Definition and Context:
Strategy, in a biblical context, refers to the planning and execution of actions to achieve a specific goal or outcome. It involves wisdom, discernment, and often divine guidance. The Bible provides numerous examples of strategic thinking, both in military and spiritual contexts, demonstrating the importance of preparation, foresight, and reliance on God.

Biblical Examples:

1. Joshua and the Battle of Jericho:
One of the most notable examples of strategy in the Bible is the Battle of Jericho. God provided Joshua with a unique strategy to conquer the city. Instead of a direct assault, the Israelites were instructed to march around the city once a day for six days, and seven times on the seventh day, followed by the blowing of trumpets and a great shout. This divine strategy led to the miraculous collapse of Jericho's walls (Joshua 6:1-20).

2. Gideon's Victory over the Midianites:
Gideon was called by God to deliver Israel from the Midianites. God instructed him to reduce his army from 32,000 to 300 men to ensure that the victory would be attributed to divine intervention rather than human strength. Gideon's strategy involved a surprise attack at night using trumpets, jars, and torches, causing confusion and panic among the Midianites (Judges 7:1-22).

3. David's Military Tactics:
King David was known for his strategic prowess in battle. He often sought God's guidance before engaging in warfare. For instance, when facing the Philistines, David inquired of the Lord and received specific instructions on how to position his troops, leading to successful outcomes (2 Samuel 5:17-25).

4. Nehemiah's Rebuilding of Jerusalem's Walls:
Nehemiah demonstrated strategic leadership in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. He assessed the situation, motivated the people, and organized the work efficiently. Nehemiah also implemented security measures to protect the workers from potential attacks, showing a blend of practical planning and reliance on God (Nehemiah 4:1-23).

Spiritual Strategy:

1. Jesus' Teachings on Counting the Cost:
Jesus emphasized the importance of strategic planning in spiritual matters. In Luke 14:28-32, He used the analogy of a builder and a king going to war to illustrate the need for careful consideration and planning in discipleship. This passage highlights the necessity of understanding the cost and commitment involved in following Christ (Luke 14:28-32).

2. Paul's Missionary Journeys:
The Apostle Paul exhibited strategic thinking in his missionary work. He targeted major cities, established churches, and trained leaders to ensure the spread of the Gospel. Paul's letters often reflect his strategic approach to ministry, addressing specific issues and providing guidance to strengthen the early Christian communities (Acts 13-28).

Principles of Biblical Strategy:

· Dependence on God:
Biblical strategy often begins with seeking God's guidance and wisdom. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."

· Wisdom and Discernment:
Effective strategy requires wisdom and discernment. James 1:5 encourages believers to ask God for wisdom, promising that it will be given generously.

· Preparation and Planning:
The Bible underscores the importance of preparation. Proverbs 21:5 states, "The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty."

· Unity and Cooperation:
Successful strategy often involves working together in unity. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 highlights the strength found in cooperation, stating, "Two are better than one... a cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

Conclusion:
While the Bible provides numerous examples of strategy, it consistently points to the necessity of aligning one's plans with God's will, emphasizing that true success comes from divine guidance and wisdom.1. (n.) The science of military command, or the science of projecting campaigns and directing great military movements; generalship.

2. (n.) The use of stratagem or artifice.

1820. exaporeo -- to be utterly at a loss, be in despair
... sum, 1820 () relates to someone (apparently) "left in the straits" (with no way
out) -- ie in "extreme exposure," without a good alternative ("no exit strategy ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1820.htm - 8k6098. etsah -- counsel, advice
... 2), counsel (52), counselor* (1), counselors* (1), counsels (1), designs (1), plan
(8), plans (2), purpose (6), scheme (1), schemes (1), strategy (1). ...
/hebrew/6098.htm - 6k

How Moses Discharged the Part of a Military Leader.
... Military Leader. Our Moses then is a prophet, a legislator, skilled in military
tactics and strategy, a politician, a philosopher. And ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xxiv how moses discharged the.htm

