Deuteronomy 19:1-20:20

I thought the instructions on conduct in warfare very interesting today, didn't you?  How many modern armies could you see going before their troops, right before battle, and saying, "Hey, if you've got unfinished business, go home and take care if, lest you die and someone else gets to enjoy it"?  Could you see the generals of the American army saying that?  Could you see the leaders of foreign armies, those that we are currently facing, encouraging their troops to go home?  They are expected to follow commands, even if they have a baby due at home, a new wife, a farm in production, a business on the rocks, whatever it might be.  I am grateful to our soldiers, who serve both here at home and abroad, for willing following their leaders commands.  I know so many who consider it their honor and their duty to fight for their country, not just because a superior officer commands them.  Still, this practice is quite different than military strategy today.  But you can kind of see their point, right?  The officers commanded the men who were faint-hearted to go home, lest their attitude poison the morale and the spirit of the men fighting beside them.  I have never been in combat, but that is something that I hear often: that soldiers fight for the man beside them, their brother (or sister) in arms.  Perhaps in Old Testament times, to be challenged to leave the field for things at home would be considered a challenge to their honor; perhaps rather than encouraging them to go home, it would actually discourage them from abandoning their post.  (But then, I think back to Gideon's men in Judges, and how many were weeded out.  But then, again, that was to show God's might and power, not Israel's army's might and power.  So maybe not the same thing at all.)

I also appreciated that God commanded them not to cut down any trees during a siege.  It was not uncommon during a siege for the invading army to strip the land around the city bare.  It had two affects: greatly reduced the city's hope of recovery should they outlast the invading army, and the blow to the morale of the people inside, watching their land be wasted.  Sometimes it was done strategically, sometimes I'm sure it was done in malice and spite.  But God was careful to command the Israelites not to do it.  This would allow them to prosper themselves in the city when it was taken, as well as it showed respect for God's creation: after all, He reminds them that the trees are not human to make war upon them.  They are, after all, innocent.  Perhaps God is a tree-hugger after all?  (I almost feel the need to throw in a winky-smile here, but I will refrain.)

Tomorrow's Reading: Deuteronomy 21:1-22:12