Deuteronomy 20: Instructions for Holy War
When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the Lord thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
And it shall be, when ye are come nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people,
And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them;
For the Lord your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.
And the officers shall speak unto the people, saying, What man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it.
And what man is he that hath planted a vineyard, and hath not yet eaten of it? let him also go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man eat of it.
And what man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? let him go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man take her.
And the officers shall speak further unto the people, and they shall say, What man is there that is fearful and fainthearted? let him go and return unto his house, lest his brethren’s heart faint as well as his heart.
And it shall be, when the officers have made an end of speaking unto the people, that they shall make captains of the armies to lead the people.
When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it.
And it shall be, if it make thee answer of peace, and open unto thee, then it shall be, that all the people that is found therein shall be tributaries unto thee, and they shall serve thee.
And if it will make no peace with thee, but will make war against thee, then thou shalt besiege it:
And when the Lord thy God hath delivered it into thine hands, thou shalt smite every male thereof with the edge of the sword:
But the women, and the little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, even all the spoil thereof, shalt thou take unto thyself; and thou shalt eat the spoil of thine enemies, which the Lord thy God hath given thee.
Thus shalt thou do unto all the cities which are very far off from thee, which are not of the cities of these nations.
But of the cities of these people, which the Lord thy God doth give thee for an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth:
But thou shalt utterly destroy them; namely, the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee:
That they teach you not to do after all their abominations, which they have done unto their gods; so should ye sin against the Lord your God.
When thou shalt besiege a city a long time, in making war against it to take it, thou shalt not destroy the trees thereof by forcing an axe against them: for thou mayest eat of them, and thou shalt not cut them down (for the tree of the field is man’s life) to employ them in the siege:
Only the trees which thou knowest that they be not trees for meat, thou shalt destroy and cut them down; and thou shalt build bulwarks against the city that maketh war with thee, until it be subdued.
Deuteronomy 20 offers a comprehensive set of guidelines for the Israelites concerning warfare, particularly as they prepared to enter and conquer the Promised Land. These instructions, delivered by Moses, were intended not only for military leaders like Joshua but for the entire nation, emphasizing the importance of faith, obedience, and justice even in times of conflict. This chapter addresses both the spiritual and practical dimensions of war, highlighting God's presence and provision while also establishing ethical boundaries.
Encouragement and Exhortation Before Battle (Deuteronomy 20:1-4)
Moses begins by addressing the natural fear that arises when facing a larger enemy force. Deuteronomy 20:1-4 underscores a crucial theme: trusting in God's presence and power rather than succumbing to fear. The priest played a vital role, leading the troops and delivering a divine "pep talk." This was not merely a motivational speech; it was a reminder that the Lord their God was with them, fighting against their enemies to give them victory. This emphasis on faith was a direct response to the previous generation's failure, who perished in the wilderness because they were afraid of the Canaanites and lacked faith in God's promises (see Numbers 13:1–14:45). The current generation needed to learn from their ancestors' mistakes.
This passage has profound implications for us today. We often face daunting challenges that trigger fear and anxiety. Just as God assured the Israelites, He assures us that He is with us. We too often fail to follow the Lord and do as his Word commands because we fear the world—what they will think of us or do to us. Instead, we must trust that our King will provide the means to accomplish the kingdom agenda that he commands of us. Recognizing God's presence and relying on His strength empowers us to overcome our fears and boldly pursue His will.
Exemptions from Military Service (Deuteronomy 20:5-9)
Recognizing the human element in warfare, God, through Moses, provided exemptions from military service under specific circumstances. Deuteronomy 20:5-7 outlines three exemptions related to unfulfilled life aspirations: building a house but not yet dedicating it, planting a vineyard but not yet enjoying its fruit, or being engaged to be married. These exemptions reflect God's understanding of human desires and his desire for His people to enjoy the blessings He provides. Perhaps these exemptions were chosen to illustrate the ways in which He intended his people to enjoy the good land he was giving them.
