War and Rememberance

Recently, we in Canada marked observances for 'Remembrance Day'. If you are unfamiliar with Remembrance Day, it (originally) marked the cessation of hostilities at the end of the 'Great War' (now called WWI). It has since been expanded to include the efforts and sacrifice of all of our Veterans.

What does this have to do with the theological theme of this Blog?

First, we are instructed to give 'honor to whom honor is due'. (Romans 13) Few are owed honor so much as the one who has given his life for a benefit he will not personally enjoy. The greatest example of this, naturally, is Jesus himself.

Second, there seems be some confusion on what part (if any) a Christian can, should, or ought to play in a war.

Some would say that Scripture commands that we not participate in war, and would use examples like '...who lives by the sword dies by the sword'. They also cite the commandment not to commit murder.

I will here affirm that Scripture prohibits private citizens, in such passages as these, to act as judge, jury and executioner in private disputes. This view, however fails to address passages like Romans 13 in which God delegates authority, up to and including the sword, in the course of civil governance.

(Notice how this differs from the authority invested in leadership-roles within the Church, and the difference in the role authority plays.) A person need not be aware that God is using him as His instrument for God to do so. (see Pharaoh and Nebuchadnezzar among others.)

I have no dispute with Christians who are uncomfortable with the moral implications of war, and reject war under any condition. Those having a tender conscience should be received in the manner outlined by Romans 14:1-5.

That said, Scripture laid this issue to rest when the soldiers asked John the Baptist what repentance meant to someone of their profession. The reply: do not intimidate anyone, or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages. No call to lay down arms, seek a peaceful role in army, or go AWOL.

It is a sad, hard fact that in world populated by fallen man, we will periodically have war. Here is what God had to say about it, with respect to Israel (Judges chapter 3):

1 Now these are the nations which the LORD left, that He might test Israel by them, that is, all who had not known any of the wars in Canaan 2 (this was only so that the generations of the children of Israel might be taught to know war, at least those who had not formerly known it),

This certainly runs counter to society's current measure of good/evil in terms of pleasure/pain.

As miserable a trial as war may be, God viewed it as preferable to a still greater evil. (ie: moral decay)

There is another passage of Scripture, seldom referenced, where a man's concubine was mobbed, defiled repeatedly, and left for dead. It is complex enough to warrant examination on its own, but for now, let's begin with some principles we can learn from it. (Reference: Judges Chapters 19,20)

A Levite and his concubine were accosted while overnighting in a city they chose for its perceived safety. He divided her remains, and sent her pieces by courier to each of the tribes of Israel, seeking justice for her death. (For now, let us leave aside the role he played in her death.)

Israel conferred, as a nation, and after seeking God's instruction, demanded the offenders be handed over for judgment. The tribe of Benjamin refused, and rose to the defense of the wicked. They shared in the crime by approving it, defending it, and shielding the guilty from all consequence.

Israel raised an army, they made this fight their own fight.

This is significant to those who remain aloof in "other people's" problems. They put their own lives on the line to back up what they knew was right.

They sought God's direction, and more importantly, followed it.

They did not shrink back when faced with losses. Do not assume setbacks are an indication of God being against you. Israel took a ragtag bunch of ordinary citizens, to face a group described by God's own Word as being elite-level fighters. They took the proverbial 'knife to a gunfight'.

Day one: they were turned back, 22 thousand dead. That's just day one!
Day two: Turned back again, "only" 18 thousand dead.
Day three: Victory! 30 men dead, killed 25,000 Benjamites.

(As a reference point, the Allies had roughly 2500 dead on D-Day (June 6, 1944) and the entire Battle of Normandy (D-Day through to the end of August) roughly 53,000 Allied soldiers were buried.)

They did not rejoice in their own destruction, or that of their enemies.

They fulfilled the obligation of doing what was right, even if it wasn't "their" battle, even if the work seemed futile, and even in the face of heavy losses.

More importantly, after the fighting ended, they sought to help Benjamin rebuild.

It is in light of this pattern, repeated over the centuries, I take a moment to honour the courageous and selfless throughout history who served - and died for - king and kindred, with special emphasis on my own family tree.

Perhaps it will inspire my readers to do the same.

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