This topic is one that could indeed be a lightning rod. In just the little study I have done, I believe a book could be written on it from the Biblical standpoint. Thus, I will likely not settle a great deal of conflict (no pun intended) with this little treatise.
While I personally know little of violent arguments that have come out of this question, many Pastors and counselors have spent hours with young people who have wrestled with the question as they considered their own military service. Some have fled the draft, others could not function on the field, and some have just tried to hold on with fear and trembling when confronted with the reality of actually being in a battle.
One of the first places to start is to realize that there is the Christian life of the individual (and how to settle conflicts that arise between individuals), and there is also the responsibility of individuals (either alone or as some organized unit) to protect people and property. Here is a good place to remember that we live in a fallen world, where the ways of God are generally not adhered to, and that which is evil or wrong must be confronted.
In the Bible we see God dealing with this before man ever did. There was a rebellion in the ranks of God’s creation – when true freedom is given, the chance of that is always taken. In a nutshell, all those involved in the attempted overthrow of God were stripped of all heavenly privileges, citizenship, and essentially came to be what is called satan and the forces of darkness. Countless books have already been written on the details of that, the demonic realm, what they do now, their final end, etc. Indeed there is a great deal in the New Testament about it. That is not our discussion at this time. The main point I want to emphasize is that God dealt with it in no uncertain terms: He did not offer a cease fire, a state of détente, or give an invitation to talk it over – they were all thrown out.
In the Bible, it is not long after the fall of man that we see the results. At first, we see it among or between individuals – such as when Cain killed Abel. You will recall that there is a great deal in the law of Moses about how to treat your fellow man – what to do when someone stole something, accusations of lying, when someone was killed, sexual misconduct, dispute over property boundaries, just weights and balances, and the list goes on. This was essentially between people within Israel – yet someone had to be responsible for carrying out judgment, punishment, etc. When groups began to form to the place where we are now talking about nations, we are now dealing with the same thing on a much larger scale. Now we are ready to consider a nation having an army.
From a Biblical standpoint, there is no better place to start than to look at the nation of Israel. When the people of Israel were in Egypt, they had no real government of their own. They had no army either, and God did the fighting for them that eventually led them out of Egypt.
It is estimated that Israel was between 1-3 million when they came out of Egypt. It was not long that we see things being put in place so they could function as a nation – rules and regulations, where each tribe would camp, how to deal with problems, etc.
Soon we see an army under the general command of Moses and the specific command of Joshua in Exodus 17:8-16. The Bible says that Amalek came and fought with Israel. It is interesting that at this time when Israel is under the leadership of the prophet Moses (there was no “king” in Israel yet), there seems to be no hesitancy in Israel joining the fight. In Exodus 17: 14, God instructs Moses: “Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.”
In Leviticus 26:7-8 we see, “And ye shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword. And five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword.”
In Numbers chapter 1, the number mentioned specifically is in regards to those who could go to war.
In Numbers 26, we see the same type of numbering again with a total given of 601,730 given in verse 51. If you read through the book of Numbers, you will see that they were called armies, they were to go out in battle and they were ranked.
From Moses through the prophet Samuel, the nation of Israel was governed in like manner – prophets as God’s representatives. Samuel ruled over Israel particularly when they were fighting the Philistines.
During the time of Samuel, the people of Israel began to ask for a king so they could be like other nations. Samuel said it would not be good to have a king like other nations, and God warned them that it would eventually destroy them. Nevertheless, the people insisted on a king and God gave them their first king – Saul. Note: I Samuel 8:6-7: But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD.
And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.
From this point on, it appears that the king would be in charge of the army. He would be commander-in-chief. However, the king often asked the prophet and looked to God for specific instructions about when to go to war, who to fight, etc. It is also interesting in I Samuel 15 when Saul refused to kill the enemy King Agag, Samuel did it in no uncertain terms.
As mentioned earlier, a book could be written starting here on the Biblical cause for war, armies, etc. However, we also see that from the time of Saul on, the leadership in Israel was not in God’s perfect will. Even with all of the good things that God says about David and Solomon, and all the ways they were blessed; the whole system was not what God wanted and these kings would eventually lead to Israel’s downfall. Therefore, we do not see God’s perfect will in the nation of Israel from this time on in so many ways.
Likewise when we get into the New Testament, we see a lot about how to act as an individual Christian – Jesus specifically taught a great deal about this. The epistles also contain a lot on this theme and how the church should function. But also included in the New Testament are instructions regarding the “powers” and those in authority.
I particularly mention again the passage from Romans chapter 13. This scripture is particularly applicable to our study because it addresses our subject under discussion, it flows right with the principles of the Old Testament and the nation of Israel, and it agrees with the words that Peter wrote in his epistles.
If you will read Romans 13:1-7, even though it is a relatively short passage, it contains a copious amount of info and principles on this subject. Again, just a few points here:
First, it states that the principle of people being in power over others is something that is God-ordained. We know from the scripture that God would not ordain that which is bad or wrong. Therefore, the principle and design is good. All in authority should understand this before they ever serve in a public office.
Second, we should not resist that power, for in doing so, we are resisting God. I know this can be very difficult in these days and times. However, it should be our goal and desire to show both God and our government that we are trying to be obedient and flow with the program in place.
Third, these rulers are to be a terror to evil works, and those doing evil works should be afraid of these rulers. These rulers are also told to praise those who do that which is good. The Bible has much to say about people knowing the difference between good and evil. Every ruler should take heed in this regard.
Fourth, these rulers are to be ministers of God for us (God gave them for our benefit). They are ministers of God – a revenger who bears the sword for God to execute wrath on evildoers. That ought to get some people’s attention, and it would if those in authority would understand what God expects of them.
Fifth, we must not be evildoers for we know wrath may come our way and also because our conscience should tell us we are not pleasing God. Many of us can perhaps remember as a young person of times when we disobeyed our parents. Do you remember how loud and strong that conscience was on the inside that would make us feel so miserable?
Finally, we are to pay tribute for such a service. I would gladly pay for such a service if it would work like God wanted. Wouldn’t you – if you are the ones out there doing good – these ministers of God are out there to keep evil from bothering you.
All this applies to those in the military – these are the ones on the front lines against evil. I am thankful that there are some ministers preaching some of these things directly to our troops – and indeed all who have decided to serve. These men and women should know they are ministers of God with a weapon (that is a new thought to many). Therefore, they certainly should not be in any type of junk or trashy outfit – they should be first-class representatives of God in the earth. Any organization like that should literally scare the hell out of any terrorist.
Hey! – Policemen and women. You fall in the same category and do the same thing in a different aspect of society. Do you remember when policemen were those of utmost respect and integrity? Like the military, a relatively few bad incidents and people have caused a lot of problems. The police force and those guarding our country would benefit greatly from some sound Biblical teaching on these types of positions of authority.
Part II in a couple of weeks
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