Deuteronômio 20
David Guzik · Citado em PreceptAustin
Deuteronômio 20
Guzik - God did not deny that the enemies of Israel would usually have more horses, chariots, and people than Israel. But God asked them to recognize a greater fact: That the LORD your God is with you. As Paul said it in Romans 8:31: If God is for us, who can be against us? One with God makes an unbeatable majority. (Enduring Word Commentary - Deut 20) Deere - the outcome of a battle would never be determined by mere military strength (cf. Isa. 31:1–3; Hosea 14:3). (The Bible Knowledge Commentary)
Deuteronômio 20
Guzik observes that "Israel, a small nation surrounded by great empires, was rarely in a strategically superior position. In battle, they usually saw horses and chariots and people more numerous." Despite the clear danger, they also had a clear command from God to not fear. Israel was commanded to not fear what any logical military man would fear: superior numbers, superior technology, and superior equipment. (Enduring Word Commentary - Deut 20)
Deuteronômio 20
Guzik - Though the priests were not normally to go into battle themselves (they were not numbered among the fighting men of Israel, Numbers 1:47–53), the priests still had an important job when Israel went to war—to spiritually teach and encourage the soldiers! (Enduring Word Commentary - Deut 20)
Deuteronômio 20
Guzik - To God, the size of the army wasn’t important; the heart of the army was far more important. He didn’t want people who might be distracted from the real battle by worrying about the cares of everyday life (their home, their vineyard, their fiancée’); nor did He want people who were not really trusting Him. God could do more through a smaller army that was really committed to Him than through a bigger army that was full of compromise.. The story of Gideon (Judges 7) is a powerful illustration of this; Gideon started with an army of 32,000, but it was too big—so he sent home those who were afraid, and 22,000 left! But it was still too big, so God had him send home 7,700 more, so he only had an army of 300 to fight against a Midianite army of 135,000! Yet God gave him the victory. (Enduring Word Commentary - Deut 20) Deuteronomy 20:9 "When the officers have finished speaking to the people, they shall appoint commanders of armies at the head of the people. the people: Heb. to be in the head of the people, De 20:9 Deuteronomy 19 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries ORGANIZATION OF THE ARMY When the officers have finished speaking to the people, they shall appoint commanders of armies at the head of the people - NET = "Then, when the officers have finished speaking, they must appoint unit commanders to lead the troops." Having in effect removed the "chaff" from the "wheat," it was now time to organize the army. No matter how good the soldiers were, they needed to have good leadership. How officers were selected is not clear, but presumably they were head elders in each of the 12 tribes and would have been men know not just for their physical prowess but more so for their spiritual prowess.
Deuteronômio 20
Guzik - The previous commands regarding warfare did not apply to the upcoming conquest of Canaan. There, not only was Israel not to offer peace to the cities, but they were also to destroy everything, not only the adult males. This was a unique war of judgment, more than a war of conquest or defense. (Enduring Word Commentary - Deut 20) Only in the cities of these peoples that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, you shall not leave alive anything that breathes - The cities in the Promised Land were totally under the ban of destruction (v17 "utterly destroy"). Breathes is all inclusive, signifying all women, infants, and animals! This is total annihilation! One might ask but why the innocent animals? While the text does not say, the likely reason is that some of the animals had been set apart to be sacrificed to idol gods and it would not be possible to know which ones had been so designated, so all had to be destroyed. I am a bit surprised that they were allowed to conserve the trees (vv 19-20), for groves of trees were common sites of their horrible pagan "worship" practices. Presumably these would be identifiable by Asherah poles and sacred pillars (cf Dt 16:21). Grant - The city of Jericho was dealt with in this way (Josh 6:21), with the exception of Rahab and her family (showing that those who willingly acknowledged the Lord were spared), as was Ai (Josh 8:24–26) and other cities (see Josh 10:28–40). The Gibeonites realised that they would be overthrown also and they devised a scheme to deceive Joshua by approaching Israel and claiming that they were not inhabitants of Canaan, but had come from a long distance to enter into a treaty with them. Once this was done Joshua learned that they were Canaanites. The only course open to him was to make them subservient to Israel as “hewers of wood and drawers of water” (Josh 9:21) in an attempt to curtail their influence. .(What the Bible Teaches – Leviticus and Deuteronomy) So the reasons for total obliteration include this is the command of God, because of their evil influence and because their cup of iniquity was full—beyond repentance - "the iniquity of the Amorite is (NOW) complete.” (Ge 15:16+, cf Nu. 21:2–3) People can become so savage, evil, and corrupt that they are beyond repair or repentance, beyond hope or correction. This is what is known as the cup of iniquity being full—filled to the point that it overflows and continues to overflow with iniquities, the "point of no return!" History has shown that such behavior can be true of both individuals and nations. A person’s or a nation’s cup of iniquity can become full—well beyond repair or repentance, well beyond hope or correction. God declares this fact time and again as the following Scriptures show (Ge. 15:16, Lev. 18:24–25, Le. 20:23, De. 9:4–5, 2 Ki 21:2, 2 Chr. 28:3, 2 Chr. 33:2, Ps. 106:38, Isa. 24:5, Jer. 3:2, Je. 16:18).
Deuteronômio 20
Guzik - This explains why such a complete destruction was commanded. The culture of the Canaanites was so corrupt—socially, morally, and spiritually—that God considered it irredeemable, and ripe for judgment. In this unique war, the armies of Israel were to bring that judgment upon the Canaanites. (Enduring Word Commentary - Deut 20) They may not teach you to do according to all their detestable (abominable) things which they have done for their gods (Heb = “to do according to all their abominations which they do for their gods”), so that you would sin against the LORD your God - The Canaanites were unspeakably evil practicing horrible sexual perversions under the deluded guise of worship of their so-called gods! Human flesh being what it is would be naturally attracted to their sensual, sexual practices and the result would be the Israelites (like a "Wife" of Yahweh - Jer 31:32+ and Isa 54:5) would be ensnared and would be unfaithful, would "go a whoring" with the pagan idols and practices and would commit sins against their "Husband" Yahweh. And repeatedly Yahweh is described as "jealous" for this very reason (Dt 4:23-24, Dt 5:8-9, Dt 6:14-15, Dt 32:15-16, Dt 32:20-21). THRUST - Beloved, we are the Bride of Christ and need to remember that God's character is immutable and so He is still a justly jealous God. Are you ensnared by any of the world's "idols" or their pagan practices which are lewd and licentious? If so, you need to "cut your losses" confess you sins and seek His mercy and grace to provide Spirit energized repentance and passionate pursuit of Him as the Lover of your soul! Don't procrastinate or prevaricate but pursue this godly course of action now, today while you still are a beneficiary of His magnanimous mercy and great lovingkindness. Remember that God in His infinite wisdom and knowledge may one day say "Enough!" None of His children want to experience that day! Can I hear an "amen?" Amen!
Deuteronômio 20
Guzik - When an army surrounded a city during a siege, the army would forage around the countryside for supplies. Needing wood for building and fuel, it would be common for the besieging army to cut down trees in the area around the city. But they had to take a long-term view (one good for the ecology), and see that their immediate need for wood was less important than the long-term good of the area. (Enduring Word Commentary - Deut 20)