What
Moses Tells Us About War
Robert
Roberg
Moses tells us the
first act of violence was when Cain killed Abel. Neither Adam, his
earthly father, nor Yahveh, his heavenly father. retaliated. In fact,
Yahveh placed a mark on Cain so that no one would retaliate against him.
After a few
centuries earth was filled with violence so God sent a flood. Only Noah
and his family survived. Yahveh made it plain that violence must not be
part of the new earth. He said people were not to be killed because
they were made in the image of God. He warned that if they broke this
command, they would set in motion a chain reaction of killings. He said
Whosever sheds man’s
blood by man shall his blood be shed. Some murderous people have
twisted this to justify Capital Punishment. It does not sanction the
taking of life it says the taking of any life is wrong and will result
only in further bloodshed.
A recurring lesson
throughout the writings of Moses is that obedience to God leads to
peace, prosperity and long life; disobedience is punished with war,
starvation, sickness and death.
Moses tells us
Abraham who was told to leave his country, and kin and move to
Palestine performed the first act of disobedience leading to war.
Abraham disobeyed and brought his Nephew, Lot, with him. This resulted
in a war, when Lot was kidnapped, and Abraham was forced to fight 5
kings to rescue him.
Moses tells us
Abraham’s second act of disobedience was to conceive a child with
Sara’s slave instead of waiting patiently for God to give him a son as
He promised. The slave son was a wild one. It says Ishmael was a wild
man whose hand was against every one. Disobedience breeds warriors not
lovers.
Moses tells us it is
an honor to be called a child of Abraham but not through the line of
Ishmael.
The honor comes
through the line of Isaac. It is Isaac who understood Yahveh's will for
people to live in peace. Three times enemies attacked him, but he never
retaliated. He always immigrated. Each time Yahveh led him to a better
land, until finally he led him to a place of great waters and peace and
prosperity.
Moses next tells us
about Jacob. Jacob was Isaac’s son who also understood Yahveh’s will
for people to live in peace. When his own daughter was raped and his
sons were calling for vengeance. He refused to retaliate.
But his sons Simeon and Levi were bent on revenge and slaughtered them
behind Jacob’s back. Jacob was furious and put a curse on these two
sons.
Moses then tells us
about Joseph who when he had a chance to retaliate against his
brothers, who hated him and sold him as a slave, showed them mercy.
The stories of
Moses all show God’s love and forgiveness. These are two
characteristics that distinguish a child of God from others.
When Moses struggled
with Pharaoh and was trapped at the Red Sea, Yahveh ordered him not to
fight but to stand still and see the power of God. God opened the sea
and when Pharaoh tried to pursue Moses, God fought against pharaoh and
destroyed Pharaoh and his army.
If there’s one thing
we learn from the stories of Moses is that the battle belongs to the
Lord alone. Vengeance is
mine says the Lord. To take vengeance is to
play God. Do not play God. Be an Isaac be a Jacob, Be a Joseph, be a
Moses.
When Moses led the
children of Israel to the borders of Palestine they were not to go in
and take the land by tooth and claw. Yahveh said he alone would send
his angel and hornets to drive out the inhabitants.
Well you know the
rest of the story, the people refused to go and their rebellion led to
poverty, sickness, death, and 40 years of wandering in the desert in
circles. It culminated in all out warfare as they were forced to take
the land and were punished with slaughtering every man, woman, boy,
girl, and infant. Do you think anyone feels proud killing a
three-year-old girl or a baby in a crib? The invasion was not God
giving them
the land it was God punishing them for their rebellion.
Someone said the
whole Old Testament is nothing but wars. For those who have eyes
to see the whole Old Testament is about how warfare is inflicted upon
nations who disobey God. From the time they invaded the land until
today the Jews have not had wealth, nor health. They have often
been enslaved and to this day are oppressed with continual warfare. Had
Moses
lived to see it he would have said “I told you this would happen if you
disobeyed.”
When Jesus came he
affirmed the teaching of Moses. He said the way to live is through hard
obedience. You must not retaliate, but turn the other cheek. You must
bless those who attack you and do good to them that hate you. You must
even love them.
Some murderous
people say that Jesus was only speaking of personal enemies and not to
the enemies of nations. They insert words into the writings that are
not there. They would have you fight in wars because they are the sons
of Satan and he is the father of all wars. Do not let them deceive you.
The sons of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses and Jesus are
peacemakers, non-violent, pacifists and lovers. They see their enemies
as unknown friends and there is no greater love than to lay down your
life for your friends; especially the one’s you haven’t known yet.
Isn’t that what Jesus did for you?
After 6000 years
only a handful of people in each generation understand and obey. For it
is a narrow path that leads to life and few there be that find it.
Jesus said. If they
will not believe Moses, they will not believe me. B if you have any questions,
please write me. yours in Christ the
Prince of Peace
|