Topical Bible: The Jews: Often Distinguished in War

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Throughout biblical history, the Jewish people have been frequently distinguished in warfare, demonstrating both divine favor and military prowess. The narratives of the Old Testament, in particular, highlight numerous instances where the Israelites, under God's guidance, achieved remarkable victories against formidable foes.

Divine Mandate and Leadership

The Jews' military endeavors often began with a divine mandate. God frequently instructed the Israelites to engage in battle, promising His support and ensuring victory. A prime example is found in the conquest of Canaan, where God commanded Joshua to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. In Joshua 1:9 , God encourages Joshua, saying, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

Notable Battles and Victories

1. The Battle of Jericho: One of the most famous military victories was the fall of Jericho. The Israelites, following God's unusual strategy of marching around the city and blowing trumpets, witnessed the miraculous collapse of Jericho's walls (Joshua 6:20): "So when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, they shouted a loud war cry. And when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, they shouted a loud war cry. And the wall collapsed; the people advanced into the city, each man straight ahead, and they captured the city."

2. Gideon's Victory over the Midianites: In Judges 7, Gideon, with only 300 men, defeated the vast Midianite army. This victory was attributed to God's intervention, as He reduced Gideon's forces to ensure that the Israelites would recognize His hand in their triumph (Judges 7:2): "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.’"

3. David and Goliath: The young shepherd David's defeat of the Philistine giant Goliath is another testament to the Jews' distinction in war. David's faith in God and his skill with a sling led to a victory that inspired the Israelite army (1 Samuel 17:45-47): "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.'"

Military Organization and Strategy

The Israelites were not only reliant on divine intervention but also developed effective military strategies and organization. Under King David, the Israelite army became a formidable force, expanding the nation's territory and securing its borders. David's military campaigns are chronicled in 2 Samuel, where his leadership and strategic acumen are evident.

The Role of Faith and Obedience

The Jews' success in warfare was often linked to their faithfulness and obedience to God. When the Israelites followed God's commands, they experienced victory; when they disobeyed, they faced defeat. This principle is illustrated in the defeat at Ai, where Achan's sin led to Israel's initial failure (Joshua 7:11-12): "Israel has sinned; they have violated My covenant that I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, lied, and put them with their own possessions."

Conclusion

The biblical accounts of the Jews in warfare underscore a recurring theme: the combination of divine guidance, faith, and strategic acumen often led to their distinction in battle. These narratives serve as a testament to the belief that God was actively involved in the history and destiny of His chosen people, guiding them through both triumphs and trials.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Judges 7:19-23
So Gideon, and the hundred men that were with him, came to the outside of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch; and they had but newly set the watch: and they blew the trumpets, and broke the pitchers that were in their hands.
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1 Samuel 14:6-13
And Jonathan said to the young man that bore his armor, Come, and let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.
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1 Samuel 17:32,33
And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.
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Nehemiah 4:16-22
And it came to pass from that time forth, that the half of my servants worked in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah.
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Library

Jews and Gentiles in "The Land"
... a special interest, and which were distinguished from the ... Conquerors are not often
chary in disguising their contempt ... not to make of the Gentiles Jews, but of ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 2 jews and gentiles.htm

In Palestine - Jews and Gentiles in the Land' - their Mutual ...
... Jews were to avoid passing through a city where ... which their heart, no doubt, often
rebelled; and ... The Athidlabho, s??culum futurum,' to be distinguished from the ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vii in palestine -.htm

The Distinguished Ecclesiastics of Our Day, and which of them ...
... our own; but it was known to the Jews of old ... deacon in the church of Alexandria,
who distinguished himself by ... He is mentioned often by Clement of Alexandria, by ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xxxii the distinguished ecclesiastics of.htm

In the Creation of the World, and all Things in It, the True God ...
... by which several of them are distinguished have reference ... camp of the Israelites;
and as often as God ... ignorance could have had any countenance among the Jews. ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 14 in the creation.htm

Character and Condition of the Churches to whom the Epistle was ...
... these errors, which we will now further consider, James is distinguished in a ... in
the kingdom of God, still it was often the case among the Jews, that the ...
/.../the epistle of james practically explained/ 4 character and condition.htm

1 Timothy i. 18, 19
... For as the cloud designated the camp of the Hebrews, so the Spirit distinguished
the Church. ... "For as often," he saith ... of St. Chrys. against the Jews, 4. Ben. ...
/.../homily v 1 timothy i.htm

Alexandria and Rome - the Jewish Communities in the Capitals of ...
... as Pliny had it, [295] a race distinguished for its ... the pen of God in history has,
as so often, ratified the ... I.((Nicator), [322] had granted the Jews the right ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter v alexandria and rome.htm

Herod and Peter.
... members of the Church, who were, distinguished by their ... The Jews believed, that every
good man was attended by ... the arbiters of nations, are often mere pageants ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xiv herod and peter.htm

King Herod's Enrollment
... be much more useful, if in distinguished accurately the ... To her "all" are the Jews:
she thinks only ... be avoided, during which traveling was often difficult, and ...
/.../ramsay/was christ born in bethlehem/chapter 9 king herods enrollment.htm

Homilies of St. John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, on ...
... he went; but if he be among the distinguished and earnest ... into Jud??a, where also
he saw the Jews." eis tas ... often points out that the Ephesians 2.to Timothy is ...
/.../homilies of st john chrysostom.htm