1 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.
2 And it shall be, when ye are come nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people,
3 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;
4 For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.
5 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.
6 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.
7 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.
8 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.
9 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.
10 When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it.
11 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.
12 And if it will make no peace with thee, but will make war against thee, then thou shalt besiege it:
13 And when the LORD thy God hath delivered it into thine hands, thou shalt smite every male thereof with the edge of the sword:
14 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.
15 Thus shalt thou do unto all the cities which are very far off from thee, which are not of the cities of these nations.
16 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:
17 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:
18 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.
19 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:
20 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.
The book of Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Old Testament in the KJV Holy Bible. It is a record of the speeches given by Moses to the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land. The book is divided into 34 chapters, each with its own unique message and teachings. Chapter 20 of Deuteronomy is a continuation of Moses' instructions to the Israelites before they go to battle against their enemies. In this chapter, Moses outlines the laws and guidelines for going to war, including who can go to battle, how to conduct oneself during war, and what actions to take after a victory. The main themes of this chapter include faith, obedience, and the importance of following God's laws. Through this chapter, Moses reminds the Israelites of the covenant they made with God and the consequences of disobedience. This essay will summarize the key points of chapter 20 of Deuteronomy and explore the deeper meaning and significance of the chapter.
Before delving into the specifics of chapter 20, it is important to understand the context in which it was written. The Israelites had been wandering in the wilderness for 40 years, and they were finally approaching the Promised Land. However, before they could enter and take possession of the land, they had to conquer the nations living there. This task was daunting, and the Israelites were understandably afraid. In the previous chapters of Deuteronomy, Moses had reminded them of God's faithfulness and the importance of keeping His commandments. Chapter 20 continues this theme by addressing the issue of going to war and the proper conduct during war.
The first section of chapter 20 outlines the laws of warfare for the Israelites. Moses begins by addressing the fear that the Israelites may feel when going into battle. He tells them not to be afraid or discouraged, for God is with them and will fight for them. This is a reminder of the promise God made to the Israelites in Deuteronomy 1:30, "The Lord your God who goes before you will himself fight for you, just as he did for you in Egypt before your eyes." This reassurance is meant to strengthen the faith of the Israelites and remind them that victory is not dependent on their strength or ability, but on God's presence and power.
Moses then goes on to list three categories of people who are exempt from going to war: those who have just built a house, planted a vineyard, or are newly married. These exemptions were meant to show compassion and mercy towards these individuals and allow them to focus on their new responsibilities. This also served as a reminder that there are more important things in life than going to war and acquiring land. It was a way to prioritize the well-being of individuals and their families over conquest and material possessions.
For those who were eligible to go to war, Moses lays out specific guidelines for how to conduct themselves. He tells them that before going into battle, the priests must address the people and remind them of the laws and commandments of God. This was a way to remind the Israelites of their covenant with God and to ensure that they were following His will. Moses also emphasizes the importance of having faith in God and not relying on their own strength or numbers.
Furthermore, Moses lays out specific instructions for besieging a city. He tells the Israelites that if they approach a city to make war, they must first offer terms of peace. If the city accepts the terms, then the Israelites must make the people their subjects and put them to forced labor. However, if the city refuses the terms of peace, then the Israelites must besiege it and conquer it. However, they were not to destroy the fruit trees or use them in the siege, as they were a vital source of food for the Israelites. This shows the importance of being just and merciful in war, and not destroying unnecessarily.
In the final section of chapter 20, Moses emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's laws. He tells the Israelites that if they obey God and keep His commandments, then they will be blessed and successful in battle. However, if they turn away from God and disobey His commandments, then they will be punished. Moses uses the example of the cities of the nations that the Israelites were about to conquer. He tells them that if they do not drive out the inhabitants and destroy their idols, then those people will become a snare and a trap for them. This is a warning against the dangers of disobedience and the consequences that come with it.
Moses also reminds the Israelites of the covenant they made with God at Mount Sinai. He tells them that they are a chosen people, and God has set them apart to be holy. As such, they must follow His laws and not be led astray by the practices of the nations they are about to conquer. This is a reminder that the Israelites are God's people, and they must act accordingly.
Chapter 20 of Deuteronomy is rich in meaning and significance for both the Israelites and modern-day readers. The main themes of this chapter include faith, obedience, and the importance of following God's laws. Through this chapter, Moses reminds the Israelites of their covenant with God and the consequences of disobedience.
One of the main messages of this chapter is the importance of having faith in God. Moses reassures the Israelites that they do not need to fear or be discouraged, for God is with them and will fight for them. This is a reminder that victory is not dependent on our own strength or abilities, but on God's power and presence. This message is still relevant today, as we face our own battles and struggles. We must have faith in God and trust that He will see us through.
The laws of warfare outlined in this chapter also emphasize the importance of obedience to God's laws. The exemptions for those who have just built a house, planted a vineyard, or are newly married show that there are more important things in life than material possessions and conquest. This is a reminder to prioritize our relationship with God and our responsibilities to our families over worldly pursuits.
Furthermore, the instructions for besieging a city demonstrate the importance of being just and merciful in war. The Israelites were not to destroy the fruit trees or use them in the siege, showing that they must not be wasteful or unnecessarily cruel. This is a message that is still relevant today, as we must remember to treat others with compassion and mercy, even in times of conflict.
The consequences of disobedience outlined in the final section of this chapter serve as a warning against the dangers of straying from God's laws. Moses uses the example of the cities of the nations that the Israelites were about to conquer to show the consequences of not following God's will. This is a reminder that our actions have consequences, and we must be mindful of our choices.
Finally, the reminder of the covenant made with God at Mount Sinai serves as a call to holiness for the Israelites. They are God's chosen people, and as such, they must follow His laws and not be led astray by the practices of other nations. This is a reminder that we, too, are called to be holy and set apart for God's purposes.
In conclusion, chapter 20 of Deuteronomy in the KJV Holy Bible is a continuation of Moses' instructions to the Israelites before they go to battle against their enemies. It outlines the laws and guidelines for going to war, including who can go to battle, how to conduct oneself during war, and what actions to take after a victory. The main themes of this chapter include faith, obedience, and the importance of following God's laws. Through this chapter, Moses reminds the Israelites of their covenant with God and the consequences of disobedience. This chapter holds great significance for both the Israelites and modern-day readers, as it teaches us the importance of faith, obedience, and holiness in our lives.
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