Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, war is sometimes depicted as an instrument used by God to achieve His divine purposes. Throughout the Old Testament, there are instances where God commands or encourages His people to engage in warfare, often as a means of judgment against nations or to fulfill His promises to Israel.Divine Command and Judgment One of the clearest examples of war being encouraged by God is found in the conquest of Canaan. The Israelites, under the leadership of Joshua, were commanded to take possession of the land promised to them by God. In Deuteronomy 20:16-17 , 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 part of God's judgment against the Canaanite nations for their iniquities and to prevent Israel from being led astray by their practices. Protection and Deliverance War is also encouraged in the context of protecting God's people and delivering them from oppression. In the book of Judges, God raises up leaders to deliver Israel from the hands of their enemies. 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 Israel in battle against the Midianites, demonstrating His support for warfare as a means of deliverance. Fulfillment of Promises The encouragement of war is also seen in the context of fulfilling God's promises to His people. In 1 Samuel 15:2-3 , God commands Saul, "This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘I witnessed what the Amalekites did to the Israelites when they opposed them along the way as they came up from Egypt. Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them.'" This command is rooted in God's promise to bring justice against the Amalekites for their past actions against Israel. Divine Strategy and Victory In some instances, God provides specific strategies for warfare, ensuring victory for His people. In 2 Samuel 5:23-25 , when David inquires of the LORD about attacking the Philistines, God instructs him, "Do not march straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the balsam trees. As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move quickly, because this will mean the LORD has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army." This passage highlights God's active role in guiding His people to victory in battle. Conclusion Throughout the Old Testament, war is depicted as a tool used by God to accomplish His purposes, whether it be judgment, protection, deliverance, or the fulfillment of promises. These instances reflect the belief that God is sovereign over all nations and uses warfare as part of His divine plan. Nave's Topical Index Isaiah 41:11,12Behold, all they that were incensed against you shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with you shall perish. Nave's Topical Index Isaiah 51:12 Micah 7:8 1 John 4:4 Library How the War was Waged against the Ammonites and Happily Concluded. How the Amalekites and the Neighbouring Nations, Made War with the ... That when David had Conquered the Philistines who Made War against ... That it is not Lawful for the Well Affected Subjects to Concur in ... Attitude of Men of the Present Day to War. Whether it was Desirable that the Roman Empire Should be Increased ... After the War. How Jonathan was Slain by Treachery; and How Thereupon the Jews ... Israel's Hope Encouraged; The Holy War, Resources What is the just war theory? | GotQuestions.orgIs the war in Iraq a just war? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about 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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