If so, what was the point?
Or was it mysterious?
2006-07-07 04:08:43 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
God did not "make" them loose. I think the point of the narratives is that when God was not with the Israelites, they loose battles. Theirs was a relatively small army and they fought on foot, whereas their enemies often had horses, chariots and better weapons (example, the Philistines had a monopoly on iron at the time of the Judges - ah, Samuel, Samson and Gideon's time). So when the Israelites won, they won because God fought for them. That's the point.
2006-07-07 04:16:08 · answer #1 · answered by Phoebhart 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I assume OT means olden times, correct? The Jews didn't loose all the wars they fought, however they were always undermanned and simply couldn't withstand larger armies. God if there is one did not make them win or loose. Seems like you're taking an anti-Jewish view. Let me propose the following: Jesus was a man...nothing more or less...a great teacher, ahead of his time...but a man. Jesus didn't die for your sins...the Jews have and continue to SUFFER for your sins. That's the point. Think on it for a little bit and you'll see that's why the Jews are the "chosen people".
2006-07-07 11:18:09 · answer #2 · answered by thebigm57 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes.
God chastens his children.
Jeremiah 40:2-3 (NKJV)
And the captain of the guard took Jeremiah and said to him: "The Lord your God has pronounced this doom on this place. [3] Now the Lord has brought it, and has done just as He said. Because you people have sinned against the Lord, and not obeyed His voice, therefore this thing has come upon you.
______
In the Bible, David counted his army. This really got God mad becuase David did not trust Him. God gave David three choices for punnishment.
2 Samuel 24:12 (NKJV)
"Go and tell David, 'Thus says the Lord: "I offer you three things; choose one of them for yourself, that I may do it to you." ' "
2 Samuel 24:13 (NKJV)
So Gad came to David and told him; and he said to him, "Shall seven years of famine come to you in your land? Or shall you flee three months before your enemies, while they pursue you? Or shall there be three days' plague in your land? Now consider and see what answer I should take back to Him who sent me."
________
Seven years of famine...run for 3 months being pursued by your enemies...or three days of plague
David reasoned and chose the plagues from God's hand. He chose the punnishment of the plague because he knew God was and is merciful. He would rather be in the hands of a merciful God than unmerciful men.
2 Samuel 24:15-17 (NKJV)
So the Lord sent a plague upon Israel from the morning till the appointed time. From Dan to Beersheba seventy thousand men of the people died. [16] And when the angel stretched out His hand over Jerusalem to destroy it, the Lord relented from the destruction, and said to the angel who was destroying the people, "It is enough; now restrain your hand." And the angel of the Lord was by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. [17] Then David spoke to the Lord when he saw the angel who was striking the people, and said, "Surely I have sinned, and I have done wickedly; but these sheep, what have they done? Let Your hand, I pray, be against me and against my father's house."
Yes, and God did show mercy.
2006-07-07 11:31:50 · answer #3 · answered by Red-dog-luke 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think God made them lose to prove a point, but I'm sure that He did inspire them to take a lesson or two from such losses -- just as all historical events teach us lessons that we'd do well to remember.
2006-07-07 11:12:15 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The times that Israel lost in war were usually when they didn't seek God's will in the matter first. Most said, "Lord, if you don't go, neither do I." And they usually waited to see if God said "go" or "no".
2006-07-07 11:22:29 · answer #5 · answered by steves_wifey 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes God told them that they would continue to be at war until they believed in him once again.
2006-07-07 11:13:11 · answer #6 · answered by horserunner92 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would be a good start. But you might want to put some study time in to see if you can understand what the point would be??????
2006-07-07 11:12:03 · answer #7 · answered by Dead Man Walking 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The point is that diplomacy is the best solution! In a war, no one really wins... There are the dead and the losers...
2006-07-07 11:11:57 · answer #8 · answered by Todd Maz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
And the point was;
Only fight the wars that GOD tells you to.
And realize that in your own strength you can accomplish nothing.
2006-07-07 11:27:31 · answer #9 · answered by drg5609 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Eveything in the old Testement led up to the birth, teachings, cursifixion, and ressurection of Jesus.
2006-07-07 11:13:00 · answer #10 · answered by Carol M 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