신명기 Chapter 20

Translation: ESV

1

When you go out to war against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them, for the LORD your God is with you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.

Key Message

Victory in war depends on God's accompaniment, and numerical inferiority is no basis for fear.

▸God commands Israel facing war not to be afraid.

God commands Israel facing war not to be afraid. The basis for lack of fear is not military strength or weapons, but God's companionship.

Related Verses

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them,fear not, for I am with you;
5

Then the officers shall speak to the people, saying, 'Is there any man who has built a new house and has not dedicated it? Let him go back to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man dedicate it.

Key Message

Even in God's warfare, human consideration is included, and the continuity of life is treated as important.

▸In the military exemption regulation, those who have begun but not completed important life events—building a house, planting a vineyard, being engaged—could return home.

8

And the officers shall speak further to the people, and say, 'Is there any man who is fearful and fainthearted? Let him go back to his house, lest he make the heart of his fellows melt like his own.'

Key Message

The faith-based cohesion of the community is important for victory in war, and fear affects the entire community.

▸Allowing those with fearful hearts to return home is meant to protect the morale of the entire army.

10

When you draw near to a city to fight against it, offer terms of peace to it.

Key Message

War is the last resort, and peace must always be pursued first.

▸The law to first propose peace before beginning war is a principle to reduce unnecessary violence.

19

When you besiege a city for a long time, making war against it in order to take it, you shall not destroy its trees by wielding an axe against them. You may eat from them, but you shall not cut them down. Are the trees in the field human, that they should be besieged by you?

Key Message

Protecting the created world is an obligation to be upheld even during war; nature coexists with humanity.

▸The command to protect fruit trees is a principle of protecting the natural environment even during war.