Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical narrative, the concept of armies marching in ranks is often associated with order, discipline, and divine guidance. The Israelites, as God's chosen people, frequently sought counsel from the Lord before engaging in battle, demonstrating their reliance on divine wisdom and favor for victory.
Biblical Precedents1.
Joshua and the Battle of Jericho: One of the most notable examples of seeking divine counsel before battle is found in the account of Joshua and the Battle of Jericho. Before the Israelites could conquer the city, Joshua encountered the Commander of the Lord's army, who provided specific instructions for the battle. The Israelites were to march around the city for seven days, and on the seventh day, they were to march seven times and then shout, leading to the miraculous collapse of Jericho's walls (
Joshua 6:1-20).
2.
David's Inquiries of the Lord: King David is frequently depicted as a leader who sought God's guidance before engaging in military campaigns. In
1 Samuel 23:2, David inquired of the Lord whether he should attack the Philistines, and the Lord instructed him to proceed. Similarly, in
2 Samuel 5:19, David asked the Lord if he should go up against the Philistines, and God assured him of victory. These instances highlight David's dependence on divine direction for military success.
3.
Jehoshaphat's Prayer and Victory: King Jehoshaphat of Judah provides another example of seeking divine counsel before battle. When faced with a vast coalition of enemies, Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast and gathered the people to seek the Lord's help. In response, the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel, who assured the king of God's deliverance. The Israelites were instructed to march out, not to fight, but to witness the Lord's salvation (
2 Chronicles 20:1-30).
Theological ImplicationsThe practice of seeking God's counsel before battle underscores the belief in God's sovereignty and the importance of aligning human actions with divine will. It reflects a recognition that ultimate victory comes not from human strength or strategy but from the Lord. This reliance on God is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures, emphasizing faith, obedience, and the acknowledgment of God's authority over all earthly affairs.
Military Order and Divine StrategyThe imagery of armies marching in ranks symbolizes not only military discipline but also the orderly execution of God's plans. The Israelites' adherence to divine instructions, as seen in the Battle of Jericho, illustrates the importance of following God's strategy, even when it defies conventional military wisdom. This obedience to divine command is a testament to the faith and trust placed in God's providential care.
ConclusionThe biblical accounts of armies seeking counsel from God before battle serve as powerful reminders of the necessity of divine guidance in all endeavors. These narratives encourage believers to seek God's wisdom and direction in their own lives, trusting in His perfect plan and timing.
Nave's Topical Index
Numbers 27:21And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.
Nave's Topical IndexJudges 1:1
Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass, that the children of Israel asked the LORD, saying, Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites first, to fight against them?
Nave's Topical Index
1 Samuel 14:19,37-41
And it came to pass, while Saul talked to the priest, that the noise that was in the host of the Philistines went on and increased: and Saul said to the priest, Withdraw your hand.
Nave's Topical Index
1 Samuel 23:2-12
Therefore David inquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the LORD said to David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah.
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1 Samuel 30:8
And David inquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for you shall surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.
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2 Samuel 2:1
And it came to pass after this, that David inquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said to him, Go up. And David said, Where shall I go up? And he said, To Hebron.
Nave's Topical Index
2 Samuel 5:19,23
And David inquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? will you deliver them into my hand? And the LORD said to David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into your hand.
Nave's Topical Index
1 Kings 22:7-28
And Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might inquire of him?
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2 Kings 3:11-19
But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD, that we may inquire of the LORD by him? And one of the king of Israel's servants answered and said, Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah.
Nave's Topical Index
1 Chronicles 14:10,14
And David inquired of God, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? And will you deliver them into my hand? And the LORD said to him, Go up; for I will deliver them into your hand.
Nave's Topical Index
Jeremiah 37:7-10
Thus said the LORD, the God of Israel; Thus shall you say to the king of Judah, that sent you to me to inquire of me; Behold, Pharaoh's army, which is come forth to help you, shall return to Egypt into their own land.
Nave's Topical Index
Library
The Life of Mr. John Knox.
... is blown on both sides for assembling their armies: our master ... she caused her French
army to march towards the ... and a great multitude of people of all ranks. ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr john.htm
The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty --(Continued)
... indeed, little more than a military march through the ... had begun to break through
the ranks, when Amenemhabi ... of Abyssinia to those of Cilicia her armies held the ...
/.../chapter ithe eighteenth theban dynastycontinued.htm
The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty
... the foot-soldiers, and, breaking up their ranks, would tread ... to witness their arrival,
beheld the march past of ... a practicable road for her armies marching to ...
/.../chapter iiithe eighteenth theban dynasty.htm
Footnotes
... said Mr. Hew, be his example and counsel, had moved ... the colledge, ye principal said,
'Ye are seeking to get ... to his grandfather on the 19th of March, 1672 (Inq. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/footnotes.htm
The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... hand when the fear alone of the Assyrian armies would no ... delay: "Go, do not hesitate,
for we march with thee ... were required to fill the vacancies in the ranks. ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria 2.htm
From the Close of the General Conference of 1836 to the ...
... Luminary was issued on the fifteenth of March, 1839 ... Death had this year thinned our
ranks, by taking away some ... for the general who had led the armies of America ...
/.../chapter 14 from the close.htm
The Reaction against Egypt
... continued, in spite of them, to march southward, and ... Lycians, Mysians, Dardanians,
were the national armies of these ... first year of Seti, among the ranks of the ...
/.../chapter iithe reaction against egypt.htm
The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... Cyaxares converted all the small feudal armies which had ... which even victories made
in their ranks; enervated by the ... the Araxes and the Halys, seeking a country ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm
The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... A day's march beyond Kabr Abu-Atish brings us to El ... Their armies were modelled on
similar lines, and consisted of archers ... [Illustration: 057.jpg THE GOD HADAD]. ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm
Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... long with Jacob;* or falls upon Moses, seeking to kill ... in 765 and 755, which brought
his armies right up ... in excellent fighting order, and ready to march in any ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm
Resources
Who was Joab in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgDoes Bible prophecy predict that there will be a World War 3 (III, three) before the end times? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the Babylonian captivity/exile? | GotQuestions.orgArmies: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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