The fourth exemption, outlined in Deuteronomy 20:8, addressed a soldier with a cowardly heart. Such a person was sent home, not simply for their own safety, but to prevent them from demoralizing their fellow soldiers. Fear is contagious, and a fearful soldier could undermine the morale of the entire army, leading to disastrous consequences. This highlights the importance of courage and faith within a community facing adversity.
Rules of Engagement: Cities Outside the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 20:10-14)
Moses outlines specific rules of engagement that reveal a nuanced approach to warfare. Deuteronomy 20:10-11 stipulates that cities outside the Promised Land were to be offered terms of peace. If they accepted, they would become forced laborers for Israel. This provision reflects a degree of mercy and a desire to avoid unnecessary bloodshed.
However, if a city refused the offer of peace, Israel was to lay siege, kill all the men, and take the women, children, and livestock as plunder (Deuteronomy 20:12-14). While this may seem harsh by modern standards, it's important to understand the context of the time and the potential threat posed by hostile nations.
Total Destruction: Cities Within the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 20:15-18)
A stark contrast is presented in Deuteronomy 20:15-18 regarding the cities within the Promised Land. No offer of peace was to be made to the Canaanites; they were to be completely destroyed. This command, often difficult to reconcile with modern sensibilities, was given because of the pervasive wickedness and idolatry of the Canaanite nations. God knew that their practices would be a constant temptation to the Israelites, leading them astray from true worship. Deuteronomy 20:18 explicitly states that the purpose of this destruction was to prevent the Canaanites from teaching the Israelites to do all the detestable acts they did for their gods, which would cause them to sin against the LORD. This matter was crucially important because Israel had already demonstrated a propensity to adopt the false religious practices of the surrounding nations (see Numbers 25:1-18).
Preservation of Resources (Deuteronomy 20:19-20)
Even in the context of holy war, God instructed the Israelites to respect the land and its resources. Deuteronomy 20:19-20 forbids the destruction of fruit trees during a siege. This was a common practice in ancient warfare, used to punish and demoralize the enemy. However, God commanded Israel to refrain from this practice, recognizing that the land was to be their possession and its resources were essential for their survival. This demonstrates a forward-thinking approach, emphasizing sustainability and responsible stewardship even in times of conflict.
When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the Lord thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
And it shall be, when ye are come nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people,
And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them;
For the Lord your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.
And the officers shall speak unto the people, saying, What man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it.
And what man is he that hath planted a vineyard, and hath not yet eaten of it? let him also go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man eat of it.
And what man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? let him go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man take her.
And the officers shall speak further unto the people, and they shall say, What man is there that is fearful and fainthearted? let him go and return unto his house, lest his brethren’s heart faint as well as his heart.
And it shall be, when the officers have made an end of speaking unto the people, that they shall make captains of the armies to lead the people.
When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it.
And it shall be, if it make thee answer of peace, and open unto thee, then it shall be, that all the people that is found therein shall be tributaries unto thee, and they shall serve thee.
And if it will make no peace with thee, but will make war against thee, then thou shalt besiege it:
And when the Lord thy God hath delivered it into thine hands, thou shalt smite every male thereof with the edge of the sword:
But the women, and the little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, even all the spoil thereof, shalt thou take unto thyself; and thou shalt eat the spoil of thine enemies, which the Lord thy God hath given thee.
Thus shalt thou do unto all the cities which are very far off from thee, which are not of the cities of these nations.
But of the cities of these people, which the Lord thy God doth give thee for an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth:
But thou shalt utterly destroy them; namely, the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee:
That they teach you not to do after all their abominations, which they have done unto their gods; so should ye sin against the Lord your God.
When thou shalt besiege a city a long time, in making war against it to take it, thou shalt not destroy the trees thereof by forcing an axe against them: for thou mayest eat of them, and thou shalt not cut them down (for the tree of the field is man’s life) to employ them in the siege:
Only the trees which thou knowest that they be not trees for meat, thou shalt destroy and cut them down; and thou shalt build bulwarks against the city that maketh war with thee, until it be subdued.
Deuteronomy 20 offers a comprehensive set of guidelines for the Israelites concerning warfare, particularly as they prepared to enter and conquer the Promised Land. These instructions, delivered by Moses, were intended not only for military leaders like Joshua but for the entire nation, emphasizing the importance of faith, obedience, and justice even in times of conflict. This chapter addresses both the spiritual and practical dimensions of war, highlighting God's presence and provision while also establishing ethical boundaries.
