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\u201cWhen you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you\u201d (Deuteronomy 20:1).

Our text introduces a chapter that is difficult to read. It is offensive to our modern sensibilities. We should rightly wrestle with the questions of Israel at war. Why did it have to be that way? I\u2019m not sure that we can fully satisfy ourselves with an answer. However, some things should probably be said about this, so here goes.

Warfare seems to be about as old as humanity. Think of the story in Genesis 4 between two brothers in which the one kills the other. By the time Israel emerges out of Egypt, one nation conquering another was par for the course and has been right up to the present day. Maybe God was simply allowing Israel to function according to human rules.

Whatever the reasons for Israel\u2019s warfare, the church is not Israel. The church must not encourage the mobilization of armies for the Christian cause. It must be stated that one of the reasons Canada now has a National Day of Truth and Reconciliation is because the church took up arms to further God\u2019s cause. She felt compelled to Christianize North America by whatever means possible. To this day, the church pays the price of such notions.

It is worth noting that in Israel, warfare was not glorified. She was not encouraged to have a standing army or gather war horses. Also, as in this chapter, there was no disgrace in being afraid. People who were frightened were encouraged to go home. No shame. And people in various situations, such as engaged to be married or having just planted a new vineyard, were told to go home and enjoy what waited for them there.

Should we just throw this chapter out then? No. I think our text lies behind some themes that show up later in the scriptures. Some of the Psalms for example. \u201cDo not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing. Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God (Psalm 146:3-5). And \u201cIt is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes\u201d (Ps 118:8-9).

This theme makes its way into the New Testament. \u201cFinally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power\u2026Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand\u201d (Ephesians 6:9, 13).

There has been much ado over the past decades about Christian\u2019s being warriors; the target audience being boys and young men. But this defies the logic of this famous passage about the armour of God. Yes, Christians, male and female, are encouraged to put on the armour of God. But Paul does not tell us to fight. Rather, we are told \u201cto stand against the devil\u2019s schemes\u2026to stand our ground\u2026to stand\u2026.\u201d (11,13). The emphasis throughout is not on what we are doing but on what God does and gives.

Like Israel, we are not to trust in ourselves but in the power and might of our God. Isaiah said, \u201cin quietness and trust is your strength\u201d but Israel chose to flee on wild horses and was defeated. Waiting on the Lord (Psalm 130), not warfare, is the pervasive Biblical image.