Warfare is a part of Israel’s history. The world was and still is a dangerous place. God’s people never picked a fight unless God commanded it.
The Jews were not warriors. They had been slaves but now they were free. As they make their way to the promised land – God teaches them to live by faith. He prepares them to be soldiers, just as He prepares us for the spiritual battle of our lives.
Each chapter of Joshua animates principles of warfare. Israel did not fight the way other nations fought. Their battles were God’s battles. Their victories were God’s victories!
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” – Ephesians 6:12
Check out Exodus 15:1-13 to see how Moses felt about His warrior King!
“Then Moses and the sons of Israel sang this song to the LORD, and said, “I will sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted; the horse and its rider He has hurled into the sea. The LORD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation; This is my God, and I will praise Him; My father’s God, and I will extol Him. The LORD is a warrior; The LORD is His name. Pharaoh’s chariots and his army He has cast into the sea; and the choicest of his officers are drowned in the Red Sea.”
And according to Paul…
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” – Ephesians 6:10-13
To war we go!
Dave & Burnadette