Encouragement and Exhortation Before Battle (Deuteronomy 20:1-4)
Moses begins by addressing the natural fear that arises when facing a larger enemy force. Deuteronomy 20:1-4 underscores a crucial theme: trusting in God's presence and power rather than succumbing to fear. The priest played a vital role, leading the troops and delivering a divine "pep talk." This was not merely a motivational speech; it was a reminder that the Lord their God was with them, fighting against their enemies to give them victory. This emphasis on faith was a direct response to the previous generation's failure, who perished in the wilderness because they were afraid of the Canaanites and lacked faith in God's promises (see Numbers 13:1–14:45). The current generation needed to learn from their ancestors' mistakes.
This passage has profound implications for us today. We often face daunting challenges that trigger fear and anxiety. Just as God assured the Israelites, He assures us that He is with us. We too often fail to follow the Lord and do as his Word commands because we fear the world—what they will think of us or do to us. Instead, we must trust that our King will provide the means to accomplish the kingdom agenda that he commands of us. Recognizing God's presence and relying on His strength empowers us to overcome our fears and boldly pursue His will.
Exemptions from Military Service (Deuteronomy 20:5-9)
Recognizing the human element in warfare, God, through Moses, provided exemptions from military service under specific circumstances. Deuteronomy 20:5-7 outlines three exemptions related to unfulfilled life aspirations: building a house but not yet dedicating it, planting a vineyard but not yet enjoying its fruit, or being engaged to be married. These exemptions reflect God's understanding of human desires and his desire for His people to enjoy the blessings He provides. Perhaps these exemptions were chosen to illustrate the ways in which He intended his people to enjoy the good land he was giving them.
The fourth exemption, outlined in Deuteronomy 20:8, addressed a soldier with a cowardly heart. Such a person was sent home, not simply for their own safety, but to prevent them from demoralizing their fellow soldiers. Fear is contagious, and a fearful soldier could undermine the morale of the entire army, leading to disastrous consequences. This highlights the importance of courage and faith within a community facing adversity.
Rules of Engagement: Cities Outside the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 20:10-14)
Moses outlines specific rules of engagement that reveal a nuanced approach to warfare. Deuteronomy 20:10-11 stipulates that cities outside the Promised Land were to be offered terms of peace. If they accepted, they would become forced laborers for Israel. This provision reflects a degree of mercy and a desire to avoid unnecessary bloodshed.
However, if a city refused the offer of peace, Israel was to lay siege, kill all the men, and take the women, children, and livestock as plunder (Deuteronomy 20:12-14). While this may seem harsh by modern standards, it's important to understand the context of the time and the potential threat posed by hostile nations.
Total Destruction: Cities Within the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 20:15-18)
A stark contrast is presented in Deuteronomy 20:15-18 regarding the cities within the Promised Land. No offer of peace was to be made to the Canaanites; they were to be completely destroyed. This command, often difficult to reconcile with modern sensibilities, was given because of the pervasive wickedness and idolatry of the Canaanite nations. God knew that their practices would be a constant temptation to the Israelites, leading them astray from true worship. Deuteronomy 20:18 explicitly states that the purpose of this destruction was to prevent the Canaanites from teaching the Israelites to do all the detestable acts they did for their gods, which would cause them to sin against the LORD. This matter was crucially important because Israel had already demonstrated a propensity to adopt the false religious practices of the surrounding nations (see Numbers 25:1-18).
Preservation of Resources (Deuteronomy 20:19-20)
Even in the context of holy war, God instructed the Israelites to respect the land and its resources. Deuteronomy 20:19-20 forbids the destruction of fruit trees during a siege. This was a common practice in ancient warfare, used to punish and demoralize the enemy. However, God commanded Israel to refrain from this practice, recognizing that the land was to be their possession and its resources were essential for their survival. This demonstrates a forward-thinking approach, emphasizing sustainability and responsible stewardship even in times of conflict.