The Rules of Engagement. (Deuteronomy 20:1-20)
Transcript.
The expression "rules of engagement" is a military term defining the circumstances, conditions, degree, and manner in which the use of force is permitted.
But did you know that the concept of rules of engagement is as old as Moses. Himself.
In the book of Deuteronomy, when Moses was preparing the children of Israel to cross the Jordan River and enter the Promised Land, he gave them a number of rules. Today we would call them "rules of engagement" because they pertain how to engaging in warfare when they cross over to the west side of the Jordan and conquer.
This might not sound immediately relevant to us if your not in the military and if you are not at war.
So, how do we relate to what happens in Deuteronomy 20 to everyone in everyday life?
The answer is that these are principles that apply way beyond just military warfare but into our everyday lives. And that is what we are going to look at today….
Today we turn our attention to Deuteronomy 20. But before we look at the first verse, I want to mention that, throughout the book of Deuteronomy, many have noted that Moses seems to be addressing the Ten Commandments in this series of talks he give to the people before they enter the promised land.
In this case, this passage could be said to relate to the Sixth Commandment.
In chapter 19, he talked about theft, murder and manslaughter, and now we are going to talk about war. It is in that sense, these teachings relate to the Sixth Commandment.
One other observation: the passage we're going to look at falls into two distinct parts. In the first half, Moses talks about preparing for war, and in the second half, he talks about engaging in war.
There are two "sets of rules," so to speak, for preparing for battle, followed by several rules for engaging in battle.
Let's begin with preparing for war. Verse 1 says:
When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you.
(Deuteronomy 20: 1)
The first rule in preparing for war is, very simply, not to be afraid. Even if the enemy is more numerous, do not be afraid. The reason is given:, is if the war that you are going to persecute is a just one in the eyes of God then the Lord your God is with you. Additionally, he tells them to remember that He brought you out of the land of Egypt.
Moses often refers to the deliverance from Egypt to encourage the Israelites to obey, indicating that the Lord is faithful and that he has been with you in the past and will be with you in the present.
The outcome of any battle would never be determined by mere military strength. It is based upon God's proven faithfulness.
So, the first rule in preparing for battle is to not fear, trusting that the Lord is with you, just as He has been in the past.
Although this passage is directed primarily at the nation of Israel as they prepare for military battle, it is appropriate to say that it applies to all the battles we face in life.
It clearly includes spiritual warfare, fighting against the world, the flesh, and the devil. Sometimes we fear what we face, so perhaps the first rule in any situation in life is, "Do not fear."
In times of adversity, trials, or trouble, we tend to fear, but scripture says, "Do not fear."
Someone once noted that the expression "fear not" appears in the Bible 365 times—one for each day of the year. Whether or not that count is accurate, it illustrates that we should not fear in any situation, any day of the year.
The second principle in preparing for engagement is given in verses 2-4:
When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army. He shall say: “Hear, Israel: Today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them. For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”
(Deuteronomy 20: 2-4)
At first glance, this might seem like a repetition of verse 1. While there is a lot of truth to that, there are some differences.
In verse 1, Moses says, "Do not be afraid of them." In verses 2-4, it is a priest who says, "Do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid, do not tremble, or be terrified," which is an emphatic repetition of the command to not fear.
So, there are differences.
Moses is the speaker in verse 1, whereas in verses 2-4, the priest speaks to the people.
Some have commented that this priest sounds much like what we would today call a military chaplain. Because this priest is giving a direct command from God to the nation of Israel, it struck me that a good illustration for us might be the role of a military chaplain who provides spiritual guidance in times of battle.
The principles of "do not fear" and "trust that the Lord is with you" are crucial for the Israelites as they prepare for battle. These principles also apply to us today in our personal and spiritual battles.
The Lord your God goes with you, a point that was implied in verse 1 but is explicitly stated here. Additionally, it mentions here also that the Lord will save you. Now, in the Old Testament, the word "save" often means "deliver." The context determines its meaning, and here it clearly refers to military deliverance, not spiritual salvation.
While the principle of God's presence is implied in verse 1, it is strongly emphasized in verses 2-4: the Lord will be with you.
