Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Hi there, dear people.

Since Becki is so tied down with these little boys, I suppose I’ll soon strike out alone for a jog with this dog…and hope he gets run over. Not really. But he sure is a handful. He is clearly trainable…but he’s so thick-headed that you need be prepared with strong disciplines to get his attention and keep him in line. He really is very good with the little boys. And he’s learning some manners…for example, curtailing his bad habit of jumping up on everyone he meets.

Phooey…I see that the rain has returned. I guess it won’t be a dry run.

May your day not be a dry run…productive of godly adventure…pleasing Him. Who said it was supposed to be “a piece of cake?”

Love, Dad/Ray.

I have to admit that there are questions arising within me over the appearance of discrepancies within some of the decrees Moses is presenting to Israel. But rather than to take (or waste) time in trying to get them all figured out, perhaps it is safest to glean some underlying principles from the record. After all, according to Paul, many of these specific laws were presented exclusively to ancient Israel, and the historical account is recorded and preserved to serve as principle guidelines for us today. “Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did…These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!” (1 Corinthians 10:1-13).

It’s interesting to note that Israeli warriors were to be exempted from battle under four conditions (20:5-9): (1) If “anyone has built a new house and not dedicated it.” (2) If “anyone planted a vineyard and not begun to enjoy it.” (3) If anyone had “become pledged to a woman and not married her.” (4) If anyone was “chicken” (my own selection of a synonym) or was “afraid or fainthearted.” This would be one who was simply unable to embrace the psychological imperative of the priest who addresses the troops before battle—“Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them” (20:3). The obvious point is that fear, because it is so performance-altering and contagious, presents a more dangerous enemy than the enemy does.

Here are a few bottom-line principles that I see: (1) The work of the LORD includes warfare (20:1). There are enemies out there who are against God and you (Ephesians 6:12). (2) Victory is promised (20:4) with the help of the LORD (1 Corinthians 15:57). (3) There will still be casualties—“…he may die in battle.” But that’s really no big deal for the child of God (Philippians 1:21).

Just remember what Jesus said—“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28). So, don’t even be afraid of fear, just make sure it’s headed in the right direction.