Deuteronomy 20:1-9: a reflection

1When you go out to battle against your enemies, and see horses, chariots, and a people more numerous than you, you shall not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt, is with you. 2It shall be, when you draw near to the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak to the people, 3and shall tell them, “Hear, Israel, you draw near today to battle against your enemies. Don’t let your heart faint! Don’t be afraid, nor tremble, neither be scared of them; 4for the LORD your God is he who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.” 5The officers shall speak to the people, saying, “What man is there who has built a new house, and has not dedicated it? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it. 6What man is there who has planted a vineyard, and has not used its fruit? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man use its fruit. 7What man is there who has pledged to be married to a wife, and has not taken her? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man take her.” 8The officers shall speak further to the people, and they shall say, “What man is there who is fearful and faint-hearted? Let him go and return to his house, lest his brother’s heart melt as his heart.” 9It shall be, when the officers have finished speaking to the people, that they shall appoint captains of armies at the head of the people.

As Israel prepares for battle, God gives instructions that begin with courage: when you go out against enemies with horses and chariots and armies greater than yours, do not be afraid, for the Lord your God is with you, the God who brought you out of Egypt. A priest is to encourage the troops with these words: do not let your heart faint; the Lord your God goes with you to fight for you and to save you. Their courage was to rest not on their own numbers but on God's presence.

Then come some remarkable exemptions. Anyone who has built a new house but not dedicated it, or planted a vineyard but not enjoyed its fruit, or become engaged but not yet married, is to go home rather than risk dying in battle before tasting these joys. And anyone who is afraid and fainthearted is sent home too, lest their fear spread. These provisions reveal something tender about God: he cares about the ordinary joys of human life, the new home, the first harvest, the marriage, and he does not force the fearful into battle.

Two things to carry. First, real courage comes not from having greater numbers or strength than your opponent but from the presence of God, who goes with his people. When you face something that looks bigger than you, your confidence rests in this: the Lord your God is with you. Second, notice God's care for ordinary human life and joy. He is not a harsh master indifferent to your happiness; he cares about the home, the harvest, the family, the small joys of an ordinary life. Trust the God who goes with you, and know that he tends even the ordinary joys you hold dear.

Lord, you told your people not to fear the larger army, because you go with them to fight and to save. When I face what looks bigger than me, let my courage rest on your presence, not on my own strength. And thank you that you care about the ordinary joys of life, the home, the harvest, the family. You are not indifferent to my happiness. Go with me, and tend even the small joys you have given me. Amen.