Deutéronome - Caput 20

Deutéronome 20.1 si exieris ad bellum contra hostes tuos et videris equitatum et currus et maiorem quam tu habes adversarii exercitus multitudinem non timebis eos quia Dominus Deus tuus tecum est qui eduxit te de terra Aegypti Deutéronome 20.2 adpropinquante autem iam proelio stabit sacerdos ante aciem et sic loquetur ad populum Deutéronome 20.3 audi Israhel vos hodie contra inimicos vestros pugnam committitis non pertimescat cor vestrum nolite metuere nolite cedere nec formidetis eos Deutéronome 20.4 quia Dominus Deus vester in medio vestri est et pro vobis contra adversarios dimicabit ut eruat vos de periculo Deutéronome 20.5 duces quoque per singulas turmas audiente exercitu proclamabunt quis est homo qui aedificavit domum novam et non dedicavit eam vadat et revertatur in domum suam ne forte moriatur in bello et alius dedicet illam Deutéronome 20.6 quis est homo qui plantavit vineam et necdum eam fecit esse communem et de qua vesci omnibus liceat vadat et revertatur in domum suam ne forte moriatur in bello et alius homo eius fungatur officio Deutéronome 20.7 quis est homo qui despondit uxorem et non accepit eam vadat et revertatur in domum suam ne forte moriatur in bello et alius homo accipiat eam Deutéronome 20.8 his dictis addent reliqua et loquentur ad populum quis est homo formidolosus et corde pavido vadat et revertatur in domum suam ne pavere faciat corda fratrum suorum sicut ipse timore perterritus est Deutéronome 20.9 cumque siluerint exercitus duces et finem loquendi fecerint unusquisque suos ad bellandum cuneos praeparabit Deutéronome 20.10 si quando accesseris ad expugnandam civitatem offeres ei primum pacem Deutéronome 20.11 si receperit et aperuerit tibi portas cunctus populus qui in ea est salvabitur et serviet tibi sub tributo Deutéronome 20.12 sin autem foedus inire noluerint et receperint contra te bellum obpugnabis eam Deutéronome 20.13 cumque tradiderit Dominus Deus tuus illam in manu tua percuties omne quod in ea generis masculini est in ore gladii Deutéronome 20.14 absque mulieribus et infantibus iumentis et ceteris quae in civitate sunt omnem praedam exercitui divides et comedes de spoliis hostium tuorum quae Dominus Deus tuus dederit tibi Deutéronome 20.15 sic facies cunctis civitatibus quae a te procul valde sunt et non sunt de his urbibus quas in possessionem accepturus es Deutéronome 20.16 de his autem civitatibus quae dabuntur tibi nullum omnino permittes vivere Deutéronome 20.17 sed interficies in ore gladii Hettheum videlicet et Amorreum et Chananeum Ferezeum et Eveum et Iebuseum sicut praecepit tibi Dominus Deus tuus Deutéronome 20.18 ne forte doceant vos facere cunctas abominationes quas ipsi operati sunt diis suis et peccetis in Dominum Deum vestrum Deutéronome 20.19 quando obsederis civitatem multo tempore et munitionibus circumdederis ut expugnes eam non succides arbores de quibus vesci potest nec securibus per circuitum debes vastare regionem quoniam lignum est et non homo nec potest bellantium contra te augere numerum Deutéronome 20.20 si qua autem ligna non sunt pomifera sed agrestia et in ceteros apta usus succide et extrue machinas donec capias civitatem quae contra te dimicat

Deutéronome : Caput 20

The Laws of War According to Deuteronomy 20

Chapter 20 of the book of Deuteronomy offers us a divine perspective on how to conduct ourselves during conflict. How does God guide Israel in its struggles? This sacred text provides us with valuable guidelines for war, including pre-battle encouragement and exemptions from military service for those who need it.

Encouragement and Exemptions

This chapter also addresses the treatment of enemy cities and the preservation of resources, such as fruit trees. Deuteronomy 20 seeks to balance the need for defense with the principles of mercy and stewardship. As we deepen our understanding, we will discover together five biblical passages that shed light on the ethical principles of this delicate chapter.

Enlightening Bible Passages

1 Samuel 17:45: "But David said to the Philistine, 'You come against me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.'" This verse illustrates trust in God in battle, a central theme in Deuteronomy 20:1-4.

2 Chronicles 20:15: "He said, 'Listen, all you inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says to you: Do not be afraid or dismayed because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's.'" This passage resonates with the encouragement of Deuteronomy 20:3-4, reminding us that God fights for His people.

Luke 14:31-32: "Or what king, intending to make war against another king, does not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, then, while the other is still a long way off, he will send a delegation and ask for a peace agreement." Jesus here alludes to military considerations, integrating the principles of Deuteronomy 20 into the analogy of the cost of discipleship.

2 Timothy 2:4: "No soldier meddles with civilian matters, wanting to please the one who enlisted him." The apostle Paul uses a military analogy to illustrate the dedication required in Christian service, resonating with the laws of war found in Deuteronomy 20.

Revelation 19:11: "I saw heaven opened, and before me a white horse, whose rider was called Faithful and True. In righteousness he judges and wages war." This vision of Christ as a divine warrior echoes the image of God as a warrior in Deuteronomy 20:4, reminding us that God's warfare is just and wise.

Conclusion

In sum, Deuteronomy chapter 20 invites us to reflect on our own conduct in conflict, while reminding us that faith in God is our strength and guide. May these biblical passages strengthen and enlighten us in our trials, and remind us that we are never alone in our struggles.