The Other Kind
For the sons of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, until all the nation, that is, the men of war who came out of Egypt, perished because they did not listen to the voice of the Lord, . . . Joshua 5:6 NASB
War – At the macro level, human history is filled with two kinds of war. The first is basically economic. One group determines that they require resources held by another group. They take them, usually with force. We call that war. Of course, they can take them in other ways. Trade, purchase, treaty, marriage—but if the intention is to take possession of someone else’s resources or property, all of these other vehicles are just synonyms for war. Usually these sorts of aggressions are calculated. Carl von Clausewitz is the father of modern-day war calculation. “War is nothing but a continuation of politics with the admixture of other means.”[1] The enemy that does not assess the cost/benefit ratio correctly will probably lose, even if they win. Modern war is basically economics.
But there is another kind of war; war that has nothing to do with economics. Consequently, this kind of war does not determine the cost/benefit ratio in advance. It cares nothing about the cost. Its only goal is to defeat the opponent at any cost. This is war based on ideology, tribe or personal vendetta. It can begin with as simple an act as insult. It almost never ends until the streets run red. In the time of Joshua, Israel experienced such a war. Or, at least, almost. When Israel left Egypt, the cost/benefit ratio was clearly in favor of YHVH’s people. In fact, Egypt was devastated. But the war with YHVH wasn’t over. Despite all rational evidence and the advice of all the counselors, Pharaoh determined to bring Israel back to captivity or exterminate them. There was no economic logic for this move. It was motivated by pride. The result was inevitable. Egyptians died. It was the war that wasn’t. And it was a war that never should have happened. No reasonable man would have pursued the Hebrews after all that already happened. But Pharaoh wasn’t a reasonable man. He was an insulted god.
Today we have a world where something very similar is occurring. Today’s war with terrorism cannot be understood on the Clauswitzian model. It is not about cost/benefit ratios. It is about insult. The West, and in fact, all infidels, are an insult to the people of Allah. The only logic of this conflict is the logic of religious zeal. And in this kind of war, the only goal is the utter annihilation of the enemy. There can never be peace because the very existence of the enemy is an insult of my god. Such an insult cannot be accommodated or tolerated. It must be destroyed.
In the Bible, YHVH rules over milhama (war). There are times when He determines that the very existence of His enemies requires their total extinction. Only He decides this. Sometimes Israel is asked to carry out this extinction. God commands. We obey. It is a scary thought to realize that the same process is at work in the world today, except that the god who commands is not YHVH. If we do not appreciate how closely the past is aligned with the present, we will not be equipped to deal with an ancient justification for killing.
Topical Index: war, milhama, Joshua 5:6
[1] https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/67848.Carl_von_Clausewitz
An angry person is a blind person, yes. But they can also be blind to being used by others. The blind rage of Islam today is a perfect tool in the hands of those who seek gain.
Would wrestle as in Eph 6 be the same as this war. In Joshua time YHVH took control in the NT times our faith must prevail… as our strength is in YHVH…
Could this be our Jacob wrestle till dawn/light/promise land is reached… As Ester so often refers Word takes on flesh Emmanuel… Anointed by YHVH.
No, I don’t think WAR is the same as the struggle at Jabbok. Please read my book Crossing. What is happening now is a completely different scale and purpose. And I am not so sure that you can so easily separate what YHVH did in the time of Joshua and the call that we have after the time of Yeshua. Remember that there really isn’t any separation between the so-called OT and the NT
Thank you, If I understand correct the different timelines (depths of YHVH revealing to people) from OT and NT does not indicate a difference in YHVH intent but shows a different in the caliber of people being dealt with, and we are 2000 years down the line… YHVH still has one intent our separation from the intent is intensified/covered/veiled due to our worldly exposure. We need to therefore understand the world which separates us (wilderness/lifestyle/conviction) from YHVH and the world which reveals His intent… For me this world is revealed as we gain knowledge of YHVH intent.
As a matter of interest the only reason why those with war in their hearts were excluded from the promise land was most probably because their attitude (internal view and approach) hindered the other “peace” seeking individuals from prospering in the promised land. NT chase peace with all people without which we cannot see (understand) YHVH (His intent).
The word war for me then indicates that ERIC (Emotional Response Impeding Control) is alive…
Perhaps, but be careful that you aren’t incorporating a Greek view of emotional management in your last thought. The Greek believed that emotions prevented rational control and were therefore the source of much chaos. If the world is to be governed by purely rational men, then emotions are the enemy. But the biblical view does NOT embrace this idea. Emotions are the vehicles that bring us into contact with ourselves and with the divine. The Church embraced the Greek view via Augustine. The Bible does not share this thought.
Shalom Seeker (good name, as we are all seekers too :- )),
Kindly elaborate on your last line re what I often refer to, please?
Thank you. Blessings!
There are two kinds of war, there is the physical and there is the spiritual realm, between powers of light and powers of darkness, often through ignorance of truth, and / or intentional as in rebellious, then there is that war comprising of the individual spirit/s -of pride / self exaltation / arrogance / agenda, which when confronted brings forth a spirit of self-justification / vengence,
When YHWH commands to have certain folks exterminated, it is for the good of all mankind, teaching us to identity the clean and the profane, to pull out weeds from the roots before they take over.
Hi Ester. With a few of your postings you mention that the will of YHVH the Torah needs to become the way things are done an earlier post of yours also referred to the importance of John 1:1-14 becoming reality in believers lives…
Skip yes positive emotions are the essence that shape and change us:love. Compassion. Regret. Vulnerability etc. While anger hate jealousy etc most likely keep us from contributing uplifting and supportive Christ like qualities…
Hi Seeker, Yes, wouldn’t that be the most wonderful event all creation is waiting for, bringing down the New Jerusalem! HalleluYAH!
There is much work to be done for that to be accomplished. We need paradigm changes in our mindsets, spirits and lifestyles.
May I add, what Skip meant in emotions are those suppressed feelings of grief. We are not created as robots, feelings should be allowed to flow accordingly, even the negative ones you mentioned can be put to good use, under our control..
Appreciate your reply. Shalom!
Initial process… Read Skip’ next post.