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ZDK Ministry of Government - Divine Law Library
THE LAWS OF GOD - #6.C
WARFARE AND LAWS OF COMBAT
God has set forth HIS Laws in the Holy Scriptures for ALL Mankind to
know--and obey (Proverbs 14:34 and Isaiah 60:12)!
6. THOU (you) SHALL NOT KILL (Murder)
.A MURDER AND VIOLENT CRIMES
We have extensively covered this part of the Commandment in our last
section. To get back to it, use the link, below.
- To get MURDER AND VIOLENT CRIMES Laws
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.B PUBLIC HEALTH AND SANITATION:
We have, also, covered this part of the Commandment in our last
section. To get back to it, use the link, below.
- To get PUBLIC HEALTH AND SANITATION
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.C WARFARE AND LAWS OF COMBAT
While some Pacifists hold that war is just organized murder (hence, not
allowed), we find many laws concerning warfare in the Holy Scriptures
(and how to conduct it properly). Now, while we are generally
admonished to live in PEACE, we must also bear in mind that the Lord
is a Warrior and may call HIS People into Combat for HIS cause. So,
we need to be prepared for that call (and not live as total Pacifists,
unable to serve when required). Therefore, let us go through the cycle
of combat, and review the Laws for each action. (NOTE: this section
is applicable to Our status as a Nation, out among the Stars--not as
a Religious Realm or Spiritual Society!)
- ..1 PRE-WAR PREPAREDNESS:
Male members (Celestial Citizens) are to be encouraged to be zealous
warriors and militant fighters, like the Mediavel Knights of
old--ready and willing to fight for God's causes, and even to lay
down their lives for HIM, if need be (Numbers 32:16-17;
Deuteronomy 20:3-4; I Samuel 17:45-47; I Chronicles 8:40, 12:1-2,
8, 21-22; II Chronicles 14:11-12. 24:5, 26:11-15; Matthew 16:25;
Mark 8:35; Luke 9:24; John 15:13; II Corinthians 10:3-6).
- ..2 INTELLIGENCE OPERATIONS:
the gathering of vital information, so called spying, espionage, and
even sabotage may be used against potential enemies of the Realm
(Nation), in order to provide accurate information needed for good
decisions in the situation and as an aid to conducting campaigns and
battles, later on, if needed (Numbers 13:17; Johsua 2:1; I Samuel
26:4; Luke 14:31-32).
- ...a SECRECY:
secrecy and the need to know classification employed for added
protection (II Kings 6:8-12; Nehemiah 2:16; Proverbs 11:13,
20:19, 25:9; Matthew 7:6; Mark 8:27-30, 9:9).
- ...b TREACHERY:
obtaining the dis-loyalty of enemies by treachery (especially
bribes of money or favors) may be used to break up alliances or
obtain vital information on foreigners and their activities
(II Chronicles 16:1-5)--consequently, we must also be on gaurd to
block and check such activities in Our Realm!
- ...c COUNTER-INFORMATION:
dis-information and subterfuge may be used in military operations
and espionage to confuse the enemy and cover actual operations
(Exodus 1:17-20; Joshua 2:2-6, 8:4-7; I Samuel 19:11-16, 21:1-2,
8-9, 13-15, 27:10-12; II Kings 6:8-12, 18:26-36).
- ...d CHARACTER ASSASSINATION:
character destabilization and typical gemeinshaft/geselshaft
operations may need to be used against individual enemy agents and
operatives (Genesis 39:7-20; I Samuel 20:27-30; Nehemiah 6:6-9;
Amos 7:10-13; Luke 11:53-54).
- ...e HARDSHIPS:
commercial discrimination and economic hardships may be needed to
be used against the works of foreign agents and their operatives
(Genesis 46:33-34; Joshua 9:27; Exodus 5:5-9; Nehemiah 4:15;
Psalms 137:1-4; Revelations 13:16-17).
- ...f HARASSMENT:
harassment and sabotage may also be needed to be employed against
individual foreign agents and their operatives (I Samuel 5:1-12).
- ...g BIO-CHEMICAL ACTION:
use of biological or chemical agents may be needed against the
works of foreign agents and their operatives (Genesis 26:15, 18:21;
Judges 9:45, 15:4-6; II Kings 18:27; Matthew 13:24-30;
Revelations 8:7-11, 9:3-6).
- ...h ASSASSINATION:
the neutralization of enemy agents and operatives is highly desired
and it may become necessary to have some persistant agents
eliminated (Judges 3:16-26, 4:18:22)--but this is to be very
limited (see Powers of Monarch)!
