Israel's Army

Click here to read Deuteronomy 20.

Chapter 20 deals with the army and establishes the laws and ordinances of war.

1. Veteran's rights and qualifications.
2. Treaties of the future.
3. The destruction of the present people of Canaan.
4. Care of the fruit trees during war.

Chapter 20 deals with three more Civil Laws in the establishment of the Cities of Refuge, it was necessary to give an example of "accidental murder" and an example of "premeditated murder".

1. An example of accidental murder is given. Two men were chopping wood. The head of the ax flies off the handle of one of the men's ax and kills the other man. That person may go to a city of refuge and be protected.
2. An example of premeditated murder is given. If a man hates his neighbor and lies in wait for him so that when he passes by he springs out and kills him, that man has broken the 6th. commandment. If he escapes and goes to a city of refuge, the Elders of the town of the murdered man shall go and bring the murderer back and deliver him to the dead man's avenger, to kill him.
3. Anyone who steals from his neighbor is guilty of breaking the 8th. commandment. Here it refers to the stealing of your neighbors land by the moving of boundary markers.
4. In connection with a witness, anyone who lies or bares a false witness, is guilty of breaking the 9th. commandment and shall receive the same penalty he sought for the one falsely accused.

The Law of the land would be, a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.

Chapter 20 also deals with the Ordinances of War

1. Do not fear the might of the enemy, for the Lord your God is with you.
2. Draft deferments for the following reasons were allowed.
   1. Anyone who had just built a house and had not dedicated it, could be deferred.
   2. Anyone who had planted a vineyard and had not eaten any of the fruit, could be deferred.
   3. Anyone who had just become engaged to be married could be deferred.
3. From those remaining, officers and leaders would be chosen.
4. The following rules of war were established.
   1. When you first approach the enemy you must offer them a truce.
   2. If they accept the truce, the people shall become your servants.
   3. If they do not, besiege the place. When the Lord gives it to you, kill all the men but keep the women and children for yourself.

These ordinances apply only to cities outside the Promise Land. For cities inside the Promise Land, you are to save no one. Everything must be destroyed. This command is to prevent you from being tempted to observe pagan gods and customs. When you besiege a city, do not cut down the fruit trees. You may eat all the fruit you want. Other trees that do not bear fruit, may be cut down and used in your efforts to take the city.

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