Topical Bible: The Jews: Strengthened by God in War

◄ The Jews: Strengthened by God in War ►

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Throughout the biblical narrative, the Jewish people are depicted as recipients of divine strength and guidance, particularly in times of war. This theme is woven into the fabric of their history, illustrating a profound relationship between God and His chosen people, where divine intervention often turns the tide of battle in favor of Israel.

Divine Promises and Assurance

The foundation of Israel's military strength lies in the promises of God. In Deuteronomy 20:4, the Israelites are assured, "For the LORD your God is the One who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you victory." This assurance is not merely a promise of physical might but a spiritual guarantee that God Himself will be present in their battles, ensuring success against overwhelming odds.

Historical Examples of Divine Intervention

1. The Exodus and the Red Sea: One of the earliest and most dramatic examples of divine intervention in war is the parting of the Red Sea. As the Israelites fled from Pharaoh's army, God instructed Moses to stretch out his hand over the sea, dividing the waters and allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground. The pursuing Egyptian forces were then engulfed by the returning waters (Exodus 14:21-28). This event not only demonstrated God's power but also His commitment to deliver His people from oppression.

2. The Conquest of Canaan: The conquest of Canaan under Joshua is replete with instances of God strengthening Israel in battle. At Jericho, the walls fell after the Israelites followed God's unconventional battle plan of marching around the city and blowing trumpets (Joshua 6:20). Similarly, during the battle at Gibeon, God hurled large hailstones from the sky, and the sun stood still at Joshua's request, prolonging the day until Israel achieved victory (Joshua 10:11-14).

3. Gideon's Victory over the Midianites: In Judges 7, Gideon, with only 300 men, defeated the vast Midianite army. God intentionally reduced Gideon's forces to demonstrate that victory was not by human strength but by divine power. The LORD said to Gideon, "With the three hundred men who lapped I will save you and deliver the Midianites into your hand" (Judges 7:7).

4. David and Goliath: The account of David and Goliath is a quintessential example of God empowering an individual to achieve victory against formidable odds. David, a young shepherd, faced the giant Goliath with nothing but a sling and faith in God. He declared, "The battle is the LORD’s, and He will give you into our hands" (1 Samuel 17:47), and with a single stone, he defeated the Philistine champion.

The Role of Faith and Obedience

The strength that God provides in war is often contingent upon the faith and obedience of His people. The Israelites' victories are frequently preceded by acts of faith, such as marching around Jericho or reducing the size of Gideon's army. Conversely, when Israel disobeys or lacks faith, they experience defeat, as seen in the initial failure at Ai due to Achan's sin (Joshua 7).

Prophetic Assurance and Future Hope

The prophets also speak of God's strength in war, offering hope for future deliverance. Isaiah 41:10 reassures Israel, "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My right hand of righteousness." This promise extends beyond immediate military concerns, pointing to a future where God will ultimately triumph over all enemies of His people.

Conclusion

The biblical record consistently portrays the Jews as a people strengthened by God in war, underscoring a divine partnership that transcends human limitations. Through faith and obedience, Israel experiences God's mighty hand, affirming His sovereignty and faithfulness throughout their history.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Leviticus 26:7,8
And you shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Joshua 5:13,14
And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went to him, and said to him, Are you for us, or for our adversaries?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Joshua 8:1,2
And the LORD said to Joshua, Fear not, neither be you dismayed: take all the people of war with you, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

How Manasseh Reigned after Hezekiah; and How when He was in ...
The Antiquities of the Jews. ... towers, and the garrisoned places before the city he
strengthened, not only ... from the time of his return to piety towards God he was ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 3 how manasseh reigned.htm

The Blessing of God on Filial Piety.
... or their obligation to obey him; but the Jews had been ... His counsels, strengthened
by his example, made an indelible ... may not imitate those of this man of God? ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxiii the blessing of.htm

The Misery of those Who, Besides Losing the Saints' Rest, Lose the ...
... desire their temptations to be increased and their snares strengthened. ... a standing
witness of the wrath of God is the present deplorable state of the Jews! ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter vi the misery of.htm

The Sovereignty of God in Operation
... 1:19), and that they might be "strengthened with might ... God's people were in captivity,
but the predicted end of ... ruins, and, as we have said, the Jews were in ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter six the sovereignty of.htm

Heathen Plots
... Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Jews think to ... This conclusion was strengthened
by the fact that the ... more subtle and dangerous snare for the servant of God. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 55 heathen plots.htm

Discipline
... seems to have been demanded of the Jews, save those ... to you save the Spirit of God,
the giver ... I trust, quickened into more active life, strengthened into more ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon i discipline.htm

Whosoever Confesses that one God is the Author of Both Testaments ...
... And he also judges the Jews, who do not accept ... Those, again, who declare that "God
comes from the south ... and the feeble knees, shall be strengthened," [4310] and ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxxiii whosoever confesses that one.htm

Covenanting According to the Purposes of God.
... he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of ... What if God,
willing to show his wrath, and to ... he hath called, not of the Jews only, but ...
/.../the ordinance of covenanting/chapter viii covenanting according to.htm

Christ's Authority Over the Sabbath as Its Lord He Recalled it ...
... He displayed a hatred against the Jews' most solemn ... a people full of iniquities,
and loving God "with the ... healing: "The weak hands are strengthened," as were ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xii christs authority over the.htm

2 Timothy iv. 13-Sep
... He does not say He strengthened me as deserving of ... For many things were permitted
by God, that the weakness ... if with these defects the insensible Jews could ask ...
/.../homily x 2 timothy iv.htm