Introduction:
The concept of going to war is a significant theme throughout the Bible, reflecting both the physical battles faced by the Israelites and the spiritual warfare encountered by believers. The Bible provides numerous accounts and teachings on warfare, offering insights into the reasons for war, the conduct of warriors, and the divine involvement in battles.

Old Testament Context:
In the Old Testament, war is often depicted as a means by which God executes judgment, delivers His people, or fulfills His promises. The Israelites, under divine command, engaged in battles to conquer the Promised Land and defend their nation.

1. Divine Command and Guidance:
· God often commanded the Israelites to go to war, providing specific instructions and assurances of His presence. In Deuteronomy 20:1, the Israelites are reminded, "When you go out to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army larger than yours, do not be afraid of them, for the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you."

2. Holy War and the Ban (Herem):
· Certain wars were considered "holy wars," where the Israelites were instructed to completely destroy their enemies as an act of divine judgment. In 1 Samuel 15:3, God commands Saul, "Now go and strike down Amalek and devote to destruction all that they have. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys."

3. Preparation and Conduct:
· The Israelites were instructed to prepare for war with both physical readiness and spiritual purity. In Deuteronomy 23:9, it is stated, "When you are encamped against your enemies, then keep yourself from every wicked thing."

New Testament Context:
The New Testament shifts the focus from physical warfare to spiritual warfare, emphasizing the battle against sin, evil, and spiritual forces.

1. Spiritual Warfare:
· Believers are called to engage in spiritual warfare, using spiritual armor and weapons. Ephesians 6:11-12 instructs, "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

2. Peace and Reconciliation:
· The New Testament emphasizes peace and reconciliation, with Jesus teaching love for enemies and the pursuit of peace. In Matthew 5:9, Jesus declares, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God."

Theological Reflections:
The Bible presents a complex view of war, acknowledging its necessity in certain contexts while also pointing towards a future where peace will reign. The ultimate hope for believers is the establishment of God's kingdom, where war will cease, as prophesied in Isaiah 2:4, "He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore."

Conclusion:
While the Bible provides guidance on going to war, it also calls believers to a higher standard of spiritual warfare and the pursuit of peace, reflecting the transformative power of the Gospel in the lives of individuals and nations.Ecclesiastes 3:8
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
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James 4:1-2
From where come wars and fights among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
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Matthew 24:6
And you shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that you be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
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Exodus 20:13
You shall not kill.
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1 Timothy 2:1-2
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
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Revelation 19:11-21
And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he does judge and make war.
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935. bo -- to come in, come, go in, go
... 2), give (1), go (147), go through (1), go* (2), goes (17), going (8), gone (7 ... try),
be fallen, fetch, + follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, + have ...
/hebrew/935.htm - 8k

Cestius Sends Neopolitanus the Tribune to See in what Condition ...
... in servitude. Consider now the several cases that may be supposed, how
little occasion there is for your going to war. Your first ...
/.../chapter 16 cestius sends neopolitanus.htm

A Description of the Roman Armies and Roman Camps and of Other ...
... this, they are gone out of their camp, they all march without noise, and in a decent
manner, and every one keeps his own rank, as if they were going to war. ...
/.../chapter 5 a description of.htm

There were Three Factions in this City. The First was Composed of ...
... But as for Justus, the son of Pistus, who was the head of the third faction, although
he pretended to be doubtful about going to war, yet was he really ...
/.../josephus/the life of flavius josephus/section 9 there were three.htm

Letter Lviii to the Duchess of Lorraine
... salute the Duke, your husband, through your mouth, and I venture to urge him and
you both, if you know that the castle for which you are going to war does not ...
/.../letter lviii to the duchess.htm

The victory of Unarmed Faith
... If we are really going to war for Him, and in His strength, we ought to expect
to conquer. Believe that you will be beaten, and you will be. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the victory of unarmed faith.htm

War! War! War!
... Peace with error is war with man: but war with error is peace with man. ... You are not
going to fight in person; you are paying, to keep a substitute to fight for ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/war war war.htm

Psalm CXLIV.
... With these "fingers" then the Body of Christ fighteth, going forth to "war," going
forth to "battle."...By works of Mercy our enemy is conquered, and we could ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxliv.htm

That it is not Lawful for the Well Affected Subjects to Concur in ...
... say, that it is not lawful for the parliament to associate in war with the ... Can their
going before me in the transgression, exempt me from the transgression of ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section iv that it is.htm

The War in Heaven.
... "And a war took place ... Under the first seal, they are represented by a mounted warrior,
with bow and crown, going forth conquering and to conquer, 6:2. See p.58 ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the war in heaven.htm

To the Eight of War Chosen by the Commune of Florence, at Whose ...
... you to true humiliation of your hearts; not looking back, but going forward, following
up ... yourselves to show in word and deed that you wish peace and not war. ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to the eight of war.htm

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