Observations and Interpretations:
(1) War was fought with their faith in God, not with their might (chapter 20). Therefore, the smaller number of the Israel troops (compared with their enemies) should not make them be afraid v.1,3. As a matter of fact, 4 exemptions were given to men for not being drafted in the military.
4 for the LORD your God goes with you to fight on your behalf against your enemies to give you victory.”
(NAC) ...in the paring down of Gideon’s army from thirty-two thousand to three hundred men. This was done so that Israel might not boast “that her own strength has saved her” (Judg 7:2). In line with holy war, once more, it was to be clear to all observers that battles were won because of the power and presence of the Lord and not because of human prowess.
(NAC) ...in the paring down of Gideon’s army from thirty-two thousand to three hundred men. This was done so that Israel might not boast “that her own strength has saved her” (Judg 7:2). In line with holy war, once more, it was to be clear to all observers that battles were won because of the power and presence of the Lord and not because of human prowess.
Application: When you look back in your life what were some of the moments you won the batter as the small-number-army? As a small church we are humble to see that God gives us a church building. As a not-so-smart student I am humble to see that I was able to graduate with my degree. As an often-being-defeated Christian I am humble to see that God uses me in His ministry.
(2) The difference between the far-away cities and cities in the Promise Land
A. Far-away cities: e.g. Gibeonites v.10-15
Approach first with offering a peace treaty. If not being accepted, make war and kill all males. Female, children and cattle belong to the Israelites.
(BKC) The command make a city’s people an offer of peace meant to offer them a vassal treaty. In this way the city acknowledged the sovereignty of Israel’s God and of Israel. If a city became a vassal to Israel, then her people were to become forced laborers (cf. Josh. 9)
B. Cities in the Promise Land v.16-18
Total annihilate so that they cannot teach the Israelites to worship their gods
This difference is important when we understand the teach about Israel men taking foreign wives in chapter 21.
(3) 21:10-14
(BKC) 21:10–11. An Israelite was permitted to marry a beautiful woman from the captives of a particular battle. This assumes the battle in question was against one of “the cities that are at a distance” (20:15), not a city within the borders of Palestine. Therefore the prospective wife would not have been a Canaanite woman (cf. the prohibition against marrying a Canaanite man or woman, 7:1, 3–4).
If an Israelite soldier genuinely desired one of the captives he could have her only through marriage. This helped protect the dignity of the women captives and the purity of the Israelite soldiers. Israelites were not to rape, plunder, or otherwise mistreat captives as other armies of the ancient Near East did.v.12 ...She must shave her head, trim her nails, 13 discard the clothing she was wearing when captured,
(NET) This requirement for the woman to shave her head may symbolize the putting away of the old life and customs in preparation for being numbered among the people of the LORD. The same is true for the two following requirements.
(BKC) A soldier’s marriage to a foreign captive could not take place immediately. The prospective wife was first prepared psychologically for her new life as an Israelite...The other rituals mentioned may also have symbolized her mourning for cutting herself off from her former life.
14 If you are not pleased with her, then you must let her go where she pleases. You cannot in any case sell her; you must not take advantage of her, since you have already humiliated her.
(NET) let her go...referring to divorce, the matter clearly in view here (cf. Deut 22:19, 29; 24:1, 3; Jer 3:1; Mal 2:16). This passage does not have the matter of divorce as its principal objective, so it should not be understood as endorsing divorce generally. It merely makes the point that if grounds for divorce exist (see Deut 24:1–4), and then divorce ensues, the husband could in no way gain profit from it.
(NET) let her go...referring to divorce, the matter clearly in view here (cf. Deut 22:19, 29; 24:1, 3; Jer 3:1; Mal 2:16). This passage does not have the matter of divorce as its principal objective, so it should not be understood as endorsing divorce generally. It merely makes the point that if grounds for divorce exist (see Deut 24:1–4), and then divorce ensues, the husband could in no way gain profit from it.
(NET) you have already humiliated her-Since divorce was considered rejection, the wife subjected to it would “lose face” in addition to the already humiliating event of having become a wife by force (21:11–13)... The woman may not be enslaved or abused after the divorce because it would be double humiliation
(BKC) This law underscored the value of human life; it contrasted with the terrible treatment of war captives common throughout the ancient Near East.
Principle: (1) Although the foreign women could have been treated as a slave, when an Israelite man wanted to marry her she should be treated with dignity. First, he needed to wait for a month to marry her. Second, if they had a legitimate reason to divorce he could not take any advantage of her past, being a war-slave girl. He could not sell her as a slave.
(2) The men could not treat her in whatever way he wanted even she belonged to him.
Application: Our God and His words have a high view of women among other ancient Near East cultures. On the other hand, God knows very well how humans tend to take advantage of disadvantaged people. Pray that we will not take advantage of other people even though our culture may allow us to do so.
We cannot treat our children or other family members in whatever way we want. God is our master and we should obey His way.
Audrey
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