Meditations

Open Line on March 29, 2025 @23:10

Listener: When Israel is going to war ..

Dr Michael Rydelnik: You mean biblical Israel or modern day Israel?

Listener: Either or, are they suppose to gather together and pray about it before they go to war or just go to war?

Answer from Dr Michael Rydelnik:

https://www.moodyradio.org/radioplayer.aspx?episode=638976&hour=2

Summary of Answer:

During Old Testament times, they have a prophet to tell them to go to war or not to go to war. For example, in Judges, the prophetess Debra indicated to Barak to go to war. Israel’s war with Hamas was biblical but it was not a direct command as Romans 13:4 would imply it is in God’s will to punish the wicked and protect the innocent. Ecclesiates 3 says there’s a time of peace and a time of war. After the attack from Hamas, there’s an obligation for Israel to go to war immediately, not necessarily waiting for a prophet to tell them to do so.

Romans 13

⁴ For he 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. -nkjv

⁴ For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. -kjv

⁴ for it is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a servant of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. -nasb

⁴ For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. -niv

Ecclesiastes 3

8A time to love,
And a time to hate;
A time of war,
And a time of peace. -nkjv

⁸ A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. -kjv

8A time to love and a time to hate;
A time for war and a time for peace. -nasb

8 a time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace. -niv