.- A frequent objection against the Christian faith is the violence described in the Old Testament. Gideon, David, Joshua: They were among the many leaders who overcame and killed in the name of the Lord. Israel appears to have been a violent nation, and God appears to be a despotic warmonger.
What was the Lord’s purpose for war? Why is the Old Testament so violent in contrast to the New Testament, where Jesus offers peace?
The Theme of War in the Scriptures
A Bible concordance offers more than 400 references to war. Break these down and include examples of military conflict and interpersonal conflict.
Scripture tells us that there is “a time to love, and a time to hate; time of war, and time of peace” (Ecclesiastes 3:8).
Battles were planned throughout the ages, according to God’s appointed time and purpose.
The Lord describes his people as “my hammer and weapon of war: with you I will break nations; with you I destroy kingdoms” ( Jeremiah 51:20 ).
Jesus warned that his return will be preceded by “wars and rumors of wars” ( Matthew 24:6 ).
According to Billy Graham, “The Bible certainly urges us to pray for peace and support those who work for peace. But the Bible also warns us that we will never achieve a complete end to wars and conflicts.”
Countries, communities and families get involved in wars that leave a painful legacy.
Old Testament bloodshed
There are several examples in the Old Testament of military engagements in which the oppressors defeat the Lord’s people or are ordered to kill their enemies.
“Even a cursory reading of Joshua can provoke questions that leave us confused, angry, and perhaps even ready to give up the Bible and God. Why would a good God send his people to take land that belongs to another nation?
The Lord sent his people to the lands that he had reserved for them. Israel conquered lands and took lives. The Book of Joshua is particularly challenging, but as Andy Patton argues, we must read it in context.
Yes, there is a lot of violence here, but also a nation of idol worshipers who engage in pagan rituals, including child sacrifice, rejection and mockery of the one true God.
New Testament Wars
Israel was a conquered nation at the time of Christ because they continually chose to worship idols instead of worshiping the Lord. However, they were never defeated due to the military prowess of an imperial power like Rome or Egypt.
The Almighty proved His sufficiency with the few hundred men who conquered the Midianites (judges). The problem was internal.
In James 4:1, the writer of the epistle of the same name asked, “What is it that causes disputes and fights among you?” The war never ceases because there is an internal and painful confrontation within the believer, the war to overcome sin.
Christ did not come to earth to lead a decisive battle against Israel’s physical enemies because the internal struggle is the real problem. James 4:1 tells us, “Your passions are at war within you.”
So even though Christians are taught to love their enemies rather than fight them, they still wear the Armor of God (Ephesians 6) against sin and Satan, their most ruthless enemies.
As Gandalf said when the Fellowship faced the Balrog, “Swords are useless here.”
The next end time war
Christians anticipate a final and decisive confrontation between Christ and Satan. Christ came to save his people for eternity from his greatest enemy, sin, so removing Satan from his rule on earth will be the most dramatic and violent war that has ever taken place.
We already know who the winner is. What we don’t know for sure are the details. Revelation offers clues, but much of the language is symbolic. Historical battles are described using extreme language, but how can language serve us in trying to represent the final epic battle?
Fire came down from heaven and consumed [al enemigo]and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever ( Revelation 20:9 ).
Unlike some of Israel’s warriors, Christ will go ahead and completely destroy Satan and his minions. We know that victory is certain and with Christ being the leader, he will obey his Father down to the last detail.
Written by: candice lucey at Crosswalk.
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