Run 'em through

Ezekiel 32:20
20 The Egyptians will fall with the many who have died by the sword, for the sword is drawn against them. Egypt and its hordes will be dragged away to their judgment.

So many times in the Bible, God tells the nation of Israel to go and to conquer an opposing nation. He gives strict instructions, in most occasions, that every man, woman, and child is to be killed. Sometimes, like in 1 Samuel 15, God goes as far as to tell His people to kill the livestock too. In most cases He makes reference to the use of a sword in order to conquer. Why not catapult? Why not bow and arrow? Why not fire?

Here are my thoughts as to why God would require everyone to be killed; why He would require even the livestock to die. Here is why I think God had them use a sword. To kill someone with a bow and arrow, for instance, is certainly hard both physically and mentally, but somewhat detached. In Bible times there were no high powered scopes on weapons, so the target would appear to be just a silhouette on the horizon. This takes some of the personal responsibility out of what is being done. To kill someone with a sword, however, takes a huge effort. You have to struggle hand to hand with that person. You are forced to look that enemy directly in the eye. You trade blood with each other. That enemy even has the ability to bring harm to you. It’s a primal struggle for victory.

We are taught as Christians that Jesus is the Word of God, and that His Word is like a sword. (Revelation 19:15) While all of the Bible is a true and historical account of what happened and what God intended to happen, it is also a picture of God’s salvation plan for our lives. Everything in history, whether Biblical or otherwise, is God inspired and controlled in order that His Jesus will receive the glory. The lesson to be learned is that God requires our enemies to be totally and utterly destroyed. Whether it’s alcohol, pornography, drug abuse, depression, anger, rage, sexual abuse, or whatever else there is, God wants you and me to face our enemy in battle. He wants us to come face to face with our adversary and slay him with the Sword. We carry with us Jesus Christ, the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. God requires us to fight, He’s made us in His image. God is a fighter, therefore so are we. He’s given us an objective and the Weapon to conquer. The battle may not be easy, but it’s already won!