Topical Bible: Armies: Often Went on Foreign Service

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical narrative, the concept of armies engaging in foreign service is a recurring theme, reflecting the historical and theological context of ancient Israel and its neighboring nations. The deployment of armies beyond their borders was often driven by divine mandate, political alliances, territorial expansion, or defensive strategies.

Divine Mandate and Conquest

One of the most prominent examples of an army on foreign service is the Israelite conquest of Canaan under Joshua's leadership. This military campaign was not merely a territorial expansion but a fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham regarding the land (Genesis 15:18-21). The Israelites, under divine instruction, crossed the Jordan River to engage in battles against the Canaanite nations. Joshua 6:2-5 records God's command to Joshua concerning the battle of Jericho, illustrating the divine orchestration of military endeavors: "Then the LORD said to Joshua, 'See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its mighty men of valor. March around the city with all the men of war, circling the city one time. Do this for six days.'"

Political Alliances and Military Campaigns

The formation of political alliances often necessitated military support, leading armies to engage in foreign service. King David's reign provides several instances of such alliances. In 2 Samuel 10, David sent Joab and the entire army of mighty men to assist Hanun, the king of the Ammonites, against the Arameans. This military action was a response to a diplomatic insult and a demonstration of loyalty to an ally. The narrative highlights the strategic and political dimensions of military engagements beyond Israel's borders.

Defensive Strategies and Preemptive Strikes

Armies also went on foreign service as a defensive strategy or to preempt potential threats. King Asa of Judah exemplified this approach when he sought an alliance with Ben-Hadad, king of Aram, to counter the threat from Baasha, king of Israel. In 1 Kings 15:18-20 , Asa's actions are described: "Then Asa took all the silver and gold that was left in the treasuries of the house of the LORD and the royal palace, and he entrusted it to his servants. Then King Asa sent them to Ben-Hadad son of Tabrimmon, the son of Hezion, the king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus, saying, 'Let there be a treaty between me and you, as there was between my father and your father. See, I have sent you a gift of silver and gold. Now go and break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel, so that he will withdraw from me.'"

Prophetic and Eschatological Dimensions

The prophetic literature of the Old Testament often envisions armies on foreign service as instruments of divine judgment or as part of eschatological events. The book of Isaiah, for instance, speaks of God summoning foreign nations to execute His judgment on Israel and other nations. Isaiah 13:4-5 declares, "Listen, a tumult on the mountains, like that of a great multitude! Listen, an uproar among the kingdoms, like nations gathered together! The LORD of Hosts is mustering an army for war. They are coming from faraway lands, from the ends of the heavens—the LORD and the weapons of His wrath—to destroy the whole country."

Conclusion

The deployment of armies on foreign service in the biblical context serves multiple purposes, from fulfilling divine promises and forming political alliances to executing defensive strategies and participating in prophetic events. These narratives underscore the complex interplay between divine sovereignty and human agency in the unfolding of biblical history.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 5:15
See, I will bring a nation on you from far, O house of Israel, said the LORD: it is a mighty nation, it is an ancient nation, a nation whose language you know not, neither understand what they say.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 50:3
For out of the north there comes up a nation against her, which shall make her land desolate, and none shall dwell therein: they shall remove, they shall depart, both man and beast.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Birth of England's Foreign Missions
... Since that day he had often visited Moulton, and ... which were proof against the Roman
armies, were conquered ... They went forth, and encountered every difficulty of ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter ii the birth of.htm

After the War.
... Often the apprentices were received into the house of the ... bodily and spiritual comfort
of the armies in the ... bands of singing and praying women went in person ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter xx after the war.htm

The Mutiny of 1857-58.
... force has always been the backbone of our armies; but in ... by high-minded and able
rulers; but often, with the ... In some of the villages to which I went to preach ...
/.../life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter xvi the mutiny of.htm

Repentance and victory
... Probably the armies met on some piece of level ground ... accomplished before 'the men
of Israel went out of ... and overcome temptations which have often conquered us ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/repentance and victory.htm

The Christian Conception of Life Has Already Arisen in Our Society ...
... Governors, police officials, tax collectors often have compassion on ... good to us are
these armies with their ... The policeman turned his horse and went off without ...
/.../the kingdom of god is within you/chapter xi the christian conception.htm

Herodotus and Xenophon.
... distinguished himself in the command of armies, and in ... this pleasure, and who see
that often, in the ... of his history were completed, Herodotus went with the ...
/.../abbott/cyrus the great/chapter i herodotus and xenophon.htm

The Thirty Years' War. AD 1618-1650.
... rule, the soldiers plundered wherever they went, not only taking what they wanted,
but often wantonly destroying ... only once or twice visited by the armies. ...
/.../winkworth/christian singers of germany/chapter viii the thirty years.htm

The Training of a Statesman.
... storing of supplies to be used by the armies of Ramses ... the capture of Jericho certain
of them went up with ... and the shaping of that will is often a statesman's ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study viii the training of.htm

The Waldenses.
... was established at Iona, from which missionaries went out, not ... Often when pursued
by their enemies, the strength of ... the praise of God, and the armies of Rome ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /4 the waldenses.htm

The Waldenses
... was established at Iona, from which missionaries went out, not ... Often when pursued
by their enemies, the strength of ... the praise of God, and the armies of Rome ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 4 the waldenses.htm