1“When you go out to war against your enemies. . ." Deuteronomy 20:1 ESV
Today's verse creates more questions and conundrums than gives answers or guidance. Feel free, as always, to jump in with your thoughts, suggestions, clarifications, and questions.
Moses is still speaking to the Jewish nation as they move into the lands promised to them by God the Father. The problem is that these areas are already settled by other people groups. Many different "ites" have staked claims, built cities, and established trade. Therefore, these upstarts from Egypt will not be welcomed with open arms.
Through Moses, God tells His elect, "when you go out to war", not if. They were to be the aggressors. They brought the fight to the "ites". It was not self-defense or protection. They were to actively, aggressively expand their borders by displacing nations who had a legal right to be there.
My purpose today is not to debate or defend the Old Testament violence. Different time. Different cultures. Different purposes. However, I do wonder if today's Christianity has become too walled up. Are we aggressive enough in being change agents in the workplace, in America and in the world?
At Ridgecrest we have mission trips to South America, Cuba, Ukraine, and Asia. We support the Crisis Pregnancy Center, Celebrate Recovery, and The Gathering Tree. These are all worthy ministries and will touch people for Christ; however, they are also safe ministries in the eyes of society. People expect churches to send out mission groups and help the poor. But when was the last time we, either collectively or an individuals, risked public ridicule or community ostracization for a stand on an issue? I am not talking Westboro Baptist lunacy, but perhaps a 2-column article in the News-Leader about a stand Ridgecrest takes on a community or state-wide issue.
Maybe that is not how God would have the New Testament behave. But maybe, just maybe we are using grace and mercy as an excuse to take on only societal "safe" projects. We have forgotten that Moses reminded the Israelites "when you go out to war", not "if".
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