Chico Alliance Church
WAR AND THE BIBLE
INTRODUCTION
Will God appear in response to our summons and intervene in what is taking place in the Middle East?
There is much confused and emotional debate concerning this international crisis.
There are those violently opposing violence.
There are those who advocate annihilation of all Arabs on both the middle EAST and western shores.
Who is right? Are there any right answers?
The Bible does not directly address this Desert Storm directly.
But are there principles that could help develop a Divine perspective on the situation?
In the coming weeks I hope to give provide not my opinions but perspective from the Bible that will help answer some of the major questions that seem to be surfacing these days.
Why is there War?
What is God’s perspective?
What is God’s purpose concerning war?
Is there such thing as a noble war, or just war?
Should the United States have even become involved?
Is this crises part of a judgment upon the United States as well as Hussein?
How should we as Christians respond?
Can we Biblically as well as conscientiously object to war and violence?
How should I pray concerning the war?
Why am I afraid and what can I do about it?
What if I should be called to participate?
How should I be supporting my government’s position on the war?
Is this the beginning of the end?
How does Iraq fit into the Biblical past and the prophetic future?
These are just some of the issues we hope to briefly address in the coming week or weeks.
Be honest enough to let the Bible bring a divine perspective on our world.
It is only when we seek to approach current events in light of Biblical truth that we will arrive at a divine perspective.
I. WHY IS THERE WAR?
The dictionary defines war as a state of hostility, conflict, or antagonism; a struggle or competition between opposing forces or for a particular end.
The Biblical term employed to describe such conflict are similar. Strife, conflict, battle, fight.
When we use the word war, we usually use it in reference to a conflict on a larger scale between nations or tribes or between people groups.
The basic issues are the same, the extent and methods vary.
James explains clearly the source and just why there is war on this earth and why there will always be war.
What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. Jam 4:1-2
But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. Jam 3:16
The foundation of all war and fighting relates to selfish ambition. Man has inherited from Adam a insatiable desire to have.
The legitimate need for acceptance now must control and manipulate.
The legitimate need for worth seeks fulfillment in things.
The legitimate capacity for pleasure seeks fulfillment in sensuality.
When these needs are blocked or go unfulfilled war breaks out.
James says, "you don’t get your desires meet you kill and covet."
The more powerful the person the broader and more devastating the conflict.
We have examples from the old feuding families to Sadaam Hussein today.
These desires demand attention. Their demands defy our conscience. There results a never ending battle within.
Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 1Pe 2:11
Right from the beginning family this has been the cause.
Cain and Abel
By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead. Heb 11:4
But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. Then the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it." Now Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let’s go out to the field." And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. Gen 4:8
Somewhere in every war is selfish ambition, the desire to control, manipulate, plunder, possess someone else.
In all or our wonderful intelligence and sophistication and technology you would think that we would have progressed beyond war and fighting one another.
As long as there is fallen man with his selfish ambitions stirred up by our flesh, our culture, and the enemy of our souls, there will be war.
The heart is deceitful and desperately wicked.
The more one is able to resist and sear his conscience, and indulge the selfish ambitions which wage war in the soul, the more wicked and perverse the external behaviors become.
As a Hitler and a Saddam grow more powerful politically, the few restraints to these unbridled lusts and the more hideous and atrocious they become.
Energizing these drives is the prince of the power of the air.
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. Eph 2:1-3
Satan and his demons energize the flesh to unspeakable dimensions.
As we will see, God uses war and conflict to make a stand against these powers of darkness.
Jesus said, "I will build my church and even the gates of hell will not prevail against it."
The church is God’s retraining factor in the World today against unbridled lusts.
2 Thessalonians 2 speaks of the retraining force that prevents the lawless one to emerge.
In fact he will not emerge until the retrain has been taken away.
God has instituted government as a restrainer of evil.
When justice is slow however,
When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers. Pro 21:15
The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother. When the wicked thrive, so does sin, but the righteous will see their downfall. Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul. Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law. Pro 29:16-18
We live in a culture now that views any kind of restraint as an offense against my rights to be immoral.
