Soldiers in the Bible-A Veteran’s Day Perspective

We celebrate Veteran’s Day this week; it’s a day to thank our men and women in uniform for their service to our country.  God bless you Veterans! Their enlistment oath ends with these words- “So help me God.” Thinking about our veterans led me to wonder about soldiers in the Bible.  Long before our US Armed Forces were fighting for freedom and peace, the Israelites fought for the same ideals and they too asked God for His help.

The Bible is full of accounts of battles and wars.  God directed and blessed the army of Israel through many battles.  Nations who battled without God’s blessing rarely claimed victory. But those who trusted in God and fought for legitimate reasons found His favor.

Warriors in the Bible

Probably the most well-known warriors in the Bible are Saul, Jonathan, David and his army, Samson, Gideon and Joshua.  There is also a well-known woman warrior, Deborah, who was a prominent judge, prophetess, and military leader. (Judges 4:4-16)

I’m going to take a closer look at 3 of them- David, Joshua, and Deborah.  As you read through these stories, try to identify characteristics that correlate with soldiers who serve today.

King David

David’s first battle as a soldier in God’s army began when he was a simple shepherd.  His older brothers were soldiers, and David’s father instructed him to take some food to them.  When David arrived and heard of the commotion regarding the 40-day standoff with Goliath, he volunteered to fight him.

David and Goliath

Goliath’s defiant stand against Israel’s army didn’t set well with David. God had protected David previously, and he had faith God would continue to protect him and give him a victory over Goliath.

David’s words to Goliath show us his mindset:

“You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied…” and:

“It is not by the sword or the spear that the Lord saves, for the battle is the Lord’s.” 1 Samuel 17: 45, 47 NIV.

David had experienced God’s protection before, and he used that trust and faith to defeat Goliath.  While most of the Israelites expected defeat, David chose confidence to see the situation through God’s eyes. He boldly told Goliath that God would defeat him.

David’s strength and victory came from his reliance on God.

Joshua

Joshua spent time as Moses’ assistant and eventually succeeded him as commanded by God in Numbers 27: 22-23.

He had the honor of leading the people into the promised land after Moses died.  God promised that He would be with him all the days of his life and would never leave or forsake him. (Joshua 1:5).

It was no simple job to lead and wrangle over 2 million people into the promised land and conquer it.  But Joshua had an outstanding teacher in Moses; he was well prepared.

He was a great military strategist and was faithful in asking God for direction and guidance when he faced challenges.

The Battle of Jericho

Perhaps Joshua’s most famous battle was at Jericho- a Canaanite stronghold and the Israelites first battle as they entered the Promised Land.

God comes to Joshua and tells him the battle has already been won- God would deliver the city into their hands.  God also gave them the unusual command to have the army march around the city once a day for six days straight.  The soldiers played their trumpets made of ram’s horns, and the priests carried the Ark of the Covenant, but the army was to be silent.  On the seventh day, the march continued, except at the sound of one long blast of the trumpet, the men were instructed to “Shout! For the Lord has given you the city!” (Joshua 6:16 NIV)

The Canaanite army had buttoned up Jericho’s thick walls against the Israelites.  But on Joshua’s order, a powerful roar went up and the walls of Jericho fell, allowing the army to race in and conquer the city.

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Joshua the Leader

Joshua showed a courageous faith in following the directives of God. City by city, they cleansed their Promised Land of the wicked nations.  He continually urged the Israelites to follow and worship their one true God.

Joshua was an example of an excellent military leader.  He was confident in God’s strength and followed His instructions and guidance.  In all His victories, Joshua never failed to give praise to His “commander-in-chief”- God.

“He did this so that all the people of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.” Joshua 4:24 NIV.

Joshua was a faithful follower of God who carried out instructions to the letter.  He was an influential leader who encouraged and reminded the Israelites of God’s promises.  His confidence, faith, and hope in God gave him the ability to work through the obstacles and battles in his life.

