When thou goest out to battle.
Righteous war
I. Undertaken to accomplish the purpose of God. “In the name of our God we will set up our banners.”
II. Sanctioned by the will of God.
1. God’s will is ascertained by His presence.
2. God’s will is declared by His servants.
III. Conducted by the precepts of God. (J. Wolfendale.)
Christian life a warfare
I. This warfare is against mighty enemies.
1. Great in number.
2. Terrible in equipment.
II. In this warfare right men are wanted.
1. Good leaders.
2. Good soldiers.
(1) Soldiers conscious of right.
(2) Soldiers willing to serve.
(3) Soldiers full of courage.
III. In this warfare we should not be disheartened.
1. God’s providence encourages us. “Brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.” There is constant reference to this deliverance most striking and instructive. History unfolds Divine providence; abounds with proofs of omnipotence, and pledges of help. Examples are cited to animate to fortitude and virtue.
2. God’s presence is with us. “The Lord thy God is with thee.” Not merely as commander, but “goeth with you” into the greatest danger. Not as a spectator, like Xerxes, who viewed the conflict from on high, but “to fight for you” with the determination to save you. The Lord thy God, He it is, not a common general, “that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” (J. Wolfendale.)
Be not afraid.
Fear forbidden
Israel had seen little of war, only a few brushes in their journey with inferior adversaries. Things would soon become more serious. Hence alarm and need of admonition and encouragement. All Christians are soldiers, and wage a good warfare. It is a necessary and trying warfare--continues through every season and in every condition. The forces of their enemies may be superior in number, vigilance, wisdom, and might. Hence danger of alarm and need of fortitude in the warrior. None have better grounds for courage than we; not in ourselves, for then we must fail.
I. The Divine presence: “For the Lord thy God is with thee.” Antigonus said to his troops, dismayed at the numbers of the foe,” How many do you reckon me for? But God is all-wise and almighty. “They that be with us are more than they that he with them.” “Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.”
II. His agency: “Who brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.” To a Jew, this was not only a proof, but a pledge; not only showed what He could do, but was a voucher of what He would do. He is always the same, and never suffers what He has done to be undone. Strange would it have been, after opening a passage through the sea, to have drowned them in Jordan. What would have been thought of His great name, after placing Himself at their head to lead them to Canaan, if He had suffered them to be overcome by the way? He, who begins the work, is not only able to finish, but begins it for the very purpose. “He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (W. Jay.)