Deuteronomy 20:1 - Meaning and Application

At this point, Israel should be seen more as a camp than as a kingdom. They were going into enemy territory and had not yet settled in their own land. Even after they settled, they would still need to defend and expand their borders, so war would remain part of their life.

For that reason, God gave them instructions for military matters. These verses show how they were to organize, lead, and arrange their forces. What stands out is that this war discipline is not harsh in spirit. Its purpose is to encourage the soldiers and make their duty easier.

Those ready to fight were first to be strengthened against fear. Moses gives a broad word of courage that the leaders and commanders were to take to heart: do not be afraid of the enemy, even if they are many and well supplied with horses and chariots. Israel should not shrink from battle or doubt the outcome.

They had two strong grounds for confidence, as long as they stayed faithful to God and their religion. First, the Lord their God was with them, so they were not in danger in the way fear made them think. Second, they had already seen God’s power and goodness when he brought them out of Egypt in spite of Pharaoh and his army. The God who rescued them from that greater enemy would not let lesser enemies undo all he had done for them.

This encouragement was to be given in a special way by a priest appointed for war, whom the Jews called the anointed of the war. That title points forward to our own anointed Redeemer, the captain of our salvation. A priest was well suited to strengthen the people, because his office included prayer for them, and the best encouragement comes from God’s promises answered through faith.

The priest was to tell them not to be afraid, because fear weakens the hand by troubling the heart. They were not to let fear take over their spirits, but to let trust in God strengthen them. He was also to tell them not to rush, neither in fear to flee nor in pride to act carelessly. The believer does not need to hurry in panic, but can wait on God’s help.

He was further to assure them that the Lord was with them, to support their just cause and give them victory over their enemies. Those who have God with them have no reason to fear. The fact that a priest gave this encouragement also suggests two things: armies should have chaplains to pray and speak to them, and Christ’s ministers should encourage believers in their spiritual fight against the world and the flesh.

Those who were not fit to fight were to be sent home. Some were excused because of their outward circumstances. If a man had built a new house and had not yet dedicated it, meaning he had not yet held the joy-filled gathering that marked its use, he was to go home and enjoy it. If a man had planted a vineyard and had not yet enjoyed its fruit, he was also to go home and use it. God was showing kindness in these ordinary things, and he was not a hard master.

If a man had become engaged and had not yet married, he was also free to return home. God did not want his wars fought by people forced against their will. They were to be willing volunteers, as Psalm 110:3 says, “Your people will be willing.” In the Christian life too, we must lay aside every weight and everything that makes us unwilling or distracted.

The Jewish writers say this freedom to return applied only to wars that Israel chose to wage, not to wars commanded by God, such as those against Amalek and the Canaanites, where every man was bound to fight. If a man’s reason for leaving was weakness or fear of heart, he was also allowed to return. Gideon used this same proclamation to thin his army, and more than two-thirds of his men went home (Judges 7:3).

Some think the fearfulness and faintheartedness here comes from the terror of a guilty conscience, which would make a man afraid to face death and danger. In that view, men with loose and wild lives were not fit to be soldiers. They would be cowards in the army and a burden to it, bringing shame and trouble to the camp. So those who knew themselves to be openly guilty were sent away.

But it seems more likely that this means simple natural fearfulness. In one sense, this was kind to those men, because they were let go and spared shame and strain. More than that, it was kind to the rest of the army, because it freed them from men who were useless in battle. It also kept fear from spreading through the ranks, which could happen very quickly.

That is why the law says, "Lest his brethren's heart fail as well as his heart." Fear spreads from one person to another, and in an army that can do great harm. We must be careful not to take on the fear of those who are afraid (Isaiah 8:12).

After all the cowards were dismissed, captains were to be chosen (Deuteronomy 20:9), because leaders and commanders needed special courage. This reform had to be made when the army was first gathered and ordered. Christ's soldiers also need courage, so they can act like men and endure hardship like good soldiers, especially the officers in his army.