Topical Bible: The Armies of Israel: Directed in Their Movements by God

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The concept of the armies of Israel being directed by God is a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament. This divine guidance underscores the belief that Israel's military endeavors were not merely human efforts but were orchestrated and blessed by God Himself. This entry explores key instances where God's direction is evident in the movements and victories of Israel's armies.

Divine Command and Strategy

One of the earliest examples of God directing Israel's military movements is found in the conquest of Canaan. In the Book of Joshua, God provides specific instructions for the capture of Jericho. Joshua 6:2-5 states, "Then the LORD said to Joshua, 'Behold, 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. Have seven priests carry seven rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, while the priests blow the horns. And when there is a long blast of the ram’s horn and you hear its sound, have all the people give a mighty shout. Then the wall of the city will collapse, and the people will go up, each man straight ahead.'"

This passage highlights the direct involvement of God in military strategy, where the unconventional method of marching and shouting leads to victory, demonstrating that success comes from obedience to divine instruction rather than conventional warfare tactics.

God's Presence in Battle

The presence of God with the armies of Israel is another significant aspect of His direction. In 1 Samuel 17, the account of David and Goliath illustrates that the true strength of Israel's army lies in God's presence. David declares in 1 Samuel 17:45 , "But David said to the Philistine, 'You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.'" Here, David acknowledges that the battle belongs to the Lord, and it is His power that ensures victory.

Divine Intervention and Miraculous Victories

Throughout Israel's history, there are numerous accounts of divine intervention leading to miraculous victories. In 2 Chronicles 20, King Jehoshaphat faces a vast army, and he seeks the Lord's guidance. God responds through a prophet, saying in 2 Chronicles 20:15 , "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s." The subsequent victory, achieved without Israel having to fight, emphasizes that God Himself fights for His people.

Guidance Through Prophets and Leaders

God often directed the movements of Israel's armies through prophets and appointed leaders. In Judges 7, Gideon is instructed by God to reduce his army to 300 men to defeat the Midianites, ensuring that the victory is attributed to divine intervention rather than human might. Judges 7:2 states, "The LORD said to Gideon, 'You have too many men for Me to deliver Midian into their hands. Israel might boast against Me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’"

The Role of the Ark of the Covenant

The Ark of the Covenant, representing God's presence, played a crucial role in directing Israel's military movements. In Numbers 10:35-36 , as the Ark set out, Moses would say, "Rise up, O LORD! May Your enemies be scattered, and may those who hate You flee before You." The Ark's movement signified God's leading and protection, reinforcing the belief that Israel's success in battle was contingent upon divine guidance.

Conclusion

The direction of Israel's armies by God is a testament to the belief in His sovereignty and providence over His chosen people. Through direct commands, miraculous interventions, and the presence of the Ark, God orchestrated the military endeavors of Israel, ensuring that their victories were a reflection of His power and faithfulness.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Joshua 8:1,2
And the LORD said to Joshua, Fear not, neither be you dismayed: take all the people of war with you, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land:
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Judges 1:2
And the LORD said, Judah shall go up: behold, I have delivered the land into his hand.
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2 Samuel 5:25
And David did so, as the LORD had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until you come to Gazer.
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1 Chronicles 14:16
David therefore did as God commanded him: and they smote the host of the Philistines from Gibeon even to Gazer.
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Library

Pricked in their Heart
... Every word of it was directed to the conscience and the ... his own received him not."
As a nation, Israel had rejected ... of the stars; he rules the armies of heaven ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 35 1889/pricked in their heart.htm

The Twelve Minor Prophets.
... of under the name of Jacob and Israel where, sometimes ... These attributes shall be
directed to the utter and ... of the land by the Chaldean armies, whose resistless ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxiii the twelve minor.htm

The Fourth Homily. On the Holy Theophany, or on Christ's Baptism.
... Once of old didst thou see Israel pass through thee, and thou didst ... On hearing these
words, the Baptist directed his mind to the object of the ... 567] Or, armies. ...
/.../the fourth homily on the.htm

Sennacherib (705-681 BC )
... whom ye have deeply revolted, O children of Israel."**. ... thought that the expedition
was directed against Babylon ... Their movements may at this time have been so ...
/.../chapter isennacherib 705-681 b c.htm

The Preacher as a Man of the Word.
... where are the empires whose armies were making the world ... the course of history"about
"what Israel ought to do ... On the other hand, the attention directed to the ...
/.../stalker/the preacher and his models/lecture iv the preacher as.htm

New Testament History and Prophecy.
... similar forms of expression, and are directed towards similar ... scribe and law-giver
of Israel his mouthpiece ... They started with their armies from Antioch in March ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter x new testament history.htm

The First Delegated General Conference of 1812
... We shall rejoice together to see the armies of Israel wisely conducted in all ... and
the conference concurred, "That the book agents be directed to resume the ...
/.../chapter 1 the first delegated.htm

The Birth of England's Foreign Missions
... gathered up, were intensified, and were directed with a ... which were proof against
the Roman armies, were conquered by ... and wept, as the children of Israel did at ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter ii the birth of.htm

A Clearing-Up Storm in the Realm
... He plainly indicates that this will be directed not only ... The armies that would swallow
the Jew up are ... touches history, except as history touches Israel as a ...
/.../vi a clearing-up storm in the.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... in this neighbourhood, his attention was directed to the ... Their armies were modelled
on similar lines, and consisted ... and masters of half Israel, were powerful ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm