EXODUS 20:13 AND ARMED FORCES

**Waqar Daniel** Wed 27 Jun 2007, 6:51 pm

"Do not commit murder." (Exodus 20:13)

If murder is wrong, should anyone join the armed forces or police, where lethal force may be required?

To answer this, first of all let us see the legal definition of murder in Law of any country. This is a general definition and is used by most of the countries.

MURDER, FIRST DEGREE - In order for someone to be found guilty of first degree murder the government must prove that the person killed another person; the person killed the other person with malice aforethought; and the killing was premeditated.

To kill with malice aforethought means to kill either deliberately and intentionally or recklessly with extreme disregard for human life.

Premeditation means with planning or deliberation. The amount of time needed for premeditation of a killing depends on the person and the circumstances. It must be long enough, after forming the intent to kill, for the killer to have been fully conscious of the intent and to have considered the killing.

Now let us see, how Bible defines MURDER. The very first account of murder is recorded in Genesis and the first mention of the appropriate punishment for a murder is:

"And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand;...a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth. And the LORD said unto him, therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him." (Genesis 4:11-15)

This first ever recorded and known murder has the same motive; Cain murdering Able was premeditated and malicious. So under any law he would be guilty of murder.

The Biblical books Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy form the rest of the Pentateuch and contain the Mosaic Code - a set of civil and religious transgressions with their appropriate punishments.

But if a man willfully attacks another to kill him by cunning, you shall take him from my altar that he may die. (Exodus 21:14)

SELF DEFENSE IN THE BIBLE

Exodus 22:2-3 tells us "If the thief is found breaking in, and he is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt for his bloodshed. If the sun has risen on him, there shall be guilt for his bloodshed. He should make full restitution; if he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft."

One conclusion which can be drawn from this is that a threat to our life is to be met with lethal force. During the day, presumably because we can recognize and later apprehend the thief if he escapes, we are not to kill him in non life-threatening circumstances.

In Proverbs 25:26 we read that "A righteous man who falters before the wicked is like a murky spring and a polluted well."[B] Certainly we would be faltering before the wicked if we chose to be unarmed and unable to resist an assailant who might be threatening our life.

Resisting an attack is not to be confused with taking vengeance which is the exclusive domain of God (Romans 12:19). This has been delegated to the civil magistrate, who, as we read in Romans 13:4, [B]"is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil."

Private vengeance means one would stalk down a criminal after one's life is no longer in danger as opposed to defending oneself during an attack. It is this very point that has been confused by Christian pacifists who would take the passage in the Sermon on the Mount about turning the other cheek (which prohibits private vengeance) into a command to falter before the wicked.

Therefore, it is clear that when Bible talks of murder, it is same what many Civil Laws of different countries of 21st century talk about murder. I find no difference and therefore it is now clear that MURDER holds a definition and the Law has some conditions to convict a person of the charge. Murder has nothing to do with serving in Armed Forces because defending your country does not come under the Law of Murder. People are just confusing murder with a duty of defending millions of people from enemies. Yes one Army does come under the Law of Murder and that is the Terrorists' Army.

It is clear now that we MUST not confuse an act of CIVIL Law with defense of a country or with self defense.

Now let us see who promote that Christians joining Armed Forces are not Christians OR it is against Christianity to serve in Armed Forces.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

This is the biggest DECEPTION of 21st century. They always find Muslims being persecuted around the world and even in Muslim countries. - WHY - Well it is owned by Muslims and is headed by Irene Khan.

She is always against Christians building Armies but she closes her eyes against Muslim Armies - So strange? I recently watched her debate on BBC with a CIA agent, where she alleged that due to interrogation process in Iraq and Afghanistan, they are producing Terrorists. Well - which was first: Interrogation or Terrorists?

She was not bothered that how many people would die but surely she was very vocal and worried on interrogation methods used by USA and England of few handful Muslim Terrorists.

To me it was comedy show, because these western looking Muslim Organizations are deceiving people.

QUACKERS

This cult is very vocal against Christians joining armed forces. My question is: Are they Christians? Well NO, then why should we listen to their FOOLISH philosophy.

GENERAL TREND

People think it is not humane in joining Armed Forces, but look at these people, they are into SEX, into ABORTIONS and into every EVIL one can think of. Why don't they quote Bible in the areas where are they committing sin and hold on to two verses of New Testament? It is a cool trend of 21st century.

UNIVERSITY CHAIRS

In all USA and Europe, many chairs in leading universities are sponsored by Saudi Arabia. They send their own Professors and who brain wash students against war and Americas role in Iraq and Afghanistan. On the other hand same Saudi Arabia is supporting financially many terrorists’ organizations. SO STRANGE!

STRATEGIC ARMED COLLEGES

Nearly in all Armed Forces Strategic Colleges whether in the Christian world or Muslim world, they all study David’s attack formation and his diplomatic policies. WHY? Because he followed Divine knowledge and God instructed him in all his wars.

GOD AS KING

Early Israel’s understanding of warfare is closely connected with their conception of God as a mighty warrior (Exod 15:3; Deut 7; 20; Ps 24:8). The Lord was a warrior who had made Israel his people by defeating the Egyptians (Deut 4:32-34) and who protects and defends them (2 Sam 22:35-37; Ps 144:1). Because the Lord was the God of Israel’s army (1 Sam 17:45), the Israelites prayed for God to lead them into battle (Judg 4:14). They would pray for God’s approval and involvement before engaging in war (1 Sam 28:4-6; 2 Sam 5:17-19).

Though they might be outnumbered, with the divine warrior on their side, the size of the army was unimportant (Judg 7:1-9; 1 Sam 14:6). But even with God’s help, preparation was necessary. Often information was gathered from behind enemy lines (Num 13; Josh 2:1), sacrifices were offered (1 Sam 7:9-10), and stirring speeches were given to inspire the warriors to have no fear. God would be with them to deliver their enemies into their hands (Deut 20:2; 2 Chr 20:20). The battle began with priests sounding the trumpet (Num 10:9; 2 Chr 13:12-18) and bringing out the sacred chest, a symbol of God’s presence in the field (1 Sam 4:4-18). The battle ended when God sent terror into the hearts of the enemy. In their fear and panic they destroyed themselves. This is the miraculous victory that God provides. The Israelites’ only duties were to trust completely in the power of God and to face the enemy unafraid (Exod 14:14).

CONCLUSION

The Christian pacifist may try to argue that God has changed His mind from the time that He gave Moses the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20 or the provision for justifiably killing a thief in Exodus 22. But the writer of Hebrews makes it clear that this cannot be, because "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8). In the Old Testament, the prophet Malachi records God's words this way: "For I am the Lord, I do not change" (Malachi 3:6). Paul was referring to the unchangeability of God's Word when he wrote to Timothy that "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Clearly, Paul viewed all Scripture, including the Old Testament, as useful for training Christians in every area of life.

We must also consider what Christ told his disciples in his last hours with them: "...But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a sack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one" (Luke 22:36, emphasis added). Keep in mind that the sword was the finest offensive weapon available to and individual soldier - the equivalent then of a military rifle today.

While Christ told Peter to "put your sword in its place" He clearly did not say get rid of it forever. That would have contradicted what he told the disciples only hours before. Peter's sword was to protect his own mortal life from danger. His sword was not needed to protect the Creator of the universe and the King of kings.

I believe there is nothing wrong in serving in Armed Forces, those who say that it not Christian are only misleading and misquoting Bible for their sponsors sitting in the Muslim world. No one is asking Iran to stop its Nuclear Adventures but surely Amnesty International and other Human Rights Organizations are too worried about sanctions being imposed at Iran. The very same Human Rights Organizations when they work in these countries are abducted, converted to Islam and then released. There are scores of examples in Iraq and Afghanistan to support this claim.

There is nothing un-Biblical in serving in Armed Forces and to defend the country against its enemies. God will never change, even those who are too fond of quoting New Testament must also look into the incident where LORD and Savior Jesus Christ drove out money changers and must look into this PROPHECY in Isaiah:

”Come together, all of you, and listen:
Which of the idols has foretold
these things?”
The LORD has chosen ally
will carry out his purpose against
Babylon;
His arm will be against the Babylonians.
I, even I, have spoken;
I will bring him,
And he will succeed in his mission
(Isaiah 48:14-16, NIV)

God bless