Deuteronomy 20:5-9

(2) EXEMPTIONS FROM MILITARY SERVICE (Deuteronomy 20:5-9)

5 And the officers shall speak unto the people, saying, What man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it. 6 And what man is there that hath planted a vineyard, and hath not used the fruit thereof? let him go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man use the fruit thereof. 7 And what man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man take her. 8 And the officers shall speak further unto the people, and they shall say, What man is there that is fearful and faint-hearted? let him go and return to his house, lest his brethren's heart melt as his heart. 9 And it shall be, when the officers have made an end of speaking unto the people, that they shall appoint captains of hosts at the head of the people.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 20:5-9

334.

The possibilities for deferment from military services were indeed varied. List them.

335.

Wouldn-'t everyone claim exemption? Obviously man would not claim exemption. Why?

336.

Cowardize was a recognized fault. We are in the greatest of all armies and engaged in a desperate conflict. Apply.

AMPLIFIED TRANSLATION 20:5-9

5 And the officers shall speak to the people, saying, What man is there who has built a new house and has not dedicated it? Let him return to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man dedicate it.
6 And what man has planted a vineyard and has not used the fruit of it? Let him also return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man use the fruit of it.
7 And what man has betrothed a wife, and has not taken her? Let him return to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man take her.
8 And the officers shall speak further to the people, and say, What man is fearful and fainthearted? Let him return to his house, lest [because of him] his bretheren's [mind and] heart faint as does his own.
9 And when the officers finish speaking to the people, they shall appoint commanders at the head of the people.

COMMENT 20:5-9

A house built but not dedicated; a vineyard planted but not harvested; a man betrothed but not married; a man faint-hearted but on the front lines of battle (i.e., a coward)all these are allowed to return home until or unless their circumstances changed and they were thus qualified to wage war. In the case of the first three, if they died in battle it would be left to others to consummate what they had begun.

NEW HOUSE. NOT DEDICATED (Deuteronomy 20:5)Probably formal possession was taken of the house by some solemn ceremony, followed by a festive entertainment (Pulpit).

THAT HATH BETROTHED A WIFE (Deuteronomy 20:7)The Hebrew word aras signifies to espouse a woman; properly, to make a spouse (Gesenius), become engaged to (a girl), betroth (a wife) (Baumgartner). Cf. Deuteronomy 28:30. Whether the wedding ceremony was over or not, he had not yet begun to make a home with his fiancée. Compare Deuteronomy 24:5. In the economy of Israel, one betrothed was considered legally bound. See note, Deuteronomy 22:23-27.

FEARFUL AND FAINT-HEARTED (Deuteronomy 20:8)Is there anyone afraid and disheartened (The Torah); afraid and weak-hearted (Berkely). And note the reason for sending him homeLEST HIS BRETHREN'S HEART MELT AS HIS HEART (Deuteronomy 20:8)His influence might spread like leaven, disheartening and discouraging the entire army (especially if there were several of them around!) Cf. Deuteronomy 1:28.

It is not too hard to see that the same principle applies to those of us joined together in the warfare for Christ! Speak, act, and think discouragingly and, because we are all creatures of influence, others are caused to have feeble knees and weak hands. That is why Jesus taught If ANY man would come after me [if any man would join his hosts and do battle against -the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places-'], let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me (Matthew 16:24).