Deuteronomy 20 Commentary
Chapter 20 reveals two aspects of the Christian battle: The spiritual warfare and the physical warfare.
Two swords are in operation: The sword of the Spirit and the human sword.
The sword of the Spirit is the word of the LORD, delivered by the priest. “The Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” Verse 4.
The physical sword is delivered by the military. It consists of the physical battle: physical weaponry. And it’s not what you think! Courage and strength and strategy. Remember God’s charge to Joshua – courage and strength.
Part of the strategy is to ensure the troops are not discouraged by weaklings and double-minded soldiers. Distance yourself from discouragement. It’s an easy pick from this chapter. You won’t fight with your weaknesses!
“Has anyone built a new house and not yet begun to live in it? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else may begin to live in it.” The message is clear. Go and fight knowing that failure is not an option – very powerful military rhetoric. How do you face your battles? Riskless and lazy, God forbid!
Israel is to exercise mercy by enslaving conquered peoples. But this token of kindness is for other peoples. The Canaanites should be destroyed completely. We know the reason.
Remember God’s law about the treatment of foreigners and slaves. The law included kindness, rest, and possible freedom. Israel’s slaves weren’t slaves at all!
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