Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, war is often depicted as an instrument used by God to fulfill His divine purposes. Throughout the Old Testament, God frequently commands His people, the Israelites, to engage in warfare as a means of judgment, deliverance, and the establishment of His covenant promises.Divine Command and Judgment One of the earliest instances of God ordering war is found in the conquest of Canaan. The Israelites, under the leadership of Joshua, are commanded to take possession of the Promised Land. In Deuteronomy 7:1-2 , God instructs, "When the LORD your God brings you into the land you are entering to possess, and He drives out before you many nations... you must devote them to complete destruction." This command serves as a divine judgment against the Canaanite nations for their idolatry and wickedness, as well as a fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham. War as Deliverance God also uses war as a means of delivering His people from oppression. In the book of Judges, God raises up leaders to deliver Israel from the hands of their enemies. For example, in Judges 6:14 , the LORD says to Gideon, "Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?" Here, war is depicted as a divinely sanctioned act of liberation, with God empowering His chosen leaders to achieve victory. Establishment of the Kingdom The establishment of the Israelite monarchy under King David further illustrates God's use of war to establish His kingdom. David, a man after God's own heart, is frequently engaged in battles to secure and expand the borders of Israel. In 2 Samuel 5:19 , David inquires of the LORD, "Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?" The LORD responds affirmatively, indicating divine approval and support for the military campaign. Prophetic Warfare The prophets also speak of wars ordained by God, often as instruments of His judgment against Israel and other nations. In Isaiah 13:4-5 , the prophet declares, "Listen, a tumult on the mountains, like that of a great multitude! Listen, an uproar among the kingdoms, like nations gathered together! The LORD of Hosts is mustering an army for war." This passage highlights God's sovereignty over the nations and His ability to orchestrate events according to His divine will. Spiritual Warfare While the Old Testament frequently depicts physical warfare, the New Testament shifts the focus to spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6:12 states, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Here, the concept of war is expanded to include the spiritual battles faced by believers, emphasizing the need for divine armor and reliance on God's strength. Throughout the biblical narrative, war is portrayed as a tool used by God to accomplish His purposes, whether in judgment, deliverance, or the establishment of His kingdom. The consistent theme is God's sovereignty and His active role in the affairs of nations and individuals, guiding history according to His divine plan. Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 17:16For he said, Because the LORD has sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation. Torrey's Topical Textbook Numbers 31:1,2 Deuteronomy 7:1,2 1 Samuel 15:1-3 Library The Instrumentality of the Wicked Employed by God, While He ... His Name --The Mighty God Whether it is Lawful for Clerics and Bishops to Fight? The Knowledge of God Conspicuous in the Creation, and Continual ... Dwight -- the Sovereignty of God In the Creation of the World, and all Things in It, the True God ... City of God Book 4 Footnotes Concerning the Seditions at Jerusalem and what Terrible Miseries ... Of the Sixth Seal. Resources What is the just war theory? | GotQuestions.orgIs the war in Iraq a just war? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about war? | GotQuestions.org War: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics War with Endurance of Hardness War with Steadfastness in the Faith War without Earthly Entanglements War: Be Clothed in White Clothing War: Be Confessed by Christ in the Presence of God the Father War: Be Pillars in the Temple of God War: Called "The Armor of God" War: Called "The Armor of Light" War: Called "The Armor of Righteousness" War: Called the Good Fight of Faith War: Eat from the Tree of Life War: Enemy Harangued by the General of the Opposing Side War: Frequently Long Continued War: Frequently Sore and Bloody War: God: Gives the Victory In War: God: Scatters Those Who Delight In War: God: Strengthens his People For War: God: Taught his People the Art of War: Have a White Stone, and in It a New Name Written War: Have Power Over the Nations War: Have the Name of God Written Upon Them by Christ War: Large Armies Frequently Engaged In War: Mere Professors do not Maintain War: Not be Hurt by the Second Death War: Not Have Their Names Blotted out of the Book of Life War: Often Arises from the Opposition of Friends or Relatives War: Often Attended by Cruelty War: Often Attended by Devastation War: Often Attended by Pestilence War: Often Sent As a Punishment for Sin War: Originates in the Lusts of Men War: Over all That Exalts Itself War: Preceded by Great Preparation War: Saints are all Engaged In War: Sit With Christ on his Throne War: Strengthened by Christ In War: Symbolized by a Red Horse War: The Breastplate of Righteousness War: The Contest Between Antichrist and the Church War: The Contest of Saints With the Enemies of Their Salvation War: The Jews: Frequently Engaged in (See Joshua Chapters 6 Through 11) War: The Malignity of the Wicked War: The Preparation of the Gospel War: Those Who Overcome In, Will Eat of the Hidden Manna War: To be on the Right Hand and Left, an Idiom Meaning: "To Attack and to Defend." War: Under Christ, As Our Captain Related Terms War-carriages (76 Occurrences) |
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