Holy Wars
The holy wars, recorded in the Old Testament of the Bible, were generally conflicts that were initiated by God in an effort to make His glory known to the nations of the world. God used the Israelites to utterly destroy many heathen nations in a show of power and sovereignty. The Lord chose a race; a people that would be separated from the world and walk in His ways as a demonstration of His glory. God also used war as a means of punishment against Israel, and as God's chosen people continued to turn to idolatry and away from their powerful and Almighty God, the glory of battle began to fade and the terror of oppressing nations took over. Moving into the New Testament and in the time of Christ, warfare had taken it's tole. The Jews had suffered for years under the oppression of mighty powers and most families had seen more horror and loss than can be imagined. Jesus arrived with a new message; a message of peace and love and his message found longing ears that then craved the peace He promised. The peace and prosperity that the prophets once foretold of had seemed so far away, but with the Gospel of the Messiah at hand, a life without death and destruction seemed a possibility.
After the Lord destroyed the army of Egypt by drowning the soldiers of Pharaoh in the Red Sea, Moses and the children of Israel sang a song of praise to the Lord for He, the Lord, had triumphed in a glorious fashion. All the world would hear of the miraculous accounts of the release of the oppressed Israelites and all the world would now tremble as these people walked with their Mighty God. In the song of praise, Moses and Israel sang that the Lord was a man of war. "The Lord is a man of war: the Lord is his name" (Exodus 15:3). And later, after a battle with Amalek, the Lord told Moses to write down the victory for a memorial, and to continually remind Joshua that with God, the armies of Israel would prevail against the nations that stood in their way. And, this is exactly what happened as Joshua conducted holy wars throughout the promised land. "Joshua made war a long time with all those kings. There was not a city that made peace with the children of Israel, save the Hivites the inhabitants of Gibeon: all other they took in battle. For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, and that they might have no favour, but that he might destroy them, as the Lord commanded Moses" (Joshua 11:18-20).
But, the people of Israel, eventually forgot the mighty deeds of the Lord and hearts began to long for the things of the world around them. They began to worship the idols and gods of other countries and looked to the counsel of the heathen and the abominable. "Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; behold, I will bring up on this city and upon all her towns all the evil that I have pronounced against it, because they have hardened their necks, that they might not hear my words" (Jeremiah 29:15). Devastation and ruin reigned upon God's chosen people as the once mighty people of holy wars became captives of other countries. But, amidst all of the prophecies of impending war, doom, and judgement, the prophets spoke of another day when God's ultimate plan would prevail, and war would be no more. The prophets promised not only destruction, but a time of peace when the mighty and the meek would live side by side in perfect harmony. For more information on other important issues, visit our Bible resources.
When Jesus entered into the body of a human and walked on earth, the Jews were oppressed and living under a Roman government. As the Son of God, Christ certainly could have put an end to the oppressive government that reigned over the Jews. But, Christ had a different message. The Messiah's message was one of peace and humility, demonstrating God's mercy and forgiveness. Christ told the disciples to love their enemies and to turn the other cheek. The message moved from victory in holy wars to victory in weakness, again demonstrating that it is God who is the strength and the source of all power.
God has demonstrated the plan for the future of His people through the conflict of war and battle. The Lord was the Mighty Conqueror of the early Old Testament, the Righteous Judge in the years before Christ, and is now the enduring Father who demonstrates patients and grace to us today. However, the Bible tells us that the God of war will rise again, in a mighty battle of the last days against Satan's armies. As holy wars have been played out over the thousands of years of mankind, we can look back and see that God has had a message in every action in every age. As He alone defeated the enemies of Israel when they entered into the promised land, so He will defeat the forces that want to claim His territory as their own. War, though tragic, is used by God to bring about the good and perfect plan that He has for those who cry Abba Father!
After the Lord destroyed the army of Egypt by drowning the soldiers of Pharaoh in the Red Sea, Moses and the children of Israel sang a song of praise to the Lord for He, the Lord, had triumphed in a glorious fashion. All the world would hear of the miraculous accounts of the release of the oppressed Israelites and all the world would now tremble as these people walked with their Mighty God. In the song of praise, Moses and Israel sang that the Lord was a man of war. "The Lord is a man of war: the Lord is his name" (Exodus 15:3). And later, after a battle with Amalek, the Lord told Moses to write down the victory for a memorial, and to continually remind Joshua that with God, the armies of Israel would prevail against the nations that stood in their way. And, this is exactly what happened as Joshua conducted holy wars throughout the promised land. "Joshua made war a long time with all those kings. There was not a city that made peace with the children of Israel, save the Hivites the inhabitants of Gibeon: all other they took in battle. For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, and that they might have no favour, but that he might destroy them, as the Lord commanded Moses" (Joshua 11:18-20).
But, the people of Israel, eventually forgot the mighty deeds of the Lord and hearts began to long for the things of the world around them. They began to worship the idols and gods of other countries and looked to the counsel of the heathen and the abominable. "Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; behold, I will bring up on this city and upon all her towns all the evil that I have pronounced against it, because they have hardened their necks, that they might not hear my words" (Jeremiah 29:15). Devastation and ruin reigned upon God's chosen people as the once mighty people of holy wars became captives of other countries. But, amidst all of the prophecies of impending war, doom, and judgement, the prophets spoke of another day when God's ultimate plan would prevail, and war would be no more. The prophets promised not only destruction, but a time of peace when the mighty and the meek would live side by side in perfect harmony. For more information on other important issues, visit our Bible resources.
When Jesus entered into the body of a human and walked on earth, the Jews were oppressed and living under a Roman government. As the Son of God, Christ certainly could have put an end to the oppressive government that reigned over the Jews. But, Christ had a different message. The Messiah's message was one of peace and humility, demonstrating God's mercy and forgiveness. Christ told the disciples to love their enemies and to turn the other cheek. The message moved from victory in holy wars to victory in weakness, again demonstrating that it is God who is the strength and the source of all power.
God has demonstrated the plan for the future of His people through the conflict of war and battle. The Lord was the Mighty Conqueror of the early Old Testament, the Righteous Judge in the years before Christ, and is now the enduring Father who demonstrates patients and grace to us today. However, the Bible tells us that the God of war will rise again, in a mighty battle of the last days against Satan's armies. As holy wars have been played out over the thousands of years of mankind, we can look back and see that God has had a message in every action in every age. As He alone defeated the enemies of Israel when they entered into the promised land, so He will defeat the forces that want to claim His territory as their own. War, though tragic, is used by God to bring about the good and perfect plan that He has for those who cry Abba Father!
Holy Wars
![]()
Reviewed by Anonymous
on
3:21 PM
Rating:
