Topical Encyclopedia
Throughout the history of Israel, the practice of consulting the Lord before engaging in warfare was a significant aspect of their military strategy and spiritual obedience. This practice underscored the Israelites' dependence on divine guidance and favor, recognizing that victory was ultimately granted by God rather than by human strength or numbers.
Biblical Instances of Consultation1.
Joshua and the Conquest of Canaan: One of the earliest examples of consulting the Lord before battle is found in the book of Joshua. As Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land, he sought the Lord's guidance on numerous occasions. Before the battle of Jericho, Joshua encountered the Commander of the Lord's army, who provided divine instructions for the siege (
Joshua 5:13-15). This encounter emphasized the necessity of divine direction in military endeavors.
2.
The Judges Era: During the time of the Judges, Israel frequently sought the Lord's counsel before going to war. In
Judges 1:1, after the death of Joshua, the Israelites inquired of the Lord, "Who shall go up first for us against the Canaanites, to fight against them?" The Lord responded, indicating that Judah should lead the charge. This pattern of seeking divine guidance continued throughout the period of the Judges, as seen in the accounts of Gideon (
Judges 6:36-40) and Jephthah (
Judges 11:29-31).
3.
King David's Reign: King David is renowned for his reliance on the Lord's guidance in military matters. Before engaging the Philistines, David inquired of the Lord, asking whether he should go up against them. The Lord responded affirmatively, promising victory (
2 Samuel 5:19). David's consistent practice of seeking God's counsel is further illustrated in
1 Samuel 23:2 and
2 Samuel 5:23, where he again inquires of the Lord before battle.
4.
King Jehoshaphat's Example: In
2 Chronicles 20, King Jehoshaphat faced a formidable coalition of enemies. In response, he proclaimed a fast and sought the Lord's guidance through prayer. The Lord answered through a prophetic word, assuring Jehoshaphat of victory without the need for battle (
2 Chronicles 20:15-17). This account highlights the importance of seeking divine direction and the power of faith in God's promises.
The Role of the Priests and ProphetsThe priests and prophets played a crucial role in the process of consulting the Lord. The Urim and Thummim, sacred lots used by the high priest, were often employed to discern God's will (
Exodus 28:30;
Numbers 27:21). Prophets, such as Samuel and Nathan, also provided divine guidance to Israel's leaders. For instance, in
1 Samuel 15:1-3, the prophet Samuel conveyed God's command to King Saul regarding the Amalekites.
Spiritual SignificanceConsulting the Lord before going to war was not merely a military tactic but a profound expression of faith and obedience. It demonstrated Israel's acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and their reliance on His wisdom and power. This practice served as a reminder that the success of Israel's armies was contingent upon their covenant relationship with God and their adherence to His commands.
Lessons for TodayThe biblical accounts of Israel's consultation with the Lord before battle offer timeless lessons on the importance of seeking divine guidance in all endeavors. They remind believers of the necessity of prayer, faith, and obedience in the face of challenges, emphasizing that true victory comes from the Lord.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Judges 1:1Now 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?
Torrey's Topical TextbookJudges 20:27,28
And the children of Israel inquired of the LORD, (for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days,
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
Jehoshaphat
... Not by disciplined armies and fenced cities, but by a ... all Judah and the inhabitants
of Jerusalem fell before the Lord ... up to praise the Lord God of Israel with a ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 15 jehoshaphat.htm
Antichrist in the Psalms
... that Jehovah is still ruling amid the armies of the ... certainty of his doom, and his
degradation before those he ... being a nation; that the name of Israel may be ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/antichrist in the psalms .htm
That the Employing Of, and Associating with the Malignant Party ...
... will say there was no more men in Israel, when they had 600,000 such, and above,
before their coming ... and thought him unfit to lead their armies, till he ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section iii that the employing.htm
The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... each at the head of his own contingent.* Their armies were made up ... And he that brought
the tidings answered and said, Israel is fled before the Philistines ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm
From the Close of the General Conference of 1812 to the Death of ...
... or boasting of the prowess exhibited by our armies upon the ... seeking for the "lost
sheep of the house of Israel.". ... the task, but he was called home before he had ...
/.../chapter 2 from the close.htm
The Sixth vision "On Earth"
... Confederacy of seven heavenly dominions with their ten armies. ... and Meneptah) have
been but for Moses and Israel. ... were many kings of Egypt before Pharaoh; and ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the sixth vision on earth.htm
An Essay on the Scriptural Doctrine of Immortality.
... "The twelve tribes of Israel" is the ... the Son of man and his attendant armies, are
symbolically ... ekeruxen), is excluded by "in spirit" going before, and they ...
/.../an essay on the scriptural.htm
The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... Their armies were modelled on similar lines, and consisted ... of Hamath and masters
of half Israel, were powerful ... echo of what had happened some centuries before. ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm
Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... And though they go into captivity before their enemies, thence ... raised up by Jahveh
to oppress Israel "from the ... 765 and 755, which brought his armies right up ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm
Period iv. The Age of the Consolidation of the Church: 200 to 324 ...
... Lo, I am going forth to the leopard, and I shall ... be ambassadors to bear his deprecatory
supplication before God ... key; you see what key: "Men of Israel, let what ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iv the age of.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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