A MAN OF WAR

The concept of war and warfare which is taught in the scriptures is quite a bit different than the sanitized, politically correct, human sacrifice, that has been foisted upon us by the supposed civilized governments of today. It is unconscionable in my opinion to send men into war with any other purpose than to destroy the enemy. To put men into harm’s way for political objectives is totally without merit, especially when their ability to protect themselves by the destruction of their foes is limited by “rules” which supposedly makes inhumanity humane. The concept of “limited warfare” was unknown in the age’s past.

There would be fewer wars engaged in, in the present day, if the concept of the total destruction of the enemy was considered the only justification of such action. When the LORD instructed the children of Israel to invade Jericho, they were told to destroy all of its inhabitants which they did without mercy except for Rahab and her family. “And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword.” (Josh 6:21)

The purpose of war is the destruction of one’s enemies to prevent them from being able to wage war in the future, whether it be with swords or ideas. We see this first displayed on a grand scale when the LORD who is indeed a “MAN of war” destroyed the Eqyptian army in the depths of the Red Sea. “Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea. The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone. Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.” (Exo 15:4-6) In fact the purpose of the rise of the nation of Egypt was to set Pharaoh up for this destruction that manifested the glory of the LORD as Moses testified to him in Exodus 9:16 and echoed by Paul in Romans 9:17.

The LORD is indeed a MAN of war as HE caused HIS prophet to testify, “The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: ----Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him. The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies.” (Nah 1:3-8)

We see the LORD as a MAN of War as HE:

Has undertaken the deliverance of HIS people. In the ancient times there were often men appointed as “champions” of each army which would do battle against each other as the representatives of their respective armies. The purpose was to spare the lives of the combatants on each side. Seldom did the losing side abide by the decision because to do so would be to surrender themselves to captivity, so they usually ran away. (see the account of David as he slew Goliath in I Sam.17) Our CHAMPION, the LORD JESUS CHRIST has not simply taken on one of our enemies but rather has, singlehandedly, confronted them all, for to do less would leave us undelivered. HE has gladly undertaken our complete deliverance as the angel testified to Joseph, “for HE shall save HIS people from their sins.” (Matt.1:21)

Has utterly triumphed over all of the enemies of HIS people. “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” (Col 2:13-15). HE has completely annihilated those who are the enemies of HIS people and therefore HIS own enemies. Those enemies of HIS people which HE has destroyed are:

1. The penalty of sin. The law of GOD did indeed demand that the “soul that sinneth shall die.”Yet HE did cancel the penalty of sin for HIS children by the shedding of HIS own blood. HE has justified HIS people, who now stand before GOD as those who have never sinned. They are that bride which is without spot or wrinkle. (see Eph.5:27)
2. The demands of the law. HE has cancelled those demands in the behalf of HIS people, which is the handwriting of ordinances. HE has fulfilled the law in its jot and tittle and we are free from it. (see Rom. 8:1,2)
3. The accusers of GOD’s people. If GOD be for us who can be against us. HE has totally destroyed any grounds upon which any accusation can be brought against HIS own.
4. The guilt and condemnation of conscience. It is through the gift of faith to HIS own children that HE gives them grace to look upon that sacrifice which HE has made which has indeed taken away sin. A thing which no other sacrifice could ever do for in the offering up of lambs and bulls under the Mosaic law, no sin was ever taken away, for there was nothing in those sacrifices but a reminder of sin. “For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”(Heb 9:13-14) “For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.”(1John 3:20)
5. Death and the grave. HE has already accomplished total mastery of death in HIS own resurrection, without which we would have no hope at all. Yet it has pleased HIM to allow death to linger with us in this world lest we be lifted up with pride in these fleshly bodies. Yet the truth is that the “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.”(1Cor 15:26) Its total demise hangs over its head like the sword of Damocles, but it has no power to destroy the sons of GOD, whose flesh may tremble at its thought. CHRIST worketh in HIS people through the unfolding of their own resurrection to testify with Paul. “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? ------ But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”(1Cor. 15:55-57)

Is a stronghold and comfort to HIS people as a result of HIS absolute triumph. Even as HE utterly destroyed the Egyptians, HE did so to manifest HIS abiding love for the nation of Israel. (see Ex.15:13). In like fashion HE has emerged a VICTOR in order to give HIS people sustenance and help. “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted.” (Heb 2:14-18)

In HIS conquest HE has established HIS own kingdom which shall know no end. “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever.--- We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.” (Rev 11:15-17)