His verdict; Proverbs 21:1 reminds us, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD.” Implications for Israel 1. Military confidence rested on obedience, not numbers (Deuteronomy 20:1). 2. Stewardship: the plunder was a gift to manage under God’s law (Deuteronomy 14:22-29). 3. Humility: success could never be credited to national prowess (Deuteronomy 8:17-18). New Testament Echoes • Romans 13:1 — “there is no authority except from God,” resonating with God’s ancient right to allocate cities and goods. • 1 Corinthians 10:26 reaffirms Psalm 24:1, applying universal divine ownership to the church age. Personal Takeaways • God alone distributes power, lands, and resources; any success or possession we enjoy remains His gift. • National events, then and now, unfold under His hand, assuring believers of His perpetual governance. |
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