- ...i INTERROGATION:
the capture and debriefing of enemy agents or soldiers is to be
highly desired--rather than killing them and losing their
information (Judges 8:14; I Samuel 30:11-15; Acts 22:24).
- ..3 DECLARATION OF WAR:
Holy Wars or Crusades are occassionally ordained and called by
God--and HE is to be consulted concerning going to War (Exodus 17:16;
Numbers 31:1-2; Deuteronomy 1:42-44; Judges 1:1-2; I Samuel 23:2).
Thus, the following principles should be considered in such
decisions.
- ...a PEACE PRIORITY:
discipline and restraint are called for to avoid being provoked or
drawn into unwanted conflicts, fights, and battles (Genesis 43:18;
I Kings 20:2-7; II Kings 5:6-7; Matthew 5:39; Luke 6:29;
II Corinthians 11:12).
- ...b CALL TO WAR:
however, when God has had enough, HE will Call for War through HIS
individual Prophets or through the college of Prophets (the House
of Clergy)--or even through Urim and Thummim (Judges 1:1, 20:28;
I Samuel 30:8; I Kings 22:6; II Chronicles 18:5; Proverbs 20:19,
24:6).
- ...c DEFENSE:
no declaration of war is needed to defend Our Realm (Nation) from
invasion--and as a standing order, retalliation or Reply-In-Kind
(proportionate response) is sanctioned for armed attacks upon Our
Populace or Land, or organized violence against Agents of the
Throne or Members of Our Armed Services or their installations
(Genesis 14:14-15; Leviticus 24:19-20; I Samuel 11:6-7;
II Samuel 10:4-7, 16-17; I Kings 12:18-19; I Chronicles 14:8).
- ..4 MARSHALLING OF FORCE (Draft):
the calling up of all able bodied men and assemblying them in the
various Armed Services for best use in the approaching battle(s) is
provided for under conditions of War (Numbers 1:2-3, 26:1-2,
32:20-23; Nehemiah 4:19-20).
- ...a STANDING FORCES:
the core of a standing army or armed services is provided for
under the Monarch's power of conscription or draft (See, also
LAW-5.D.3.a CONSCRIPTION under Powers of
the Monarch)--the reserves and new forces (or called up troops)
shall be added to this for the coming Warfare.
- ...b EXEMPTIONS:
the normal combat exemptions and exclusions are to be observed in
such a call up of manpower (Deuteronomy 20:5-8, 24:5).
- ...c HOLINESS:
a certain standard of morality and ethics (holiness) is required
of ALL assembled forces, in order for proper Warfare to be
undertaken with God's blessing (Deuteronomy 23:9; II Samuel
22:30-31; Psalms 27:1-6).
- ...d MERCENARIES:
in some situations, mercenaries or armed guards may be hired to
bulster the assembled forces (II Samuel 10:6; I Chronicles
19:6-7; II Chronicles 25:5-6. 13).
- ..5 PRE-BATTLE PREPARATIONS:
a variety of things need to be set in order before the military
campaign is begun and the battle commenced.
- ...a LOGISTICS:
military supplies need to be arranged for, organized, and
transported to where they will be needed for suport in the
battle--and, especially, adaquate food and provisions need to be
supplied to Our Forces, lest they be tempted to sin in the spoils
or surrender unduely (Judges 7:8; I Samuel 14:24, 29-33).
- ...b ENGINEERS:
military engineers should be used for a variety of buidling and
construction projects, to prepare and enhance the battlefield to
the benefit of Our Forces (Nehemiah 4:16-17).
- ...c CONSERVATION:
reasonable care should be taken to conserve and protect the
environment from undue damage in the campaign or battle
(Deuteronomy 20:19-20).
- ...d SANITATION:
proceedures of Public Health and Sanitation need to be properly
observed in campaings and battles to prevent Our Forces from being
debilitated by diseases (Deuteronomy 23:12-14; Ezekiel 39:12-16).
See also Public Health and Sanitation,
above.
- ...e CAMP FOLLOWERS:
care needs to be taken to insure sexual hygene during the campaign
(Numbers 31:15-18; Deuteronomy 23:10-11; I Samuel 21:4-5).
- ...f COMMAND TO SURRENDER:
before commencing the battle, the local opposition needs to be
given the pre-battle command to surrender, as a kind of local
declaration of war--giving them the honorable opportunity to give
up--and the refusial of which is more than justification in God's
eyes for their destruction (Deuteronomy 20:10-12).
