Deuteronômio 20

Deuteronômio 20

Morgan - Life Applications from Every Chapter of the Bible - The officers shall speak unto the people saying . . .Deut 20.5 These words introduce a paragraph, and they are chosen to draw attention to it. Let us first note the whole chapter. It contains that section of this discourse of Moses in which most particular instructions were given for the guidance of the people in the wars which they must inevitably be engaged in. They were being led, not merely to find a land for their own possession, but as a scourge of God against a corrupt and corrupting people. They were charged, first, that in the day of battle they must keep before them the vision of God, for that alone would free them from fear in the presence of the foe. Before actual conflict the priest was authoritatively to announce the fact of the presence, and authority, and power of God. Then we read our words, and the connected paragraph. It has to do with the grounds upon which men were to be exempt from military service. First, men who had duties and obligations, the fulfilment of which were necessary to the home-life of the nation were not to go to war. Men who had unfinished houses, ungathered vineyards, and men newly married, were to remain at home, at least until such times as they had discharged their obligations. Then also, men who lacked courage were to remain behind, because fear is contagious. It is impossible to read all this in view of much modern history without furious thinking! At least, we are driven to the conclusion that armies thus sifted would have a quality that is lacking entirely when they are made up of all sorts and conditions. Deuteronomy 20:6 'Who is the man that has planted a vineyard and has not begun to use its fruit? Let him depart and return to his house, otherwise he might die in the battle and another man would begin to use its fruit. not begun to use its fruit, De 28:1-30:20 Lev 19:23-25 Jer 31:5 die: Isa 65:22 Zep 1:13 Deuteronomy 19 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries SECOND EXEMPTION PLANTING A VINEYARD Who is the man that has planted a vineyard and has not begun to use its fruit? Let him depart and return to his house, otherwise he might die in the battle and another man would begin to use its fruit - Note that the phase might die in battle seems to imply that Israel while victorious would not be invincible and some would die. It is also interesting that a vine planted might take up to five years to yield fruit (Lev. 19:23–25).) so this could be a lengthy exemption. Brown writes, "For the first three years there would be no fruit on the vine and in the fourth year its fruit must be offered to the Lord. So, until the fifth year its owner has not begun to enjoy its fruit. If he lost his life in the conflict, another person might easily take his property and just at the time when he and his family were likely to benefit personally from it. What then would happen to his wife and children who relied upon its produce for their income?". The issue of maturity appears here also. Coates states, "There would be a certain immaturity about a man who had not eaten of his vineyard; he had not tasted the joy of the inheritance as a fruit of his own cultivation of it".