Page Suggestions: Bible Facts
What does the BIBLE say about Military and War
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But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them. Numbers 1:47
3. Chaplains in Ministry: Those who were priests (today, those who would be in ministry as chaplains) were not used in combat. They were to be available as ministers to stand and pray before the Lord for the Soldiers and the battle.
4. No Women in Military Combat: No women nor children were enlisted in combat. In fact, just the opposite, the women and children were protected by the males. The decision in the past few years to allow women in combat is a very wrong decision. It is causing numerous problems in the armed forces. One recent incident has brought much shame on our men in uniform as current newscasts have reported inappropriate actions of men and women involved with male prisoners in the war in Iraq. The sexual problems that arise when men and women are mixed in stressful conditions add to the problems of military life. Sexual temptations should not be added to the list of things that men must contend with while on the battlefield. Recent charges of rape and fornication have also been reported due to the close quarters of men and women in training and combat situations.
Women are also by nature more emotional than men and should not be exposed to the rigors of military life. Certainly women can serve in supportive roles in the military (i.e., nurses, office personnel, technicians, managers, overseers, etc.) However, combat should be reserved for males only, as I can find no place in scripture that women ever served as combat Soldiers. The only mention of a woman serving in any military capacity was Deborah in the Old Testament and she served in leadership, not in combat on the front lines. She was in the war room as a judge and leader directing the plan of war and she only visited the battlefield with her field marshall, Barak. (Judges 4)
The Bible exhorts men to honor and protect women as the weaker vessel physically in 1 Peter 3:7:
Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
God made men stronger physically, therefore more able to take on hand to hand combat.
Another reason women should not be in combat, is that those with children are in danger of leaving them as orphans. God does not want children to be raised without their mothers. Small children are more dependent on their mothers and it is bad enough losing a father in war, without the loss of their mothers. In the verses below we see that David was at war with the Amalekites and his wife and children were taken captive by them. It was David and his men that rescued the women and children. The women were not combatants. The Women's Liberation movement in an effort to liberate women in certain areas that were needed, has gone "out of balance" in pushing for women to be equal with men in an area that the Bible does not condone. The Bible does not want women exposed to the rigors of war, but rather they are to be protected from it.
So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives. . . And David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away: and David rescued his two wives. And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken to them: David recovered all. 1 Samuel 30:3, 18-19
5. Exemptions to Military Duty: The Old Testament listed some reasons that males should be excused from military duty. They are as follows:
a. Those who have just moved into a new home and haven't had time to live in yet. Dedicate in the following scripture means "the first use of anything."
And the officers shall speak unto the people, saying, What man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it. Deuteronomy 20:5
b. Those that have just started a new business and have not yet had time to receive a return on it.
And what man is he that hath planted a vineyard, and hath not yet eaten of it? let him also go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man eat of it. Deuteronomy 20:6
c. Those that are engaged to be married were not to go to battle.
And what man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? let him go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man take her. Deuteronomy 20:7
d. If a man has just gotten married when war breaks out, he is not to go to war for a year.
When a man hath taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war, neither shall he be charged with any business: but he shall be free at home one year, and shall cheer up his wife which he hath taken. Deuteronomy 24:5
6. Battlefield Instructions: In the Bible there are instructions about treating prisoners humanely, not violating women and children, caring for the civilian populace, relieving wounded Soldiers, not destroying the conquered land, etc. Godly morals were to be the code in all of these instances. For example they were told to enjoy the fruit of the trees of the conquered land, but not to destroy the trees themselves. The "scorched earth" mentality comes from the devil.
When thou shalt besiege a city a long time, in making war against it to take it, thou shalt not destroy the trees thereof by forcing an ax against them: for thou mayest eat of them, and thou shalt not cut them down (for the tree of the field is man's life) to employ them in the siege. Deuteronomy 20:19
The Bible even records personal hygiene instructions on the battlefield.
You shall have a place also outside the camp to which you shall go (as a comfort station); and you shall have a paddle or shovel among your weapons, and when you sit down outside (to relieve yourself), you shall dig a hole with it, and turn back and cover up what has come from you. Deuteronomy 23:12-13 (version unknown)
(verse 12) Thou shalt have a place also without the camp, whither thou shalt go forth abroad:
(verse 13) And thou shalt have a paddle upon thy weapon; and it shall be, when thou wilt ease thyself abroad, thou shalt dig therewith, and shalt turn back and cover that which cometh from thee:Deuteronomy 23 (KJV) verses 12-13
This is also another reason women should not be on the battlefield, men do not get "caught with their pants down" as often as women when they must relieve themselves.
Mayday! Mayday! Arrowhead to base! Arrowhead to base! We have been shot up and our controls no longer have any power. I am the last surviving member. Please let my wife and children know that I love them.
Base to Arrowhead! Base to Arrowhead! Can you parachute out?
No everything has been destroyed by gunfire. Everyone on board is dead. I will not last much longer myself. Wait a minute I see someone that I do not recognize up front at the controls. He is shooting the enemy! REPEAT, he is shooting the enemy! I cannot believe it! Gunfire is coming at him through the shield ripping up everything including the seat he is sitting on.
Base to Arrowhead! What do you mean?
I am starting to pass out. I can report that the enemy has been destroyed! Yes! The enemy has been destroyed! The plane is heading down. End of transmission. [A true account of World War II air fighters witnessing angels in the fighter seats.]