Deuteronomy 20:10 - Meaning and Application

They were here told how to deal with the cities, and the same principle likely also covered armies in the field and the nations they met in war. They were not to attack any neighboring people until they had first given fair warning, through a public statement or complaint that explained why they were fighting. Even in dealing with bitter enemies, they had to keep the laws of justice and honor. War must never begin without a cause, and that cause must be clearly stated.

A call to war was to be joined with an offer of peace, if the other side would accept fair terms. Jewish writers say this meant that the enemy would renounce idolatry, worship the God of Israel, submit as uncircumcised converts, pay yearly tribute, and accept Israel’s rule. If they agreed, the fighting was to stop, and the victors would then protect them (Deuteronomy 20:10-11). Some think even the seven nations of Canaan were given this offer of peace, though God had hardened their hearts so they would not accept it (Joshua 11:20). Others think those nations were excluded, not only from the rule that limited killing to the men (Deuteronomy 20:13), but also from this rule about offering peace first. They were to be destroyed completely, so peace could not be offered to them in the same way (Deuteronomy 7:2).

For any other nation they fought, whether to enlarge their borders, avenge wrong, or recover a right, they had to first proclaim peace. This shows God’s grace toward sinners. Though he could justly and easily destroy them, he has no pleasure in their ruin, so he announces peace and urges them to be reconciled to him. Those who are under his justice, and ready to fall under it, may yet be saved if they answer peace and submit to him. They will not only escape ruin, but be joined to his people, as fellow citizens with the saints. It also teaches us how we should deal with one another. If a dispute arises, we should be ready not only to listen to peace, but to offer it. We should never rush to legal action before first trying to settle matters fairly and without waste or hardship. We must be for peace, even when others are for war.

If the offer of peace was refused, then they were to continue with the war. Those to whom God offers peace should know this: if they reject it and fail to accept it within the set time, judgment will take its turn with mercy, just as mercy now takes its turn with judgment in delaying punishment. In that case, there was an implied promise that they would win, since the Lord their God would give the city into their hand (Deuteronomy 20:13). Any work we do under God’s command, and in his way, may be expected to succeed. If we follow God’s method, we may count on his blessing.

For the sake of public justice, they were told to put every fighting man to death. By “every male” I understand all who bore arms, as all able men then did (Deuteronomy 20:13). But they were allowed to take the spoil for themselves, including the women and children (Deuteronomy 20:14). A lawful war gives a rightful claim to what is gained in it. God himself acknowledges that title: “The Lord your God gives it to you,” and so he must be honored in it (Psalm 44:3).

The cities of Canaan were an exception to this merciful rule. In cities that were far away, some people might be left alive (Deuteronomy 20:15), because they were less likely to lead Israel into idolatry, and their land was not directly included in the promise. But in the cities given to Israel as their inheritance, no part of the old inhabitants was to remain (Deuteronomy 20:16). To allow Canaanites to share that special land would weaken the promise itself. They were also to be destroyed because there was no hope of curing their idolatry. If they were left among Israel with that deadly disease, they would endanger God’s people, who were too ready to catch it. “They will teach you to do all their abominations” (Deuteronomy 20:18), meaning they would draw Israel into their customs of worship, and little by little turn them away from the true God to false gods. Those who dare break the second commandment will not keep the first for long. Strange worship opens the door to strange gods.

Care was also taken that, when cities were besieged, fruit trees should not be destroyed (Deuteronomy 20:19-20). In those days, sieges depended on timber for battering works, not on bombs and cannon as in later times. Since people in war are often quick to act without thinking of the common good, this law plainly said that fruit trees were not to be cut down for timber. Some ancient versions read the line as a question, “Is the tree of the field a man, that it should come against you in the siege?” The sense would then be, “Do not act like a brute and pour out your anger on trees that cannot harm you.” But our translation seems to fit the purpose of the law best.

This teaches us, first, that God is a better friend to us than we are to ourselves. His law, which we are tempted to call a heavy burden, actually protects our good and comfort, while our own desires and passions, which we often indulge, are real enemies to our well-being. Many of God’s commands are meant to keep us from destroying what supports our life and food. Second, armies and commanders are not free to ruin a land however they wish. Military anger must be checked and guided by reason. War, even when carried on carefully, already brings enough destruction and should not be made worse than necessary. A generous spirit will care not only for people’s lives, but also for what sustains them, because life itself cannot last long without food. Third, the Jews understood this as a ban on all needless waste for any reason. No fruit tree was to be cut down unless it was barren and only took up space.

Some people have tried to stretch this law to mean that no one may wilfully break vessels, tear clothes, stop up wells, pull down buildings, or destroy food. They say all of that would break the command, “You shall not destroy.” Christ made sure the leftover food was gathered up, so that nothing would be wasted.

The point is clear: every creature God made is good. Since nothing is to be refused, nothing is to be abused. What we throw away carelessly may one day be something we need.