The Conflict with Evil
... social order. The strategy of the Kingdom of God, therefore, involves a
study of the social problem of evil. DAILY READINGS. First ...
/.../rauschenbusch/the social principles of jesus/chapter x the conflict with.htm

Joshua's Conquest.
... He is resourceful, brave, straightforward, fertile in strategy, and quick to strike
(1:10-11; 2:1 etc.). In the councils of peace he was wise and generous. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter viii joshuas conquest.htm

The Early Training of a Race.
... In the wilderness they also learned the art of nomadic warfare which, to win victories,
depended not so much upon open attack as upon strategy. ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study xi the early training.htm

A Nation's Struggle for a Home and Freedom.
... stronghold. At first the inhabitants of Jericho, accustomed to Arab strategy,
undoubtedly held themselves ready for defence. When ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study xii a nations struggle.htm

Chapter xlii
... There was a very appropriate strategy as well as psychology about this
imprisonment. The strategy involved what Dods has stated ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlii.htm

Providential Preparations for the Discovery of America --Spiritual ...
... with the New. That was high strategy in the warfare the advancement of
the kingdom of God in the earth. What possibilities, even ...
/.../a history of american christianity/chapter i providential preparations for.htm

Beyond Cincinnati
... until he came to be depended upon in every sphere of diocesan life, serving on the
Standing Committee, the Bishop and Chapter, the Board of Strategy and Finance ...
/.../herrick/frank h nelson of cincinnati/beyond cincinnati.htm

Conflicts with Giant Mistake
... One of my greatest joys is to teach pilgrims the strategy of spiritual warfare and
tell them how to overcome the Anakims of Canaan [2 Corinthians 10:4]. ...
/.../berry/adventures in the land of canaan/chapter eight conflicts with giant.htm

The Project of French Empire and Evangelization --Its Wide and ...
... that its entering at last upon enterprises of colonization and missions should be
with large forecasting of the future and with the methods of a grand strategy ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter iii the project of.htm

Strategy (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Strategy (3 Occurrences). 2 Kings 18:20 Sayest thou that
a mere word of the lips is counsel and strength for the war? ...
/s/strategy.htm - 7k

Battle (282 Occurrences)
... 1. The Political Situation 2. Joshua's Strategy 3. Joshua's Command to the Sun and
Moon 4. The Astronomical Relations of the Sun and Moon 5. The "Silence" of ...
/b/battle.htm - 55k

Bethhoron (12 Occurrences)
... 1. The Political Situation 2. Joshua's Strategy 3. Joshua's Command to the Sun and
Moon 4. The Astronomical Relations of the Sun and Moon 5. The "Silence" of ...
/b/bethhoron.htm - 30k

Beth-horon (12 Occurrences)
... 1. The Political Situation 2. Joshua's Strategy 3. Joshua's Command to the Sun and
Moon 4. The Astronomical Relations of the Sun and Moon 5. The "Silence" of ...
/b/beth-horon.htm - 30k

Warfare (18 Occurrences)
... men of war," "soldiers"; polemos, polemein, strateuesthai, stratia): 1. Religious
Significance 2. Preliminaries 3. Operations of War 4. Strategy 5. Important ...
/w/warfare.htm - 34k

War (529 Occurrences)
... men of war," "soldiers"; polemos, polemein, strateuesthai, stratia): 1. Religious
Significance 2. Preliminaries 3. Operations of War 4. Strategy 5. Important ...
/w/war.htm - 64k

Asmoneans
... But Simon, the sole survivor of the sons of Mattathias, now stepped in the breach,
foiled all the treacherous plans of Tryphon, met strategy with strategy...
/a/asmoneans.htm - 27k

Straw (21 Occurrences)

/s/straw.htm - 15k

Obedience (61 Occurrences)
... attitude toward the authorities and the great movements and religious requirements
of His day was a part of His loyalty to God, and of the strategy of His ...
/o/obedience.htm - 43k

Jael (6 Occurrences)
... deed. Some critics suggest that Sisera was not asleep when murdered, and
thus try to convert Jael's treachery into strategy. But ...
/j/jael.htm - 14k

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