Topical Encyclopedia The concept of war receiving divine approval is a theme that appears throughout the biblical narrative, often reflecting the complex relationship between God's sovereignty, justice, and the moral order He establishes. In the Scriptures, there are instances where God explicitly commands or endorses warfare, often as a means to fulfill His divine purposes or to execute judgment.Old Testament Instances 1. Conquest of Canaan: One of the most prominent examples of divinely sanctioned war is the conquest of Canaan. God commanded the Israelites to take possession of the land He had promised to their ancestors. In Deuteronomy 20:16-18 , God instructs the Israelites, "However, in the cities of the nations the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, you must not leave alive anything that breathes. You must completely destroy them—the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—as the LORD your God has commanded you." This directive was given to prevent the Israelites from adopting the detestable practices of these nations. 2. Judges and Deliverance: Throughout the Book of Judges, God raises up leaders to deliver Israel from oppression through warfare. For instance, in Judges 6:14 , the LORD says to Gideon, "Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?" Here, God empowers Gideon to lead a divinely approved military campaign against the Midianites. 3. King David's Battles: King David's military campaigns are often depicted as being under divine guidance. In 2 Samuel 5:19 , David inquires of the LORD, "Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?" The LORD responds affirmatively, granting David victory. David's wars are frequently portrayed as part of God's plan to establish Israel as a strong and unified nation. New Testament Context While the New Testament does not focus on physical warfare in the same manner as the Old Testament, the concept of spiritual warfare is prevalent. Ephesians 6:12 states, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." This passage highlights the shift from physical battles to spiritual ones, emphasizing the ongoing conflict between good and evil. Theological Considerations The divine approval of war in the Bible is often linked to God's justice and holiness. War is sometimes depicted as a tool for executing divine judgment against nations that have reached the fullness of their iniquity. In Genesis 15:16 , God tells Abraham that his descendants will return to Canaan in the fourth generation, "for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete." This suggests that divine timing and justice are integral to understanding God's approval of warfare. Moreover, the Bible underscores the importance of seeking God's guidance and approval before engaging in warfare. The Israelites' successes and failures in battle often correlate with their obedience or disobedience to God's commands. This principle is evident in the account of Ai, where Israel initially suffers defeat due to Achan's sin (Joshua 7), but later achieves victory after addressing the sin and seeking God's direction (Joshua 8). Conclusion The biblical narrative presents a nuanced view of war, where divine approval is contingent upon God's purposes and the moral state of the nations involved. While the Old Testament contains numerous instances of God-sanctioned warfare, the New Testament shifts the focus to spiritual battles, reflecting the broader theme of God's ultimate victory over evil. Nave's Topical Index 2 Samuel 22:35He teaches my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by my arms. Nave's Topical Index Library The Desire of all Nations Knox in Scotland: Lethington: Mary of Guise: 1555-1556 The War of Truth Faith the Sole Saving Act. Bunsen's Biblical Researches. The Earlier Hebrew Histories. Of the Social Life, Which, Though Most Desirable, is Frequently ... Church Union in Scotland. Letter civ. Leo, the Bishop, to Marcian Augustus. What Children of Light Should Be Resources What does the Bible say about killing in war? Is killing in war a sin? | GotQuestions.orgDoes Bible prophecy predict that there will be a World War 3 (III, three) before the end times? | GotQuestions.org Does the Bible say anything about holy war? | GotQuestions.org War: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics War with Endurance of Hardness War with Steadfastness in the Faith War without Earthly Entanglements War: Be Clothed in White Clothing War: Be Confessed by Christ in the Presence of God the Father War: Be Pillars in the Temple of God War: Called "The Armor of God" War: Called "The Armor of Light" War: Called "The Armor of Righteousness" War: Called the Good Fight of Faith War: Eat from the Tree of Life War: Enemy Harangued by the General of the Opposing Side War: Frequently Long Continued War: Frequently Sore and Bloody War: God: Gives the Victory In War: God: Scatters Those Who Delight In War: God: Strengthens his People For War: God: Taught his People the Art of War: Have a White Stone, and in It a New Name Written War: Have Power Over the Nations War: Have the Name of God Written Upon Them by Christ War: Large Armies Frequently Engaged In War: Mere Professors do not Maintain War: Not be Hurt by the Second Death War: Not Have Their Names Blotted out of the Book of Life War: Often Arises from the Opposition of Friends or Relatives War: Often Attended by Cruelty War: Often Attended by Devastation War: Often Attended by Pestilence War: Often Sent As a Punishment for Sin War: Originates in the Lusts of Men War: Over all That Exalts Itself War: Preceded by Great Preparation War: Saints are all Engaged In War: Sit With Christ on his Throne War: Strengthened by Christ In War: Symbolized by a Red Horse War: The Breastplate of Righteousness War: The Contest Between Antichrist and the Church War: The Contest of Saints With the Enemies of Their Salvation War: The Jews: Frequently Engaged in (See Joshua Chapters 6 Through 11) War: The Malignity of the Wicked War: The Preparation of the Gospel War: Those Who Overcome In, Will Eat of the Hidden Manna War: To be on the Right Hand and Left, an Idiom Meaning: "To Attack and to Defend." War: Under Christ, As Our Captain Related Terms War-carriages (76 Occurrences) |
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