Deu 20:15 | KingComments | STEP | In the preceding verses, we have seen the preparations for the battle. From onwards we have the actual battle. Yet the battle does not immediately ensue. The first thing to do is to offer peace to a city that one wants to conquer. Listening to this results in a covenant relationship. In this way what has been in the realm of the world is brought into the realm of God’s people and put into their service. Not all cities submit so quickly. In instances of resistance, judgment must be exercised. The full counsel of God is also contained in the proclamation of the gospel. When that truth is presented, we often encounter resistance. That resistance must be done away with. This is necessary, so that others can be won. The passage puts it in stark terms: the men (actioning resistance) are killed, the women (who submit) remain alive. In the life of the believer there are different kinds of fights. We must distinguish between our fight and God’s fight. Our fight stems from the fact that sin still dwells within us ( ). This fight often prevents us from fighting God’s fight. If the flesh is kept down, we can put on the full armor of God and fight God’s fight ( ). This battle is fought in propagating, proclaiming and defending what God has entrusted to us. Thus Paul can say that he fought the good fight ( ). That is the God-given battle delivered to him: the gospel of peace. ‘Battle’ and ‘service’ are the same word in Hebrew. The proclamation of the Word is Levitical service and it is also battle. We are obligated to go out in that service. God sees the people as in the land. Similarly, He sees the Christian as seated in Christ in the heavenly places. From that established position, in full awareness thereof, we may proclaim God’s truth.

‏ Deuteronomy 20:15

The Offer of Peace

In the preceding verses, we have seen the preparations for the battle. From Deu 20:10 onwards we have the actual battle. Yet the battle does not immediately ensue. The first thing to do is to offer peace to a city that one wants to conquer. Listening to this results in a covenant relationship. In this way what has been in the realm of the world is brought into the realm of God’s people and put into their service. Not all cities submit so quickly. In instances of resistance, judgment must be exercised.

The full counsel of God is also contained in the proclamation of the gospel. When that truth is presented, we often encounter resistance. That resistance must be done away with. This is necessary, so that others can be won. The passage puts it in stark terms: the men (actioning resistance) are killed, the women (who submit) remain alive.

In the life of the believer there are different kinds of fights. We must distinguish between our fight and God’s fight. Our fight stems from the fact that sin still dwells within us (Gal 5:17). This fight often prevents us from fighting God’s fight.

If the flesh is kept down, we can put on the full armor of God and fight God’s fight (Eph 6:12-13). This battle is fought in propagating, proclaiming and defending what God has entrusted to us. Thus Paul can say that he fought the good fight (2Tim 4:7). That is the God-given battle delivered to him: the gospel of peace.

‘Battle’ and ‘service’ are the same word in Hebrew. The proclamation of the Word is Levitical service and it is also battle. We are obligated to go out in that service. God sees the people as in the land. Similarly, He sees the Christian as seated in Christ in the heavenly places. From that established position, in full awareness thereof, we may proclaim God’s truth.