In Peace and In War
courtesy The Covenant Message

Editor' s Note: In this month when we observe the growing losses from war, it is perhaps wise to reflect upon current conflicts in the Middle East and where these struggles are taking us. This article , which appeared in April, 1977's The Covenant Message, discusses the only true path to peace and true Israel ' s part in world matters.

To what extent should a people be prepared to defend their homes, their independence, and their freedom? It might not be necessary to ask such a question, and it would not, if the knowledge of fundamental principles of defence, as recorded in the organisation of the kingdom, were known to men. Through lack of such information men are following one or the other of two groups who advocate their particular programme for preventing war.

The pacifists head one of these groups, proclaiming that preparation for war will result in war and, therefore, are advocating complete disarmament as a means of preventing future conflicts. Then there is the extreme militaristic group, declaring that only by arming to the limit with modern equipment can a nation be assured of peace. Such display of force, they argue, will make a nation hesitate to go to war with one thus armed. Between these two extremes we have many modified forms of both schools of thought as to the way and means of preventing international conflicts.

If we were to follow either group, it would be dangerous, for neither is right. There are aggressive nations with a leadership that recognises but one principle in international relationship and activity - i.e., might makes right. If the pacifists were to have their way, liberty and freedom would soon pass away as ambitious and ruthless dictators extended their power over neighbouring states. On the other hand, to blindly follow those who advocate arming to the teeth is to lead in an armament race which is bound to bring war. It is inevitable that the stronger aggressor nation will strike before weaker opponents can become properly prepared to successfully meet that aggression.

The spirit of strife is in evidence in man's treatment of man under our present economic system of destructive competition, for business is war. Here we see the same desire and lust for power which mani fests itself in the political activities of nations. The only difference between the two is that in business, the power of finance, instead of the force of arms, is used to subject and enslave people. Today millions are enduring economic slavery. Countless multitudes are suffering from lack of the necessities of life and are living in abject poverty in the midst of plenty. When men can eliminate these domestic troubles then there may be hope of man bringing peace to a troubled world. The same spirit that creates these conditions within motivates men in their international re lationships and causes wars.

Because this spirit exists in the hearts of men, if nations were to destroy all means of modern warfare, it would not prevent war. There can be no peace for the world through armament, nor will disarmament bring such peace to our people. If it were possible to remove every form of armament, reducing all nations to a complete state of physical helplessness as far as preparation for war is concerned, it would not con tribute one iota to permanent peace. Under the new conditions thus brought about, the powerful man or nation, through muscular strength and prowess, in hand-to-hand combat would dominate and control. This would be so because it is unregenerated men and nations which cause strife, rather than the mere possession or the lack of possession of arms.

Let us not be deluded by false hopes. There will be no peace until the coming of the Prince of Peace. The Lord Jesus never taught disarmament as a means of peace, but rather peace through regeneration. In His reference to defence He said, " When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace " (Luke 11 :21 ). Regarding aggression He declared, " All they that take the sword shall perish with the sword " (Matt. 26:52). There are two swords here. The one taking the sword is the aggressor, while the other sword is held by the defender. History has amply justified this statement of Our Lord that the aggressor would ultimately go down before the sword in the hand of the defender. His advice under certain conditions was, " He that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one " (Luke 22:36 ). Thus preparedness is not an un-Christian virtue.

Selfish and evil men are incapable of giving the world an administration of justice and peace. The reason for this is because at heart they are at enmity with God and are unable to think the thoughts of peace. When men are truly regenerated, their desire is to establish the righteousness of God ' s administration, which alone can bring peace. Isaiah said, " But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked " (Isaiah 57:2).

When God gave the laws governing individual conduct and those covering the activities of His Kingdom, He set forth the requirements for national defence against aggression. It is as important to defend the Kingdom against the enemies without as it is to enforce the law against the criminal within. The principles covering our means of defence are set forth in the law and should govern our nation as well as all Anglo-Saxondom in their relation to nations around them.

Fundamental in the preparation for national defence, as set forth in the organisation of the Kingdom, was that every man twenty years old and upwards should be numbered in the militia (Num. 1:2-3). While this did not constitute a standing army, yet each man was assigned a place in the defence of the nation. There were certain exemptions from such service. The man who had just completed his home, or started a farm, or had just been married, was free from the call to service (Deut. 20).

All men are not equal, nor are they equally able to give a good account of themselves in battle. There are those who are born fighters and there are those who are not able to fight and fear physical combat. When, therefore, the men of Israel had assembled for battle, the officers were to ask if there were any who were afraid or fearful. Those who answered in the affirmative were mustered out and returned home. This assured an army of brave and fearless fighters.

The whole scheme for Israel's defence pre-supposes the enemy moving against them. They are definitely instructed not to be aggressors, but are to oppose the aggressor who comes against them. It was for this purpose God declared of Israel," Thou art My battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms" (Jer. 51 :20).

A nation can be involved in a war by indirect methods such as entering into defensive alliances. Therefore, Israel was forbidden to make any covenant with the nations around them or with their gods (Ex. 23:32 ). Such entanglements would lead to inevitable trouble.

The leaders in Israel were forbidden to multiply weapons of aggression, the possession of which would attempt ambitious men to lead the people on a war of conquest. It was only when the enemy moved against Israel that they were to move against the enemy. When Israel went out to meet their foes under such conditions, the Lord went out to meet that enemy with them.

When the nation keeps his commandments, statutes and judgments, God has promised," I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries " (Ex. 23:22). The result will be " And ye shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword, And five of you shall chase an hundred, and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight" (Lev. 26:7-8).

His Kingdom is not to win conflicts through numbers, nor are they to trust in superior armaments. They are not to fear the weapons of modern warfare possessed by their enemies, for God has promised " No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper" (Isa. 54:17).

Can we do anything to bring these blessings to our nation? Yes. They will come when our people recognise the truth and fulfil the vow made by our forefathers when they said, "All that the Lord hath spoken we will do" (Deut. 19:8), and observe and do and keep all His laws. As a nation we must administer these laws as the law of the land. We must not enter into entangling alliances with the nations around us. Our defence is in the Lord and not in an aggressive policy, encircling our potential enemies through defensive alliances with nations not of the Israel commonwealth. The nation will be delivered from her enemies and all aggression by observing and keeping the requirements laid down for our national defence. Moses clearly foretold the results that would follow:

"Happy art thou O Israel: Who is like unto thee, a people saved by Jehovah, The shield of thy help, And the sword of thy excellency! And thine enemies shall submit themselves unto thee; And thou shalt tread upon their high places."