Topical Encyclopedia The concept of "The Army's Flight" in the Bible often refers to instances where military forces are divinely routed or compelled to flee in the face of overwhelming odds or divine intervention. This theme is prevalent throughout the Old Testament, illustrating God's sovereignty and power over the nations and their armies.1. The Exodus and the Egyptian Army: One of the most dramatic examples of an army's flight is found in the account of the Exodus. The Israelites, led by Moses, were pursued by Pharaoh's army after their departure from Egypt. As the Israelites reached the Red Sea, God miraculously parted the waters, allowing them to cross on dry ground. When the Egyptian army attempted to follow, the waters returned, causing the army to flee in panic and ultimately be destroyed. Exodus 14:27-28 states, "So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea returned to its normal state. As the Egyptians were fleeing toward it, the LORD swept them into the sea. The waters flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had chased the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived." 2. The Defeat of the Midianites: In Judges 7, Gideon and his 300 men faced the vast Midianite army. Through God's guidance, Gideon employed a strategy that caused confusion and fear among the Midianites, leading to their flight. Judges 7:21-22 describes the scene: "Each man stood in his place around the camp, and the entire Midianite army fled, crying out as they ran. When the three hundred trumpets sounded, the LORD set the swords of each man against his companion throughout the camp, and the army fled to Beth-shittah toward Zererah, as far as the border of Abel-meholah near Tabbath." 3. The Assyrian Army's Retreat: The Assyrian army, under King Sennacherib, besieged Jerusalem during the reign of King Hezekiah. In response to Hezekiah's prayer, God sent an angel who struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, causing the remainder to flee. 2 Kings 19:35-36 recounts, "That night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies! So Sennacherib king of Assyria broke camp and withdrew. He returned to Nineveh and stayed there." 4. The Philistines' Defeat by Jonathan and Saul: In 1 Samuel 14, Jonathan, the son of King Saul, initiated an attack against the Philistines with his armor-bearer. God caused panic among the Philistine army, leading to their flight. 1 Samuel 14:15-16 states, "Then panic struck the whole Philistine army—the camp and the field, those in the outposts and raiding parties—and the ground shook. It was a panic sent by God. Saul’s watchmen in Gibeah of Benjamin looked and saw the army melting away in every direction." 5. The Moabites' Defeat: In 2 Kings 3, the armies of Israel, Judah, and Edom faced the Moabites. Through a miraculous provision of water, God caused the Moabites to see the water as blood, leading them to believe the allied armies had turned on each other. This misconception led to their hasty retreat. 2 Kings 3:22-24 explains, "When they got up early in the morning, the sun was shining on the water, and to the Moabites across the way, the water looked red—like blood. 'That’s blood!' they said. 'Those kings must have fought and slaughtered each other. Now to the plunder, Moab!' But when the Moabites came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose up and fought them until they fled." These accounts demonstrate the recurring biblical theme of divine intervention in battles, where God causes confusion, fear, or miraculous events that lead to the flight of enemy armies. Such narratives underscore the belief in God's ultimate control over human affairs and His ability to deliver His people against overwhelming odds. |