The Military Soldier & The Battle Ax – Part 1

Good day to each you reading this column—Happy New Year for 2022 has come in and we welcome the new year and the splendor it may bring.

One could look on the dark side for there is much strife in this world, but I am not going to be overcome with fear for I know brighter days are ahead and I will dwell on all the blessings that God hath given me and for all that he does daily.

We got so caught up on the negatives of life that we take for granted all the blessings that God gives while forgetting to thank him for all that he provides.

Just think if he takes your breath away, one simple gasp of air and that is the end—yet we don’t give it a thought and go about our business. Give it a thought and Praise God for all that he does for you—You will be much happier and you will be filled with joy and of good heart. Try it, you’ll like it!

As many of you are aware, our president is “poking the bear” by getting involved with the Ukraine crisis. My question is simple, “When did the United States of America become the policemen of the world?” Have our leaders not learned from the Vietnam, Korea, Afghanistan, and Middle East wars? Have we not lost so many men and women, trillions of dollars and for what? What have we gained?

Please let me know for I see nothing good that became of these wars. You may ask, “Am I a pacifist?” No, by all means.

I will be using Howard Rand’s Digest of the Divine Law with various thoughts and biblical references to aid me on the questions that pacifists may ask.

The question posed to you, Where, in the Bible, are individuals instructed to make war? Can you find verses or illustrations to make your point, for I can find nowhere, but I do find instruction regarding defense against aggression.

I can bear arms and defend myself against the aggressor or criminally inclined per the law and by its authority. At the command of the government, each individual is duty bound to become a part of the armed forces when the enemy threatens the security of the nation.

As a reference for all that were able to go to war, turn to (Numbers 1:2-3) “Take a census of the whole Israelite community by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one.

You and Aaron are to number by their divisions all the men in Israel twenty years old or more who are able to serve in the army.

Numbers 1:1 tells us that the Lord spoke to Moses to take a census and to determine the amount of fighting men to protect the Israelites from their aggressors before entering the promised land. (Note: Israel is not the aggressor, but the protector of its people).

If you are a pacifist, why do you quote Matthew 16:52 (NIV) “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.”

Let’s look at the Ferrar Fenton rendering, “return your sword into its place; for those who take the sword, will fall by the means of the sword.”

Moffat’s translation says: “all who draw the sword will die by the sword.”

Three versions quoted to clarify the meaning that Jesus was condemning the aggression only. Always remember that the sword drawer is the aggressor and that the defender has a sword also to defend himself. Two swords, one for defending and one for being aggressive.

This leads us to the conversation of unprovoked attacks which were found in the book of Exodus where Amalek & his tribe of Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. (Note: The Amalekites were the aggressors and the Israelites the defenders as shown in Numbers 17:8-16.)

Please note of Numbers 17:14 (NIV) Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.”

All things in the Lord’s time for this was written on a scroll to be remembered before retaliation was made against the Amalekites. If there was a comparison, I would utilize the Second World war where the Japanese aggressively attacked the United States Naval Force on December 7, 1941, thus making the United States the defender for all Americans. Unprovoked attack—to the fullest.

The conclusion: Turn to Deuteronomy 25:17-19 (NIV) Remember what the Amalekites did to you along the way when you came out of Egypt. When you were weary and worn out, they met you on your journey and cut off all who were lagging behind; they had no fear of God. When the Lord your God gives you rest from all your enemies around you in the land that he giving you to possess as an inheritance, you shall blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven. Do not forget!

Was it any different before the attack of Pearl Harbor when America was busy minding its own business as the Germans and Italians waged war on Europe. Was America the aggressor in any way?

My belief is simple, God has given fellow Americans this land to possess as an inheritance and He will protect us and give us rest from our enemies if we follow and abide his commandments, statutes and laws.
Turn to Jeremiah 51:20 (KJV) Thou art my battle-axe, and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms;

Battle-axe in the KJV, war club in the NIV, maul in the Fenton version—choose your wording for this shows that Israel is destined to destroy their enemies through God’s divine intervention. Further research shows us God will protect his inheritance so no one will blot them of the face of the earth.

Why is it our presidents in the past did not learn about wars of aggression? What was the price for each of the past aggressions against third rate countries? Did our leaders go before God to deliver the enemy into our hands? Did our leaders think that “right is might”?

Do you think Jesus is a pacifist? Turn to Revelation 19:11 (NIV) I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider called Faithful and True, With Justice he judges and makes war.

Ferrar Fenton says, “For in justice He declares and wages war,” and Moffatt says:” Just are his judgments and his warfare.”

Mr. Rand, in the Digest of the Divine Law says, Surely if the Son of God is justified in waging war for the cause of righteousness, and for the purpose of establishing justice, can any of His followers do less in this present age and order than follow the example thus set for them? Amen!

The question that I have is, “Were the last four wars (Vietnam, Korea, Afghanistan, and the Middle East) fought for the cause of righteousness or defending our country from their aggression?

One could argue that the 9/11 attacks were an act of aggression and I would agree, but remember the United States was fighting before 9/11/2001 in that area of the Middle East.

Here is an interesting tidbit to tie in—who are the Amalekites?

Like the Turks, they are not Arabs making them descendants of Esau and it is well known that Haman was an Amalekite and was situated in Persia (modern-day Iran). Although it’s possible that one or several individual nations might be Amalek, it’s also possible that are scattered throughout various nations across the globe.

The above was taken from the internet under where the Amalekites are today.

According to this article, the vast majority of Iranians are Muslims, more precisely Shia Muslim, which is the official religion of the Islamic Republic.

As I close this column, please remember the 1st Commandment— “You shall have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3 (NIV)

This would include the Muslim religion!

In the next column, I will tackle the issues of the age of soldiers, the selective draft, exemptions from service, battle regulations, camp cleanliness, food trees to be spared, plunder or booty and the treatment of captives.

The above subjects are found in the Bible for each of us to follow and utilize under military laws.

May God Bless You and May You Bless God in all that you say and do!