On the one hand we cry about how terrible our society has become.
On the other hand we propagate and promote an amoral culture whose supreme law is the liberty to do what I feel.
A fool is one who holds to the belief that I can do whatever I want or feel and not have to consider the consequences.
The book of judges describes the horribleness of such a society which every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
Rescue me, O Lord, from evil men; protect me from men of violence, who devise evil plans in their hearts and stir up war every day. Psa 140:2
We have wars because we live in a fallen world of proud, rebellious, self centered people whose chief aim in life is to get their own way no matter what.
II. HOW DOES GOD FEEL ABOUT WAR?
A. God’s Perspective
One cannot read the Old Testament or the New without a distinct impression that God is somehow closely connected to war.
The trouble with some pacifists who hold up Jesus as their example have ignored the full revelation concerning Jesus pictured in the book of Revelation.
I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Rev 19:11-16
The song of victory in Exodus 15 hails God as a God of war.
The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him. The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is his name. Exo 15:2-3
God strengthened individuals for war.
Moses
Joshua
Judges
Many of the judges are held in high regard in Hebrews for their faith demonstrated in battle.
And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Heb 11:32-34
David
"I pursued my enemies and crushed them; I did not turn back till they were destroyed. I crushed them completely, and they could not rise; they fell beneath my feet. You armed me with strength for battle; you made my adversaries bow at my feet. You made my enemies turn their backs in flight, and I destroyed my foes. 2Sa 22:41
God destroyed armies before the Israelites
As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move out to battle, because that will mean God has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army." 1Ch 14:15
Gives counsel to be wise in war
Make plans by seeking advice; if you wage war, obtain guidance. Pro 20:18 A wise man has great power, and a man of knowledge increases strength; for waging war you need guidance, and for victory many advisers. Pro 24:6
NOTE: There is a difference between war and murder. They are two different Hebrew words.
We are told to be good soldiers, to prepare for battle, to fight the good fight.
The Lord left nations in the land that the Israelites might learn to war and obey. Judges 3:1-2
The Lord incited war.
I have commanded my holy ones; I have summoned my warriors to carry out my wrath - those who rejoice in my triumph. Listen, a noise on the mountains, like that of a great multitude! Listen, an uproar among the kingdoms, like nations massing together! The Lord Almighty is mustering an army for war. Isa 13:4
See, I will stir up against them the Medes, who do not care for silver and have no delight in gold. Their bows will strike down the young men; they will have no mercy on infants nor will they look with compassion on children. Babylon, the jewel of kingdoms, the glory of the Babylonians’ pride, will be overthrown by God like Sodom and Gomorrah. Isa 13:19
You see, death is the result of man’s sin. It has been appointed for everyone to die and face judgment.
In the stubbornness of his heart man will not listen. God must cause him to face the ultimate before he will wake up.
War is one of those things that brings about a soberness and attentiveness to the realities of life.
Today as never before in recent history America is facing the realities of our fallen world.
It is beamed into our living room every hour.
It is a constant reminder of the frailty of our flesh.
Even more so for the American troops who in this war have not been afforded the reality deadening escape methods of drugs, sex and entertainment.
Can we believe in a loving God and make room for war at the same time?
Yes, as long as we remember that the ultimate source of war is the wicked selfish ambition of mankind for power and control of his world.
God only uses those drives to bring about His own purposes.
Just what are the purposes for war in the Bible?
B. God’s Purpose
1. Defense
God allows war for protection against aggression.
God has instituted government for protection.
Part of the consequences of a man-centered government is that they will have to fight for their freedom and protection.
War is not for selfish ambition or aggression to take what does not belong.
War is not for vengeance, or personal venting.
Ultimately however we must know that no matter how much we prepare and protect, God is the only true protector.
The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord. Pro 21:31
No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. Psa 33:19
2. Liberation
God condemns aggression. He does however encourage liberating what rightfully belongs to us.
