war and the Bible

• Israelite wars

  By God’s command, the Israelites were to take possession of the Promised Land by conquest, thoroughly cleansing all wicked idolaters from the land of God’s people.

  The Israelite conquest of this land held by Canaanite tribes was led by Joshua and lasted a long time (Joshua 11:18)—about 7 years.

  “God turned the Canaanites’ hearts to fight [Joshua 11:20] in order that Israel might be His judging instrument to destroy them. They were willfully guilty of rejecting the true God with consequent great wickedness and were as unfit to remain in the land as vomit spewed out of the mouth (Leviticus 18:24-25).” —Dr. John MacArthur, The MacArthur Study Bible

  Except in the case of Jericho and Ai, the war did not become aggressive till after the death of God’s man Joshua. Till then the attack was always first made by the Canaanites. Now the measure of the iniquity of the Canaanites was full, and Israel was employed by God to sweep them away from off the face of the Earth.

  In entering on this new stage of the war, the tribe of Judah, according to Divine direction, took the lead.

  In the days of King Saul and King David the people of Israel engaged in many wars with the nations around, and after the division of the kingdom into two they often warred with each other. They had to defend themselves also against the inroads of the Egyptians, the Assyrians, and the Babylonians. The whole history of Israel from first to last presents but few periods of peace.

  Links related to Biblical wars

  • The Book of the Wars of the Lord
  • What military weapons are mentioned in the Bible
  • What is a biblical sling? and how was it used?
  • Armor in the Bible
  • Helmets
  • About swords in the Bible
  • Answers about javelins, spears and lances and the Bible
  • Answers about armories in the Bible
  • How did humanity fall into evil and depravity? What were the results?
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  What is sin and wickedness? Is it just “bad people” that are sinners, or are YOU a sinner?

  • What is the “fury” of God?
  • The fear of the Lord—What is it? Why is it very important?
  • What is the sovereignty of God?
  • What is the justice of God?
  • What are judgments of God in the Bible?
  • What is holiness, and why are we to pursue it?
  • What is the Final Judgment? and What do I need to know about it?
  • What is the love of God?—including answer to the question: Is it really true that God hates the sin, but loves the sinner?

• War is referred to by God under the idea of hunting and fishing.

  “Behold, I am going to send for many fishermen,” declares Yahweh, “and they will fish for them; and afterwards I will send for many hunters, and they will hunt them from every mountain and every hill and from the crevices of the rocks.” —Jeremiah 16:16 LSB

• Spiritual warfare

  THE CHRISTIAN LIFE is represented as a warfare, and the Christian graces are also represented under the figure of pieces of armor (Ephesians 6:11-17; 1 Thess. 5:8; 2 Tim. 2:3-4). The final blessedness of believers is attained as the fruit of victory (Rev. 3:21).

• Christianity and wars

  • What is the Biblical perspective on war? Answer

  • “Religion has caused more wars than anything else in history.” Response

  • Wars and the Bible
  “Does Christianity Cause Wars?”

  Ray Comfort and Mark Spence
  Display text »

  Mark Spence: “Some skeptics say Christianity has caused more wars than anything else in history. They paint a picture of Christians as the most murderous group of people, and somehow this objection is supposed to discredit the claims of Christ and debunk the Bible in one single jab.

  Now I certainly agree that man has used ‘religion’ for political gain. But then again, sinful man has used everything under the sun for political gain. Just because a politician or a military leader uses the name of God to further his agenda, does not mean God approves.

  In John 16, Jesus tells us that there will be some who will murder in the name of God. He says, “The hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God.” John 16 goes on to say, “They will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor Me.”

  These are not true Christians. The Bible explains that hypocrites and deceivers will always be in and around the Christian church until God punishes them on the Day of Judgment. Jesus told His followers to love their enemies. So if a man puts a knife into someone’s back in the name of Christianity, something obviously isn’t right. Let’s not forget that the Bible tells us all murderers, including those who have had murderous thoughts in their hearts, will not make it to Heaven. Following the teachings of the Bible will not lead you to start a war.

  In fact, it’s the Bible that teaches us to be at peace with all men.”

  Video by Living Waters, a Christian Answers Team Member

  Length: 2 minutes