Topical Bible: Armies: Numerous and Heavy Afflictions

◄ Armies: Numerous and Heavy Afflictions ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical narrative, armies often serve as instruments of divine judgment, protection, or deliverance. The presence of numerous and heavily afflicted armies is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures, illustrating both the might of human forces and the sovereignty of God over the affairs of nations.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament frequently depicts armies as tools in the hands of God to execute His will. The Israelites themselves were often called to form armies to conquer the Promised Land and defend it against surrounding nations. In Deuteronomy 20:1, the Israelites are reminded, "When you go out to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army larger than yours, do not be afraid of them, for the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you" . This passage underscores the belief that victory does not depend on the size of the army but on the presence of God.

The Assyrian and Babylonian armies are examples of foreign forces used by God to bring judgment upon Israel and Judah for their disobedience. In 2 Kings 18-19, the Assyrian army, led by Sennacherib, besieges Jerusalem, causing great fear and distress. However, God delivers Jerusalem by sending an angel to strike down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers (2 Kings 19:35), demonstrating His power to save His people despite overwhelming odds.

New Testament Insights

While the New Testament does not focus as heavily on physical armies, it does address spiritual warfare and the afflictions faced by believers. Ephesians 6:12 reminds Christians, "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 to spiritual battles, where believers are called to put on the full armor of God to withstand the enemy's attacks.

Symbolism and Prophecy

In prophetic literature, armies often symbolize the forces of evil that will be ultimately defeated by God. The Book of Revelation describes the final battle between the armies of heaven and the forces of the Antichrist. Revelation 19:19-21 depicts the beast and the kings of the earth gathering their armies to wage war against the Rider on the white horse, who is Christ. The outcome is decisive, as the beast and the false prophet are captured and thrown into the lake of fire, and their armies are slain by the sword that proceeds from the mouth of Christ .

Lessons and Themes

The biblical portrayal of armies, both numerous and afflicted, serves as a reminder of the transient nature of human power and the ultimate authority of God. Throughout Scripture, God uses armies to accomplish His purposes, whether to discipline His people, protect them, or bring about His prophetic plans. The afflictions faced by armies, whether through defeat or divine intervention, underscore the futility of relying solely on human strength and the necessity of trusting in God's sovereignty and provision.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Job 19:12
His troops come together, and raise up their way against me, and encamp round about my tabernacle.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Christian Stewardship.
... On account of heavy domestic afflictions, and the failure ... There are reasons numerous
and urgent, which I ... Navies and armies have their millions; railroads and ...
/.../dibble/thoughts on missions/chapter ii christian stewardship.htm

Homilies on S. Ignatius and S. Babylas.
... breathe again, but always, like some most heavy yoke, continually ... For as in the care
of armies, the wiser ... hands the more leading and more numerous regiments, so ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homilies on s ignatius and.htm

The New Song
... rocks shall not defeat the on-march of God's armies. ... brow is dark, and his eye is
heavy, for the ... foes, such cruel, such crafty, such mighty, such numerous foes ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/the new song.htm

The Seventh Book
... me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I ... than before in character, are more
numerous; thus, even ... where they had completely crushed our armies in battle ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the seventh book.htm

Interpretation of Prophecy.
... He writes at a time when heavy calamities are impending ... with their city and temple
by the armies of Rome ... things, taken in connection with the numerous and very ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxviii interpretation of prophecy.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... Now by waters is signified in the scriptures many things, as afflictions, worldly
people (Psalm 69:1,2), and particularly the saints (Revelation 19:6); but in ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1812 to the Death of ...
... contest of seven years' duration, suffering numerous hardships in ... of the prowess
exhibited by our armies upon the ... A heavy affliction this year came upon Bishop ...
/.../chapter 2 from the close.htm

Chaldaean Civilization
... of the Euphrates preferred thick and heavy stuffs patterned and ... heels; the women's
ornaments were more numerous than those ... like the Mazaiu of the armies of the ...
/.../chapter iiichaldaean civilization.htm

The Treatise
... and every work without distinction, however numerous and various ... he goes about it
with a heavy heart, and ... has hemmed us in with three strong, mighty armies. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/a treatise on good works/the treatise.htm

Footnotes
... Riveti Epistoli de vita, scriptis, moribus, et feliei exitu Roberti Bodn, ante
Prelectiones Bodn) though the General Assembly had passed numerous acts, and ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/footnotes.htm