The armies of Israel, as depicted in the Old Testament, were often assembled through the efforts of special messengers who played a crucial role in rallying the tribes for battle. These messengers were typically chosen for their reliability and swiftness, ensuring that the call to arms reached the farthest corners of the nation. The process of gathering the armies was not merely a logistical task but a divinely orchestrated event, often accompanied by prophetic guidance and spiritual significance.

Biblical Instances

One of the earliest examples of assembling the armies through special messengers is found in the Book of Judges. In Judges 6:34-35 , we read about Gideon: "So the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew the trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him. He sent messengers throughout Manasseh, calling them to arms, and also into Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, so that they too went up to meet them." Here, the Spirit of the LORD empowers Gideon, and the messengers serve as instruments to gather the tribes for a divinely sanctioned battle against the Midianites.

Another significant instance is found in 1 Samuel 11:7 , where Saul, the first king of Israel, uses a dramatic method to summon the tribes: "He took a pair of oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent the pieces by messengers throughout Israel, proclaiming, 'This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not follow Saul and Samuel.' Then the terror of the LORD fell upon the people, and they turned out as one man." This act not only demonstrated Saul's authority but also invoked a sense of urgency and divine fear, compelling the Israelites to unite against the Ammonite threat.

Role of the Messengers

The messengers were more than mere couriers; they were vital links in the communication chain that connected the tribes of Israel. Their role required them to be trustworthy and capable of conveying the urgency and importance of the call to arms. In times of crisis, these messengers were often seen as extensions of the leaders themselves, carrying not just messages but also the authority and intent of those who sent them.

Divine Involvement

The assembly of Israel's armies was frequently marked by divine involvement. The Spirit of the LORD often played a pivotal role, as seen in the case of Gideon. This divine influence underscored the belief that battles were not won by might alone but through the LORD's intervention and favor. The messengers, therefore, were not just summoning warriors; they were rallying God's chosen people to fulfill His purposes.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the ancient Near Eastern context, the use of messengers to gather armies was a common practice. However, in Israel, this practice was imbued with theological significance. The unity of the tribes under a common cause was seen as a reflection of their covenant relationship with God. The successful gathering of the armies often depended on the people's willingness to respond to God's call, as mediated through His chosen leaders and their messengers.

Conclusion

The role of special messengers in assembling the armies of Israel highlights the intricate relationship between divine providence and human agency. These messengers were crucial in mobilizing the nation for battle, serving as conduits of divine will and instruments of national unity. Through their efforts, the tribes of Israel were reminded of their collective identity and purpose as God's chosen people, called to act in accordance with His divine plan.Judges 6:35
And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh; who also was gathered after him: and he sent messengers to Asher, and to Zebulun, and to Naphtali; and they came up to meet them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Samuel 20:14
And he went through all the tribes of Israel to Abel, and to Bethmaachah, and all the Berites: and they were gathered together, and went also after him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Destruction of Jerusalem.
... He heard the tread of armies marshaling for war. ... during the most prosperous period
of Israel's history. ... of treasure for this purpose had been collected by King ...
/.../1 the destruction of jerusalem.htm

The Destruction of Jerusalem
... He heard the tread of armies marshaling for war. ... during the most prosperous period
of Israel's history. ... of treasure for this purpose had been collected by King ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 1 the destruction of.htm

The Hebrew Prophecies.
... was expressed that the first books collected by Nehemiah ... that is to be ruler in Israel,
whose goings ... of the great Assyrian power before whose armies she finally ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter v the hebrew prophecies.htm

Egypt
... While the Assyrian armies were employed elsewhere, Psammetikhos ... world; thousands
of books were collected in its ... bondage, thus became a second house of Israel. ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter v egypt.htm

The Reaction against Egypt
... its hackneyed phrases borrowed a special meaning from ... Mysians, Dardanians, were the
national armies of these ... quarters of the world, they collected round the ...
/.../chapter iithe reaction against egypt.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... had barricaded themselves in urgent haste, collected the few ... Their armies were modelled
on similar lines, and ... Hamath and masters of half Israel, were powerful ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1800, to the End of ...
... mayor of the city, a lawless mob collected to avenge ... own) ardently affectionate as
a mother in Israel,' few of ... the people that he "ruled in the armies of heaven ...
/.../chapter 5 from the close.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... Armies undoubtedly followed the routes already frequented by caravans and flotillas
of trading ... A great part of the Susian inscriptions have been collected by Fr ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... zedeck, King of Jerusalem, the Canaanites collected their forces in ... the many evils
they had inflicted on Israel. ... of his own contingent.* Their armies were made ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... Most of them received no special names, but many exercised wide authority, and ... bones
had been sufficiently stripped of flesh, they were collected together, and ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm

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