Easy Bible・Deuteronomy 20

Preparing for Battle

Key Passages

About this Chapter

This chapter provides instructions for the Israelites when they go to war against their enemies. Before going into battle, the officers were to address the soldiers, assuring them of God's presence and reminding them not to fear their enemies. The officers were to dismiss those who were afraid or had other reasons to be exempted from the battle. The Israelites were also given specific guidelines for different scenarios, such as sieges and battles against nearby cities or distant nations. The Israelites were instructed to offer peace to the cities that were not part of the Promised Land, giving them the opportunity to surrender and become subject to forced labor. However, if the city refused to surrender, the Israelites were to besiege it and conquer it. In the case of battles against distant nations, the Israelites were not to spare anyone alive, but to completely destroy the nations that God had given them as an inheritance. These laws of warfare served as a reminder to the Israelites that victory in battle was not solely dependent on their military strength, but on their trust in God's guidance and provision. It also emphasized the importance of obedience to God's commands, as they were entering the Promised Land and establishing their nation.