As the Israelites approached the Promised Land, Moses began preparing them for the inevitable battles that would be part of the great conquest.
The band of nomads would be transformed into a fighting force, capable of expelling the idolatrous squatters from the land of Hebrew destiny. Israel’s army would prove victorious, not because of greater numbers or superior weapons, but due to the approval and fellowship of their Almighty God.
“When you go out to war against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them, for the Lord your God is with you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt” (Deuteronomy 20:1). That nocturnal escape from slavery and oppression is always placed before the minds of this succeeding generation, most of whom were but children or even unborn when it occurred. On the first Passover night, God declared a difference between his Israel and the world, separating them from malefactors and whisking them past perils and obstacles that appeared to be insurmountable (see Exodus 12-14).
The pilgrims’ escape from Egyptian captivity is likewise placed before the eyes of every believer in Christ Jesus. The Holy Spirit develops a kinship between us and they who passed through the sea and “drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ” (First Corinthians 10:4). We learn that God was displeased by the faithlessness of most of them and “they were overthrown in the wilderness” (5).
In recalling the exodus and its avoidable wilderness wanderings, Paul reasons, “these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted” (6, NKJV).
It was then that God also chose to lead them away from the very activity they were now confronting. “When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near. For God said, ‘Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt’” (Exodus 13:17). Now, on the cusp of Canaan, war had become both inevitable and imminent.
“And when you draw near to the battle, the priest shall come forward and speak to the people and shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel, today you are drawing near for battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint. Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them, for the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory’” (Deuteronomy 20:2-4).
The disciples of Christ are very much pilgrims and strangers in this world, bound for a heavenly Canaan land, but sometimes distracted and dissuaded by life’s little skirmishes along the way to a grander battle of conquest, sacrifice and victory (see First Peter 2:9-12).
It is Christ the High Priest who speaks from his throne to remind every spiritual soldier that God Almighty is with him in battle. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world” (First Peter 5:6-9).
Moses offered the Hebrew men three honorable exemptions from military service. “Is there any man who has built a new house and has not dedicated it? Let him go back to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man dedicate it. And is there any man who has planted a vineyard and has not enjoyed its fruit? Let him go back to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man enjoy its fruit. And is there any man who has betrothed a wife and has not taken her? Let him go back to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man take her” (Deuteronomy 20:5-7).
Three honorable deferments for those about to enjoy the divine blessings of property, harvest or wedlock. Israel did not need every available man to win its war, but could continue to function as a normal society. Indeed, the same blessings would spread throughout (see Deuteronomy 28:1-6). Yet, a corresponding curse would follow disobedience. “You shall betroth a wife, but another man shall ravish her. You shall build a house, but you shall not dwell in it. You shall plant a vineyard, but you shall not enjoy its fruit” (30).
Israel understood these three exemptions from service and interestingly, they nearly reappear in Christ’s parable of the Great Supper. When the master was prepare to receive his guests, “they all alike began to make excuses” (Luke 14:18). One had just purchased property, another was busy in the field, and a third had just married (18-20).
While they had many excuses, they were not excused. Their host instead sent his servant into the highways and hedges to invite the lowly, who would come. The parable answered the assertion that, “Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God” (Luke 14:15)! Jesus showed that many Jews would again claim a now dishonored exemption from what appeared to be onerous duty, but which instead was a spiritual feast. The humble and lowly, even among the Gentiles would seek no deferment, but would willingly and enthusiastically enter his service (see Romans 11:11).
As Israel mustered beyond the Jordan, one other exemption was indicated: “Is there any man who is fearful and fainthearted? Let him go back to his house, lest he make the heart of his fellows melt like his own” (Deuteronomy 20:8). Today, some reject the invitation to discipleship because they fear mockery and persecution, or their own weakness, but the Great Commander offers the timid no deferment (see Matthew 10:34-39). “But as for the cowardly … their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8).
The soldiers of Christ must fight the good fight. No battle, no bread.