Topical Encyclopedia
In the ancient Israelite society, military service was a significant duty for the men of Israel. However, the Mosaic Law provided specific exemptions to ensure that certain individuals could attend to personal and familial responsibilities before engaging in warfare. One such exemption applied to those who had recently built a house.
The primary biblical reference for this exemption is found in the book of Deuteronomy.
Deuteronomy 20:5 states: "Then the officers shall address the army, saying, ‘Has any man built a new house and not dedicated it? Let him go back to his house, lest he die in battle and another man dedicate it.’" This provision highlights the importance of personal and familial stability in the life of an Israelite.
The dedication of a new house was a significant event, symbolizing the establishment of a family’s presence and legacy within the community. The exemption allowed the homeowner to enjoy and secure his new dwelling, ensuring that he could fulfill his role as the head of the household. This reflects the broader biblical principle that family and home are foundational to societal stability and continuity.
The exemption also underscores the compassionate nature of the Mosaic Law, which recognized the emotional and psychological burdens of warfare. By allowing a man to dedicate his house, the law provided a period of respite and personal fulfillment, acknowledging that a distracted or anxious soldier might not perform effectively in battle.
Furthermore, this exemption can be seen as a reflection of God’s concern for justice and fairness. It prevented the injustice of a man losing his life in battle without having the opportunity to enjoy the fruits of his labor. The law ensured that the responsibilities and joys of civilian life were not overshadowed by the demands of military service.
In the broader context of Israelite society, this exemption, along with others related to personal circumstances (such as betrothal and vineyard planting), illustrates the balance between communal obligations and individual rights. It highlights the value placed on personal milestones and the recognition that these events contribute to the strength and cohesion of the community as a whole.
Overall, the exemption for those who had built a house reflects a deep understanding of human needs and priorities, ensuring that the call to arms did not override the essential aspects of life that sustain and nurture the people of Israel.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Deuteronomy 20:5And the officers shall speak to the people, saying, What man is there that has built a new house, and has not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
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Footnotes
... After serving a few years (seldom more than eight ... sweet pleasant and unspeakable
comfort to godly persons. ... Gataker's "God's Eye on his Israel","preface, Lond ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/footnotes.htm
Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon:
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The Desire of the Righteous Granted;
... of their own, are not the persons contained in ... man of God, was with the children
of Israel in the ... knit together to their head, and lovingly serving one another ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the desire of the righteous.htm
An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
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Resources
Who was Joab in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgDoes Bible prophecy predict that there will be a World War 3 (III, three) before the end times? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the Babylonian captivity/exile? | GotQuestions.orgArmies: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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