Monday, April 4, 2011

Deuteronomy 20

7 comments:

Chris said...

I understand the reasoning behind God's command to wipe out the cities and nations that were in the promised land, but my heart still is sad for the thousands of people that had to die.

It made me smile to see God commanding the protection of the fruit trees.

I am often taken aback when I read that God let everyone who was scared to fight just go home.

These commands make God seem so close, so personal and so involved in the day to day operations of the Israelites.

Anonymous said...

I had never noticed before that there was a difference in how they handled the nations of the promised land as opposed to the nations farther away.

Annette

Berry Girl said...

I love how there are provisions for men to be excused from war, and I especially love that one of those provisions is simply being afraid. I understand the reasoning - if someone is lacking courage then they may spread that to others, and if someone is distracted by other priorities or concerns, then their heart and attention will not be in the battle. But I love that it's "ok" to be afraid. They aren't punished, they're simply excused.

Unknown said...

I loved the provisions too... they seemed to say, "if your heart isn't in it.... don't go."

Shailey said...

"As you approach a town to attack it, first offer its people terms of peace.If they accept your terms of peace and open the gates to you,then all the people inside will serve you in forced labor.But if they refuse to make peace and prepare to fight,you must attack the town."v 10-12

God told the people to first offer terms of peace to the city or town they were attacking so that if the people do not want to fight they can accept the terms of peace.God thought of the other people,if they know they are going to die fighting,and they don't want to, they can accept the terms of peace, but if they don't know if they will loose the fight they can refuse the terms of peace.

Elisa said...

He will say, "Men of Israel. listen to me. Today you are going into battle against your enemies. Don't be scared. Don't be afraid. Don't panic. Don't be terrified by them. The Lord your God is going with you. He will fight for you. He will help you win the battle over your enemies." vs 3-4

You should not be afraid of your enemies if you are going to fight them. They may have greater numbers then you, but you have God on your side and God is the greatest weapon there is.

Denise said...

This was so great for me today! I have been going through some yucky stuff this week and I read, “When you go out to fight your enemies and you face horses and chariots and an army greater than your own, do not be afraid.”….”Do not be afraid as you go out to fight your enemies today! Do not lose heart or panic or tremble before them. For the Lord your God is going with you! We will fight for you against your enemies, and he will give you victory.” Thank you Lord!