This means you should trust Him. While you will use your military strategy and strength, you are not relying on those alone but on the sovereign God of the universe.
So, the first rule in engaging in battle is: Do not fear.
The second is: Trust the Lord.
An important thread through these verses is the reminder that the Lord has been faithful in the past and will continue to be in the present and future.
As believers today, we too can recall God's past faithfulness when we face adversity and draw strength from His promise to never leave us or forsake us.
At this point, something interesting happens in the passage. We are still talking about preparing for battle, not yet engaging in it. So verses 2-4 dealt with the approach to battle, and now, in verses 5-8, we see some suprising instructions.
Verse 5 says:
The officers shall say to the army: “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.
(Deuteronomy 20: 5)
This might seem strange at first. If you have built a house and not yet dedicated it, you are instructed to go home. Verse 6 then adds:
Has anyone planted a vineyard and not begun to enjoy it? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else enjoy it."
So, if you have planted a vineyard and haven't enjoyed its fruit, go home. Verse 7 continues:
Has anyone become pledged to a woman and not married her? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else marry her.”
(Deuteronomy 20: 8)
So if you are engaged but not yet married, you are also to go home. Finally, verse 8 states:
Then the officers shall add, “Is anyone afraid or fainthearted? Let him go home so that his fellow soldiers will not become disheartened too.”
(Deuteronomy 20: 8)
Finally even if you are afraid and fainthearted, go home. This repetition of not fearing in the context of exemptions is significant. These verses suggest that unfinished personal business or fear could be a distraction in battle, and it is better for both the individual and the rest of the army if such individuals are among them it’s better they do not fight.
There are several points to draw from this:
Distractions: Unfinished projects or personal commitments can distract from the focus needed for battle. If your mind is occupied with these worries, you are better off out of it.
Fear: Fear can be contagious. If someone is fearful, they could spread that fear to others and weaken the morale of the entire group.
Those who might dampen the spirits of the army were given exemptions for either humanitarian or reasons of morale.
Preparing for battle involves ensuring that you are not afraid, and that there is nothing to distract you from wholeheartedly engaging in battle.
Verse 9 concludes this section:
When the officers have finished speaking to the army, they shall appoint commanders over it.
(Deuteronomy 20: 9)
Once those not ready for battle were sent home, the remaining forces were to be organized.
This part of the passage reminds me of Gideon who we will meet in the book of Judges, who, after testing his men, ended up with a smaller but committed force. Moses seems to be teaching that a small, dedicated group is better than a larger, half-hearted one.
So, the first half of this passage teaches us to prepare for battle by not fearing, trusting the Lord, and ensuring there are no distractions. This principle is also vital for both physical and spiritual battles we might face today.
The second part of this passage focuses on the actual engagement in battle. Moses begins by providing a surprising directive in verse 10:
When you march up to attack a city, make its people an offer of peace.
(Deuteronomy 20: 10)
This instruction may seem odd, given other passages where God commands the total elimination of the Canaanites due to their abominations, which remember included child sacrifice. However, Moses clarifies that the initial approach to battle should be an offer of peace, indicating that unnecessary bloodshed should be avoided.
This directive underscores that Israel's wars were not based upon just aggression or personal gain but ultimately aimed at peace.
Verse 11 continues:
If they accept and open their gates, all the people in it shall be subject to forced labour and shall work for you.
(Deuteronomy 20: 11)
If the city accepts the peace offer, the inhabitants become subject to Israel and serve them, emphasizing that peace and subjugation were preferred over destruction.
Verse 12 now provides a different scenario:
If they refuse to make peace and they engage you in battle, lay siege to that city.
(Deuteronomy 20: 12)
If peace is rejected, Israel is to besiege the city and, verse 13 and 14 tells them what to do next.
"When the Lord your God delivers it into your hand, put to the sword all the men in it. As for the women, the children, the livestock and everything else in the city, you may take these as plunder for yourselves. And you may use the plunder the Lord your God gives you from your enemies.
(Deuteronomy 20: 13-14)
The spoils of war, including women and children, were to be spared, possibly allowing them to be introduced to Israel's faith. Historically, women in the ancient world often adopted their husbands' religion, which might explain this provision.
