Throughout the history of Israel, the call to join the armies of the Lord was not merely a civic duty but a divine mandate. The refusal to participate in military campaigns was often met with severe consequences, as it was seen as a direct disobedience to God's commands and a lack of faith in His promises.

Biblical Instances and Context

1. Tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the Half-Tribe of Manasseh: In the book of Numbers, the tribes of Reuben and Gad, along with the half-tribe of Manasseh, requested to settle on the east side of the Jordan River, outside the Promised Land. Moses initially rebuked them, fearing their refusal to fight would discourage the other Israelites. He warned them, "If you turn away from following Him, He will again leave all this people in the wilderness, and you will be the cause of their destruction" (Numbers 32:15). They eventually agreed to assist in the conquest of Canaan, thus averting punishment.

2. The Tribe of Dan: In the Song of Deborah, the tribe of Dan is criticized for its inaction during the battle against Sisera. Judges 5:17 states, "Dan, why did he linger by the ships?" This rhetorical question highlights their failure to join the fight, suggesting a lack of commitment to the collective cause of Israel.

3. The Tribe of Ephraim: In the same song, the tribe of Ephraim is praised for their participation, contrasting with those who refrained. This implies that those who did not join were seen as neglecting their duty. The absence of certain tribes in critical battles was often viewed as a betrayal of the covenant community.

4. Gideon's Call: In Judges 7, Gideon was instructed by God to reduce his army, sending home those who were fearful. This divine directive was unique, as it was meant to demonstrate that victory was from the Lord, not by human might. However, this exception underscores the general expectation that all able men should be ready to fight unless divinely exempted.

5. Saul's Curse: In 1 Samuel 14, King Saul placed a curse on anyone who ate before evening, during a battle with the Philistines. His rash vow led to unintended consequences, but it illustrates the seriousness with which participation in battle was regarded. Even the king's son, Jonathan, was nearly put to death for unknowingly violating the curse, showing the gravity of military engagement.

6. David's Census: In 2 Samuel 24, David's decision to take a census of Israel's fighting men was met with divine displeasure, resulting in a plague. This incident highlights the belief that reliance on military numbers, rather than God's provision, was sinful. It underscores the expectation that all men were to be ready for battle, trusting in God's strength rather than their own.

Theological Implications

The refusal to join the armies of Israel was often seen as a lack of faith and a breach of communal responsibility. The collective identity of Israel as God's chosen people meant that military service was not just a national duty but a spiritual obligation. Participation in battle was an act of obedience to God, who promised to fight for Israel and deliver them from their enemies.

The consequences of refusing to join were both immediate and long-lasting, affecting not only the individual but the entire community. This principle reinforced the importance of unity and faithfulness to God's commands, as the success of Israel's endeavors was directly linked to their collective obedience and trust in the Lord.Judges 21:5,8-11
And the children of Israel said, Who is there among all the tribes of Israel that came not up with the congregation to the LORD? For they had made a great oath concerning him that came not up to the LORD to Mizpeh, saying, He shall surely be put to death.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Samuel 11:7
And he took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the coasts of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, Whoever comes not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen. And the fear of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out with one consent.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Letter cxxx. To Demetrias.
... of their backers; and when armies are drawn ... mother's and grandmother's retinue,
Demetrias, refusing sheets of ... neither is there travail in Israel." [3669] When ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxx to demetrias.htm

Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
... very rarely sends one to prison for refusing obedience to ... to their place: and the
house of Israel shall possess ... and like that that came upon the armies of the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/of antichrist and his ruin .htm

Footnotes
... on the 8th of January, 1674, upon his refusing to engage ... Some useful sermons have
been often perplexed with ... Gataker's "God's Eye on his Israel","preface, Lond ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/footnotes.htm

The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
... to recall the exiles, and, on their refusing (506),* their ... a country wasted and trampled
underfoot by two great armies. ... were also in readiness to join him as ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of 2.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... Cyaxares converted all the small feudal armies which had ... the siege of Nineveh, hastened
to join battle with ... task of rewriting the history of Israel, which, as ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... reader's recollection when he peruses Israel's Hope Encouraged ... the soul to entertain
vast armies of thoughts ... Even transportation for refusing obedience to such ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm

The Desire of the Righteous Granted;
... them unto the day of judgment to be punished (2 Peter ... In the Lord shall all the seed
of Israel be justified ... the apprehending of that makes us often forget, and ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the desire of the righteous.htm

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