- ...g PRAYER:
just before launching the attack, the pre-battle prayer (and
speech or pep talk) needs to be said, so that God will come to Our
aid in the coming battle (Deuteronomy 20:2-4).
- ..6 STRATEGIES OF BATTLE:
a variety of strategies for combat are provided for in the Holy
Scriptures, for use in conducting the coming battle. And, Our
Military Staff may come up with some good ones of their own, under
God's leading!
- ...a DEFENSIVE LINE (trenches):
blocking the further movement of enemy forces into important areas
or domestic districts of Our Land by throwing up a line of troops
(battle line) and/or defenses (fortifications) in the enenmy's way
(see below).
- ...b FORTIFICATIONS (Castles):
the building of fortifications, strongholds, fenced cities, strong
points, and castles (to form a fortified protective line) is found
all over in the Holy Scriptures (Numbers 13:28, 32:17; Joshua
11:12-13; Judges 1:27-33; I Chronicles 27:25; II Chronicles
11:11).
- ...c AMBUSCADE:
attacking the enemy from a concealed position not only gives you
the element of surprize, but it also blocks him from knowing the
number and distribution of your forces--so concealment of your
forces is highly recommended (Joshua 8:2, 12; Judges 20:36-38;
II Chronicles 13:13, 20-22).
- ...d ELEMENT OF SURPRIZE:
attacking the enemy when and where he is not expecting it, or in
an unsual way (Judges 7:19-21)--God will often inspire victories
though this method.
- ...e CIRCUMVENTION:
sweeping around the end of a battle line, especially to attack the
enemy's flanks and rear--or their means of producing and sustaining
warfare--is useful (II Samuel 5:23).
- ...f COLUMN:
the breaking-through of a battle line by the use of concentrated
forces, especially for the obtaining of a single, important
objective (II Samuel 18:3-4; II Chronicles 18:30-32).
- ...g SEIGE:
use of circumvallation or surrounding an enemy strong point,
especially with seigeworks so as to help contain them, is a long
and drawn out process, but may be needed to take the stronghold
(Deuteronomy 20:10-14; I Samuel 5:6-8; Isaiah 29:3; Jeremiah
51:2; Ezekiel 4:2-3; Micah 5:1).
- ...h ECONOMY OF FORCE:
reducing over-kill (and budget over-runs) by using just the right
amount of force needed for victory (Judges 7:2-7).
- ...i CHALLENGE OF CHAMPIONS:
reducing the carnage of widespread combat to a duel or challenge
of champions between the best of each side--frequently used in the
Mediavel World (I Samuel 17:4-10; II Samuel 2:12-15).
- ...j GUERILLA WARFARE:
use of a small force to wage war against a much more superior force
(I Samuel 22:1-2, 23:13-14).
- ..7 CONFUSION OF BATTLE:
widespread combat tends to take place in a raging sea of confusion
(and fog), so every warrior is admonished to keep his head clear and
think as logically as possible, to reduce this confusion as much as
is obtainable (Isaiah 9:5; Acts 19:29-32; I Corinthians 14:33).
So, it is desirable to limit this by giving the warriors adaquate
training in combat, beforehand! And, it becomes vitally important
to not just have clear target acquisition, but to have accurate
target identification, so that you are sure that you are attacking
the real enemy (not a feign) and the correct enemy (not friendly
forces in an unsual position)--or innocent civilians trapped in the
way (Judges 12:5-6; II Samuel 18:24-27).
- ..8 DISTRIBUTION OF SPOILS:
success or conquest in War often produces new acquisitions and wealth
or lands. These need to be distributed in an orderly fashion to
prevent fights among us!
- ...a GENERAL DISTRIBUTION:
generally, about half (45%) is to go to the military involved (as
just compensation for their valiant efforts) and about half (45%)
to the Congregation(s) or Realm Members (Celestial Citizens), with
a generous donation of a tithe (10%) going as an offering to God
(Numbers 31:25-47).
- MILITARY REWARD:
the military part of the general portions is to be set aside for
distribution to ALL who enter Our Armed Services for the War,
not just front-line troops (I Samuel 30:23-25).
- MILITARY BONUS:
according to the above rules, military personnel would receive a
double portion--once for Armed Services duty and once as
Celestial Citizens or Congregation Members of Our Realm.