Conversely, Canaanite women, like Jezebel, could influence Israelites negatively, introducing idolatry.
Verse 15 reinforces the distinction:
This is how you are to treat all the cities that are at a distance from you and do not belong to the nations nearby.
(Deuteronomy 20: 15)
Moses emphasizes that these instructions apply to cities far from the Promised Land, not the Canaanite cities. The Canaanites, who will be listed explicitly in the next verse were to be utterly destroyed due to their abominations:
However, in the cities of the nations the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, do not leave alive anything that breathes. Completely destroy them—the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites—as the Lord your God has commanded you. Otherwise, they will teach you to follow all the detestable things they do in worshiping their gods, and you will sin against the Lord your God.
(Deuteronomy 20: 16-18)
The rationale for this total destruction is to prevent the Israelites from adopting the Canaanites' sinful practices and being led away from God. This strict approach underscores the severity of the Canaanites' sins and the need to maintain Israel's spiritual purity.
In summary, the passage delineates two distinct strategies for engaging in battle:
For cities far away: Offer peace first. If accepted, the city is subjected and serves Israel. If rejected, besiege and conquer, sparing women and children.
For Canaanite cities: Complete destruction to prevent the Israelites from being influenced by their abominable practices.
These principles highlight the importance of peace as the primary objective and the necessity of maintaining spiritual integrity in the face of corrupting influences.
From verse 16 onward, Moses clarifies that the cities within Canaan are to be utterly destroyed to prevent the Israelites from adopting the abominable practices of the Canaanites, which included idolatry and child sacrifice. These abominations had brought the judgment of God upon the Canaanites.
In verse 19 now, Moses provides a specific instruction regarding the siege of a city:
When you lay siege to a city for a long time, fighting against it to capture it, do not destroy its trees by putting an axe to them, because you can eat their fruit. Do not cut them down. Are the trees people, that you should besiege them?
(Deuteronomy 20: 19)
This directive is clear: fruit-bearing trees are to be spared during a siege. The Israelites are to preserve what is useful and not to engage in the wanton destruction of the land, a practice common among other ancient nations. This preservation is a sign of respect for God's creation and practical wisdom, considering the land of Canaan was to become Israel's possession.
Verse 20 further clarifies:
However, you may cut down trees that you know are not fruit trees and use them to build siege works until the city at war with you falls.
(Deuteronomy 20: 20)
Non-fruit-bearing trees can be used to build siege works. This distinction ensures that resources that provide sustenance are preserved, highlighting the importance of thoughtful stewardship of the creation even in times of war.
In summary, when engaging in war with cities outside Canaan, the Israelites are instructed to:
Do not fear.
Do not be distracted by unfinished business at home.
Offer peace first.
If war is necessary, aim to win decisively.
These principles emphasize the importance of courage, trust in the Lord, focus, and the preference for peace over conflict. Even when conflict is unavoidable, the approach is measured and considerate, preserving useful resources and maintaining a focus on long-term well-being of the land.
These ancient rules of engagement still have relevance for believers today, particularly in spiritual battles against the world, the flesh, and the devil. The core principles can be applied as follows:
1. Do Not Fear: Fear can paralyze and defeat us before the battle even begins. Trusting in God’s presence and promises is crucial.
2. Trust the Lord: Faith in God's sovereignty and goodness is foundational. As the writer of Hebrews reminds us, God has promised never to leave or forsake us.
3. Stay Focused: Avoid distractions that can divert our attention from the mission at hand. Just as soldiers were sent home if they were distracted by unfinished business, we should eliminate distractions that hinder our spiritual focus.
4. Seek Peace: Whenever possible, live at peace with others. As Paul writes in Romans, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."
5. Commit Fully: When conflict is unavoidable, engage fully and decisively. Half-hearted efforts lead to failure, but wholehearted commitment leads to victory.
The advice offered by the principles in Deuteronomy, remains relevant:
Whether in time or real conflict or in times of spiritual warfare, believers are called to stand firm, be courageous, and trust in the Lord, engaging in the battle with all their might and faith….