Deuteronomy 20

Review & Intro: In Chapter 19, we looked at the cities of refuge that the Lord told Moses to have Israel set up for the manslayer to flee to for protection from the blood avenger. We saw how this could be us needing protection from the enemy who wants to kill us for he came to kill and destroy while Jesus, our Refuge, came to give us life abundantly (John 10:10) and He is our refuge. Amen. ... In Chapter 20, the Lord is preparing them through Moses for the battles that are coming as they possess the land of promise. We are in a battle with the enemy daily and so we can learn alot from this as well for our spiritual lives. Deuteronomy Chapter 20 - Observation Questions 1. What are the Israelites "not" to be afraid of when they "see" them? vs. 1 Their enmies Just ad we are not to be afraid to stand for Christ today. 2. How can they not fear them? vs. 1 Because the Lord God was with them just as he is with us today. 3. Do you have things in your life that seem to overpower you; that are larger than life it seems? What can you do to not fear these things as well? There are so many verses we could look at, but let's look at a few and please comment on the verses below: 2 Corinthians 5:7 - Romans 4:17 - Hebrews 11:1 - Matthew 6:34 - 1 Peter 5:7 - Ephesians 6:13 - Ephesians 6:17 - Hebrews 4:12 - 2 Corinthians 10:5 - Philippians 4:6,7 - Philippians 4:8,9 - 4. Back to Deuteronomy 20. What 4 things did the priest tell the Israelite soldiers "not" to do? vs. 2,3 Faint hearted afraid Terrfied or panic 5. Who would actually fight their enemies for them and save them? vs. 4 God 6. Back to Deuteronomy 20. ... The officers spoke to the soldiers and had several groups "return home". Who needed to go back home and not to war? Comment on the verses below stating who was to leave the battleline and why. vs. 5 - anyone that is building a house vs. 6 - He that had planted a vinyard vs. 7 Any of them that were to get married 7. What did Jesus say to those who were preoccupied with other things when they also wanted to "add" Christianity to their lives? Comment on the following verse. Luke 9:23-26 - We are to daily commit our lives to the Lord daily. We sometimes just want to think of ourseves and what we want,but God says to deny ouseves this means to not worry about ouslves because God already has us in his hands. we are to do what is His will and not be ashamed of being a child of God if we are then he will be ashamed of us . Luke 9:57-62 - We have no ecuses for not following God accemted that we chose not to . Note: Following Jesus is a fulltime call to a fulltime Commander and Chief. it is a call to war against the flesh and against the powers of darkness for His kingdom sake. Are you a fulltime soldier? 8. What did Paul tell Timothy? 2 Timothy 2:3,4 - The only one that we have to please in this life is our Heavenly Father. But I am guilty of trying to please everyone but Him sometime. 2 timithy 2:3-4- Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus 4 No one serving as a soldier gets involed in civilian affais-he wants to please his commanding offier. 9. What is our war with? Comment on the following verses: 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 - the unbelievers of this world 1 John 2:16 - Galatians 5:17 - Ephesians 6:12 - 1 Peter 5:8 - John 10:10 - 10. Back to Deuteronomy 20. There was another group of men who needed to get out of the battle. Explain who they were and why they should leave. vs. 8 - Afrard or fainthearted so the would not dishearting their brethen. 11. How important is it that we not make other's hearts afraid but that we give them hope and courage? very importaint How important are our words as well as our actions in helping one another stand firm in spiritual warfare? Comment on the following verses: 1 Thessalonians 5:11 - Hebrews 3:13 - Proverbs 18:21 - 12. On the other side of the coin, how are we to "help" the "fainthearted" among us in the battles of life? 1 Thessalonians 5:14 - 2 Thessalonians 2:17 - 2 Thessalonians 3:3 - Hebrews 12:12 - James 5:8 - Revelation 3:2 - Note: Have you heard that saying "One plus God is the majority"? That is true. Remember the story of Gideon? Take time to read the entire chapter of Judges 7 and encourage yourself with how God brought the army low in number so that He would have the ones that had faith and not fear to meet the enemies. What does He say in Judges 7:3 and Judges 7:7? .... Turn to 1 Samuel 14:6 and record what Jonathan told his armor bearer about the Lord and battles. ........It is not about "how many", but "how dedicated and how believing in the Lord they are" ... Amen? 13. Back to Deuteronomy 20. ... When the priest and the officers had cleared out those concerned about other matters and the ones that were "fainthearted", the ready-to-go warriors remained. Out of these, they appointed "commanders" of armies at the head of the people (vs.9) ... What was the first thing the commander was to offer a city when they approached it? vs. 10 peace 14. If the city agreed to make peace with them, they would become forced labor and serve with them. (vs.11) ... What were they to do, however, if the city refused to make peace with them, but rose up in war? vs.12 Destroy them 15. Who were they to strike in the city? vs. 13 ...The men.. Who were they to keep alive? vs. 14 .. the women and children. and ther live stock Who would the spoils and booty of the city belong to? vs. 14 They were to get it 16. This applied to all the cities that were very far from them. In regard to the 7 nations nearby that were to be taken for their possession (inheritance), they were to totally destroy them and not leave anything alive. (vs.15-18). What were the names again of these 7 nations the Lord was giving as an inheritance to the tribes of Israel? vs. 17 1) Hittites Hittites 2) Amonrites 3) Canaanites 4)Perizzites 5)Hivites 6)Jebusites 7) 17. Why were they to utterly destroy them? vs. 18 18. We have discussed alot of this before, but what were some of the things that these nations did for their gods that were so destable? Look up the names of a few of their gods in a concordance and share what worship to them was all about. 19. Back to Deuteronomy 19. What kind of trees were they not to destroy when they were besieging a city for a long time to make war against it? vs. 19 The trees that bear food 20. Which trees would be okay to cut down and use to construct siegeworks against the city they were making war with? vs. 20 The ones not for food Application: 21. Are you dealing with fear for a battle you are fighting today? Give your fear to the Lord and realize that He will fight your battle for you. What verses can you choose from today's lesson to memorize and speak when you need to overcome the fear. Please write them down. 22. What can you do to train yourself to be a more committed soldier for the Lord Jesus Christ? Think about it and try to write out your answer. 23. Summarize the lesson and post a prayer if you would like.

-- may God bless you.