- LOTTERY:
the general portions of the spoils are to be taken and
distributed by lottery (Proverbs 16:33 and 18:18), BOTH for
combatants (military) and for citizens of the Realm (Numbers
26:55-56; Nahum 3:10; Matthew 27:35).
- REGULAR TRIBUTE (Taxes):
new vassals and those who surrender and observe their subjection
to Our Realm (Nations) properly are to be taxed (and treated) as
regular citizens or Nationals (Deuteronomy 20:10-11). Those
who do not surrender or do not submit once captured may be sold
as slaves and distributed in the spoils.
- ...b SPECIAL DISTRIBUTIONS:
in addition to the general rules of distribution, there may be
special circumstances or exempt cases from the gemeral
distribution, many of which are listed below:
- IDOLATROUS BAN:
any forbidden images or items used in idolatrous worship are not
to go in the general distirbution! Rather they are to be
dedicated to God (Deuteronomy 7:25-26, 13:12-17), with the metals
being melted down, the jewels and instruments subjectd to great
heat, and the clothing type articles being boiled (Numbers 31:23;
Joshua 6:18-19).
- COMMANDER'S REWARD:
a special reward is provided for the Main Commander(s), usually
his choice among the spoils (Judges 8:24-26).
- HONORS AND AWARDS:
the courageous and valiant in the battle may recieve special
rewards from the spoils (Judges 1:12; I Samuel 17:25;
II Samuel 5:8)--including an award of title (See, also
LAW-5.D.4.a.8.a NOBILITY under
Monarch's Counselors).
- CAPTIVE WOMEN:
captured women may not be passed around, as this violates the
adultery ban. However, marriagable women may be distributed in
the lottery, or slected as a special reward (Deuteronomy
21:10-14).
(If a combatant should seduce such a woman, then she is
his--and he shall forfeit all other distribution of spoils that
may have been his!)
But, infected women may face the death sentence (Numbers
31:15-18), unless they can be treated or used for projects where
they won't spread the disease.
- ..9 DEFEAT MOTIVE:
the horrors and humiliations of defeat ought to be sufficient motive
to be strong and courageous in battle! And therefore, such
conditions need to be kept before the minds of the people lest they
become soft and unconcerned. For, the workers of the Devil are
always out to conquer and enslave people. So, as the saying goes,
THE PRICE OF FREEDOM IS ETERNAL VIGILANCE!
- ...a facing cruel deaths at the hands of your enemies
(I Chronicles 20:3; II Chronicles 25:12).
- ...b suffering decapitation and having your head cut off
(Judges 7:25).
- ...c enduring the desecretion of your dead friends, family, and
those fallen in battle (I Samuel 31:8-10; Psalms 79:2-3).
- ...d being enslaved by your enemies and forced into doing their
bidding the rest of your life (Judges 16:21; Nahum 3:10-11).
- ...e forced into receiving bodily mutilations (Judges 1:6-7;
I Samuel 11:2; Amos 1:13).
- ...f experiencing great grief, confusion, and affliction (Isaiah
25:12).
- ...g experiencing rout, fleeing in fear, and the seizure of
absolute panic as you run before your enemies (I Samuel 17:51-52,
31:1-2; Isaiah 13:14-16).
- ...h seeing the destruction of your cities, favorite buildings,
and family lands (Judges 9:45; I Samuel 31:7; II Kings 8:12,
15:16).
- ...i being paraded before your captors--even in the nude
(Isaiah 20:2-4).
- ..10 REMEMBER GOD:
despite Our great military power, we MUST remember that it is GOD
who gives us the victory--and that HE is our strength and MAJOR
Secret Weapon (Genesis 15:1, 19:23-25; Exodus 11:4-6, 14:13-14,
15:3; Joshua 6:20-21, 10:12-14, 21:44; Judges 7:20-23, 15:14-16;
II Kings 7:5-7, 19:35, 6:15-23).
- ..11 PURSUE PEACE:
You MUST also remember that WARFARE is only to be pursued when all
the reasonable alternatives to Peace are blocked or exhausted--for
the Holy Scirptures teach us to seek PEACE, not war (Job 22:21;
Pslams 34:14; Proverbs 12:20; Matthew 5:9; Romans 12:18, 14:19;
Colossians 3:15; Hebrews 12:14; James 3:17-18), however, there is
also a Time of War (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 8).
MORE INFO ON GOD'S LAWS!
Now, whatever you do, don't stop here. There is more to learn,
and to grow into the Spiritual Realm--and become a good Citizen of
Our World!
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Filed: 6-29-98 . . . Updated 12-11-00