Go Beyond

• Laws Relating to Crimes

19:1-10 | Regarding justice for the one who unintentionally killed another. Upon entering Canaan the Israelites were to set aside three cities to serve as sanctuaries (19:1-2, 7-9) for those who had unintentionally killed another (19:3-6). These cities of refuge would serve as a haven for an unintentional killer so that his blood would not be shed by one seeking to avenge the death (19:10).

19:11-13 | Regarding justice for the one who deliberately killed another. In such cases the elders of the city in which the slain individual lived could have the killer extradited and handed over to “the avenger of blood, that he may die” (19:12).

19:14 | This is a one-sentence law prohibiting the removal of a “neighbor’s boundary mark.”

19:15-21 | Regarding witnesses in judicial proceedings. Provision was made for sufficient witnesses to corroborate a crime (19:15) and for malicious witnesses to be punished for their attempt to subvert justice (19:16-20). Deuteronomy 19:21 deals with the law of retribution (see also Exodus 21:23-25 and Leviticus 24:17-22). Read Jesus’ words on this issue in Matthew 5:38-42.

• Laws about War

20:1-4 | These verses deal with the matter of spiritual preparation for battle. Moses understood that people going into battle must first win the battle against fear in their own hearts and minds. Moses instructed the people that before going into battle against enemies whose numbers and military might were greater than their own (20:1), the priests were to speak to the warriors (20:2) and remind them not to be afraid for three reasons (20:4).

First, “the Lord your God is the one who goes with you.” The priests were to assure the warriors of the Lord’s presence with them in battle. God never intended for them to face their battles without Him.

Second, the Lord will “fight for you against your enemies.” The priests were to remind the warriors of the participation of the Lord with them in battle. While their enemies might have superior numbers and superior provisions of horses and chariots, the Israelites had the omnipotent God fighting with them.

Third, the Lord will “save you.” The priests were to remind the warriors of the Lord’s power to protect them and give them victory in battle. The Israelites needed the Lord in battle. John Maxwell comments, “God never makes us so strong that we no longer need Him. Never.”

Refer to my notes on Deuteronomy 7:17-26 for more information on preparation for battle.

God’s presence can give us the confidence to face life’s battles. | Before going into battle, Israel’s soldiers were to be reminded that God would not only be with them but would also fight with and protect them. This knowledge gave Israel’s soldiers confidence in going into battle. We too, can be assured that God is not only present with us but will also fight with us as we face life’s battles.

20:5-9 | The officers were instructed to make certain (20:5a) that the men going into battle were not only qualified, but not subject to being distracted by personal matters (20:5b-7). Certain exemptions were granted to men who had not yet had the privilege of enjoying certain undertakings. These were allowed to return home. They were to complete their undertakings and so contribute to the stability of the land. Fearful men were exempted from going into battle because they might have a demoralizing influence on their fellow soldiers (20:8).

Read Judges 7 regarding the reduction of Gideon’s army from thirty-two thousand men to three hundred. John Maxwell noted, “Gideon and all of Israel learned that God counts hearts, not heads, when He wants a great work accomplished.”

20:10-20 | These verses address the matter of military strategy. In cases where the Israelites were engaged in battles outside the borders of Canaan (20:15), they were to offer terms of peace to the inhabitants of the city (20:10). If the peace offer were accepted then the inhabitants were to become servants of the Israelites (20:11). If the peace offer were denied then the men of the city were to be executed (20:12-13) but the women and children spared (20:14).

In the case where the Israelites were fighting against cities within Canaan, absolutely no one was to be spared (20:16-17) lest any survivors lead the Israelites spiritually astray (20:18). Deuteronomy 20:19-20 give instructions regarding the use of trees in a siege. Fruit trees were to be spared (20:19) while non fruit-bearing trees could be used to make implements of war (20:20).