Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Deuteronomy
Book: Deuteronomy
Chapter: 20
Overview:
Exhortation and proclamation respecting those who went to
War.
(1-9) Peace to be offered, What cities were to be devoted.
(10-20)
1-9 In the wars wherein
Israel engaged according to the will of
God, they might expect the Divine assistance. The
Lord was to be
their only confidence. In these respects they were types of the
Christian's warfare. Those unwilling to fight, must be sent
away. The unwillingness might arise from a
Man's outward
condition.
God would not be served
By men forced against their
will. Thy people shall be willing, Ps 110:3. In running the
Christian race, and fighting the good fight of
Faith, we must
lay aside all that would make us unwilling. If a
Man's
unwillingness
Rose from weakness and fear, he had leave to
return from the
War. The reason here given is, lest his
brethren's
Heart fail as
Well as his
Heart. We must take heed
that we fear not with the fear of them that are afraid, Isa
8:12.
10-12 The Israelites are here directed about the nations
On
whom they made
War. Let this show
God's
Grace in dealing with
sinners. He proclaims peace, and beseeches them to be
reconciled. Let it also show us our duty in dealing with our
brethren. Whoever are for
War, we must be for peace. Of the
cities given to
Israel, none of their inhabitants must be left.
Since it could not be expected that they should be cured of
their
Idolatry, they would hurt
Israel. These regulations are
not the rules of our conduct, but
Christ's
Law of
Love. The
horrors of
War must fill the feeling
Heart with anguish upon
every recollection; and are proofs of the wickedness of
Man, the
power of
Satan, and the just vengeance of
God, who thus scourges
a guilty world. But how dreadful their case who are engaged in
unequal conflict with their Maker, who will not submit to render
him the easy
Tribute of
Worship and praise! Certain ruin awaits
them. Let neither the number nor the power of the enemies of our
souls dismay us; nor let even our own weakness cause us to
tremble or to faint. The
Lord will save us; but in this
War let
none engage whose hearts are fond of the world, or afraid of the
Cross and the conflict. Care is here taken that in besieging
cities the
Fruit-trees should not be destroyed.
God is a better
friend to
Man than he is to himself; and
God's
Law consults our
interests and comforts; while our own appetites and passions,
which we indulge, are enemies to our welfare. Many of the Divine
precepts restrain us from destroying that which is for our
Life
and
Food. The Jews understand this as forbidding all wilful
waste upon any account whatsoever. Every
Creature of
God is
good; as nothing is to be refused,
So nothing is to be abused.
We may live to want what we carelessly waste.