Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy 20: God goes with His people

Begin in prayer

Before hearing the laws for Israel’s battles, let us look beyond human strength to the LORD. Ask Him to teach our family reverence for His judgment and faith in His saving power.

A horse is a vain thing for safety, neither does he deliver any by his great power.

Psalm 33:17

Father in heaven, Your power is greater than every army and every threat. Help us hear these commands with reverence and understand the seriousness of Your judgment. Show our family the victory of Christ and teach us to trust Him. Please open our eyes as we read Your Word, make us more like Christ, and bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Israel must face larger armies without fear because the LORD who rescued them goes with them. Officers must release men with unfinished household commitments and those whose fear would discourage others. Distant cities must first receive an offer of peace involving forced service. If they refuse and are conquered, every male must be killed, while women, children, and possessions become plunder. In the nations of the promised inheritance, nothing that breathes may be spared, lest their worship teach Israel to sin. Fruit trees must be preserved during a siege, while other trees may supply its works.

As you read Deuteronomy 20, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God goes with His people to save them and governs their conduct in war.

Israel's enemies would come with horses, chariots and more people than Israel (verse 1). Before the battle a priest reminds the people that the God who brought them out of Egypt goes with them (verse 4). Their courage rests on Him, so a man who is afraid is sent home before his fear spreads (verse 8). A man with a new house, a new vineyard or a bride not yet married also goes home (verses 5 to 7). Cities far away must first be offered peace (verse 10). But the nations of the land itself must be destroyed, so they do not teach Israel their detestable worship (verses 16 to 18). This was God's own judgment on their sin, given to Israel for that time and place. The LORD who fought for Israel sent His Son to win the greater battle against sin and death on the cross.

How does Deuteronomy 20 show us that God goes with His people to save them and governs their conduct in war?

God’s presence gives courage.

Israel will see horses, chariots, and an enemy people more numerous than themselves. The priest must remind them that their rescuing God goes with them. His saving power gives them reason to face the battle without fear.

God’s commands govern the battle.

An offer of peace must precede an attack on a distant city. God commands complete destruction of the nations within Israel’s inheritance. Their detestable worship must never become Israel’s instruction.

God places limits on destruction.

An army may need timber while laying siege to a city. Trees that provide food must be spared for their fruit. Other trees may be cut to build the siege works.

Memorise

for Yahweh your God is he who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.

Deuteronomy 20:4

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what human strength am I trusting more than God?

The priest declares that the LORD goes with Israel “to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.” Victory depends on His presence and power. These severe judgments also show the ruin that sin deserves.

Jesus entered the struggle against sin and death by giving Himself for His people. At the cross He bore their punishment and broke the power of death. He rose victorious, and His completed work is enough to save anyone who trusts Him.

Turn from confidence in yourself and come to Him. Those who believe in Him are forgiven. The living Lord goes with His people, and His victory is theirs.

Parent's note

Tell your children that these commands governed Israel’s wars under God’s authority, and explain the deaths without graphic detail. Preserve the difference between distant cities and the nations within Israel’s inheritance. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Praise God’s saving power, and bring your misplaced confidence from the heart question before Him. Every child can pray, so welcome each one’s request for courage.

So that with good courage we say, “The Lord is my helper. I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

Hebrews 13:6

Father in heaven, we confess how easily visible strength captures our trust. Lead us to Jesus, who conquered sin and death through His sufficient sacrifice. Teach those who belong to Him courage rooted in Your presence, and help our family receive Your commands with reverence. In Jesus' name, Amen.