Deborah

It seems unusual to name Deborah as one of the great soldiers of the Bible.  But Deborah possessed exceptional leadership skills and had a remarkable relationship with God.  She wanted to serve Him and always gave Him the credit in her accomplishments. Deborah appears in the book of Judges as a respected, wise judge of the Israelites.  She was also a prophetess and a wife!

The Israelites were living in the Promised Land but were disregarding the commands and authority of God.  They had come under a cruel and oppressive Canaanite leader, Sisera, who had a huge, well-trained army.

Facts about Deborah the Prophetess

Deborah held court and litigated disputes among the people.  She was wise and devoted to God, and people came to her for advice and to settle arguments.  She urged the people to leave their evil ways and return to God.

With orders from God, Deborah takes charge of their oppression under Sisera.  She summons a general named Barak and tells him, “The Lord, the God of Israel, commands you: ‘Go, take with you ten thousand men… and lead the way to Mount Tabor.’” Judges 4:6 NIV.  He was to attack the mighty army of Sisera.

Barak refuses to go without her (where was he placing his trust?? Hmmm…), and Deborah agrees to accompany him.  She warns him even though he would be victorious; it was God who would give them victory.

Deborah, Barak, and the 10,000 men marched out to battle Sisera.  As they approached, Deborah gave Barak these parting words; “Go! This is the day the Lord has given Sisera into your hands.  Has not the Lord gone ahead of you?” Judges 4:14 NIV.

The Israelite army defeated Sisera’s army, and the Jews were free.  They enjoyed a peaceful forty years afterwards, turning back to God and living under the wise counsel and encouragement of Deborah.

Why Was Deborah Important?

God accomplished much through Deborah thanks to her servant’s heart towards God and his people.  She used her skills as a mediator and advisor to direct and lead at God’s direction.  She went willingly “into the battle” with her strong faith in God.

Deborah trusted God in her job, her family, and her battles!

What Does the Bible say about Being a Good Soldier?

We see in these three examples that being a good soldier requires trust and a strong faith in God.  It takes confidence in God’s strength and the ability to follow guidance and direction.  All these soldiers had a remarkably close relationship with God and gave Him the glory in the victory.

In the New Testament, Paul dispensed a lot of helpful advice to Timothy.  In 2^nd Timothy 2:3-4, Paul encouraged Timothy to carry out his ministry work while “under fire” of opposition and persecution. 

“Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.  No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs- he wants to please his commanding officer.”

Being a Soldier

Soldiers (whether for Christ or in the military) give up their civilian security to go through a course of rigorous discipline and a period of sacrifice, suffering, and following orders to gain victory.

In both cases, freedom is on the line!

Tactics may have changed since Biblical times, but the need for God’s help in the battle has not.

My son was in boot camp at a time when deployment to the Middle East war was a given.  One of the drill sergeants instructed them that if they “haven’t found religion, they better find it fast.“

It’s not exactly how I would have phrased it, but the concept is the same. I’ll paraphrase:  A good soldier needs a strong faith in God.

Veteran’s Day Scripture

We honor the service and sacrifice of those who have fought for our freedom throughout the years.  For those who have protected and served, we offer a heartfelt “thank you.”  May you feel God’s presence in your life.

Here are a few Bible verses that celebrate the spirit of the soldier across time and for our Veterans:

There is “a time for war and a time for peace.”  Ecclesiastes 3:8b NIV.

“For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”  Deuteronomy 20:4 NIV.

“Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle; He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.”  Psalm 144:1-2 NIV.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4 NKJV.

“The Lord your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.”  Zephaniah 3:1 NIV.

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13 NIV.

Our armed forces engage in a task that few can claim- to honorably serve and protect their country, including giving up their life if necessary.  To all who served, I thank you with the deepest respect.

Blessings,

AnnMarie

Would you like to read more about Deborah and Joshua?  Here are 2 posts from Cheyenne Hasty from Rosevine Cottage Girls:

Powerful Lessons from Deborah in the Bible

How the Battle of Jericho Can Help you Trust in God

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