God promised Abraham land, seed, and blessing. The land of Canaan was rightfully theirs.
Over and over in Joshua and Deuteronomy we hear the command to possess the land promises to Abraham.
Joab was condemned because he shed the blood of war in time of peace.
"Now you yourself know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me - what he did to the two commanders of Israel’s armies, Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether. He killed them, shedding their blood in peacetime as if in battle, and with that blood stained the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet. 1Ki 2:5
God condemns war for war’s sake.
Rebuke the beast among the reeds, the herd of bulls among the calves of the nations. Humbled, may it bring bars of silver. Scatter the nations who delight in war. Psa 68:30
God encouraged that they make peace first, to fight only as a last resort.
When you march up to attack a city, make its people an offer of peace. If they accept and open their gates, all the people in it shall be subject to forced labor and shall work for you. If they refuse to make peace and they engage you in battle, lay siege to that city. Deu 20:12
There are other war commands in Deuteronomy 20.
They were not to destroy the land.
They were to treat captives kindly.
3. Discipline & Judgment
Since man only understands death and destruction, God must use war to wake us up to the realities of our rebellion and sin against Him.
Even though the people who inhabited the promised land were wicked and destined for destruction, God still gave them time.
Part of the reason for the forty year desert detour was that the "cup of the Ammorites was not yet full."
God has used war and destruction to bring about His judgment all through history.
He brought discipline upon his people through war as well judgment upon other evil nations.
Government has been ordained by God as an instrument of justice on the earth.
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. Rom 13:1-5
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 1Pe 2:14
So far in history, wherever there has been aggression and unbridled evil, God has raised up judgment of some kind.
Deuteronomy 28 outlines some of the ways that God brings judgment.
War and destruction are only part of that judgment.
When Israel sinned and sinned and stiffened her neck in regard to idolatry for hundreds of years, God incited first Assyria upon the North and finally Babylon on the south to purge the evil from their hearts.
He even used civil war between them to bring about His purposes.
He hardened Pharaohs heart to go after Israel so that He could bring judgement upon her.
READ ISAIAH 9:8-17
Result Isa 12
Babylon Isa 13:17-22
Jeremiah was told not to Pray for the people. God’s anger would not be turned away.
Often times judgment is not reversible. Ezk 14:12-23
God brought about death even in New Testament times as judgment for sin.
Ananias and Saphira Acts 5
Unworthy participation in the communion 1 Cor 11
Sin unto death 1John 5
When blood was spilt, justice was to be brought.
The killer was killed.
Only through justice was the land freed from oppression.
"Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man. Gen 9:6
"`Do not pollute the land where you are. Bloodshed pollutes the land, and atonement cannot be made for the land on which blood has been shed, except by the blood of the one who shed it. Num 35:33
One way or another, God brings about His justice.
O how I long for the day when ABSOLUTE justice will reign.
III. WHAT ABOUT THIS WAR?
Although there is no direct revelation regarding this particular war, there are some things we can draw from it.
War of defense against aggression.
War of liberation. Peace, safety, freedom not revenge and conquest.
Effort at negotiation.
Limited objectives and limited means.
War of judgment.
1. Iraq a nation worshipping a false God following a leader of unbelievable cruelty and aggression against others.
A man of incredible pride second only to Neb of Babylon.
2. United States a nation of incredible immorality and unmerciful killing of innocent babies.
A humanistic nation whose god is materialism and pleasure and power.
The war is a wake up call to return to God and morality.
A call to repentance.
A call to humble ourselves and pray and turn from our wicked ways.
CONCLUSION
Death is an enemy.
Thus war is an enemy.
Keep our head straight however.
God is not the author of war.
War is the result of a fallen world where man is driven to kill when his passions are not appeased.
What are we willing to do when our desires are blocked or thwarted?
There can be a noble war when it is the result of noble causes.
1. Defense
2. Liberation
3. Execute just judgment of God.
