What a blessed Shabbat we had today at the Altar.❤️
Today we drashed on the rules of war in Deuteronomy 20, in parsha Shoftim.
Adonai was preparing the children of Israel to take the Promise Land. He was preparing them for war.
He gave them two important pieces of information to aid in their preparation:
1. He would go with them, fight for them, and give them victory. -Deut 20:1-4
2. There were prerequisites a soldier had to meet before fighting. -Deut 20:6-9
What really stood out to me was the soldiers. It’s very interesting to me to see that there were prerequisites for the soldiers, especially since the battle and victory ultimately belong to the Lord anyway.
But that’s just the character of our God… He doesn’t need our partnership, but He desires it deeply. He wants us to be a part of winning the victory,
They are as follows:
A soldier may not fight if
He has built a house but not dedicated it
He has planted a vineyard but not utilized the fruit
He is engaged but not yet married
These seem pretty straightforward. And though these prerequisites are thousands of years old, Adonai is still using them to deliver a message for His people today…
A message for His soldiers…
A message for His warriors…
The Spirit is saying to us “How can I have you advance in spiritual battles if you are holding back from me? A soldier must be completely submitted to his commanding officer.”
So here’s the requirements of us today:
o The house undedicated represents our body.
Have we dedicated our body to Adonai? Or are our bodies being used to please our old nature?
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 “Don’t you know that your body is a temple for Ruach HaKodesh who lives in you from God? The fact is, you don’t belong to yourselves; you were bought at a price. So use your bodies to glorify God.”
o The unused fruit of the vineyard represents our deeds, gifts and talents.
Have we used our deeds, gifts, and talents for His glory and kingdom’s expansion?
Matthew 25:19-21 “After awhile, the master of the house returned and settled accounts with his servants. The servant who received five bags of gold brought forth five more bags. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’
His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come share in your master’s happiness!’”
o The delayed engagement represents our relationship with the Lord.
Have we loyally committed our lives to Him, like a bride to a bridegroom?
Revelation 19:7-8 “Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory,
for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”—
for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.”
Hold nothing back from Him.
He wants you.
He wants you wholly.
He wants you holy.
And He wants you victorious.
Shavua tov, beloved ones❤️
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