From the year I was born (1955) until the present there have been somewhere between 150-200 wars, resulting in an estimated at 50 to 70 million people killed, including both combatants and civilians. And that’s just from the last 70 years. 

 

Of course, this depends on how one defines “war.” These numbers include both international and civil wars, regional conflicts, insurgencies, and other armed struggles. Here’s a shortened list:

 

Major Wars (1955 - present)

            •          Vietnam War (1955–1975)

            •          Korean War (1950–1953)

            •          Suez Crisis (1956)

            •          Six-Day War (1967)

            •          Yom Kippur War (1973)

            •          Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988)

            •          Falklands War (1982)

            •          Gulf War (1990–1991)

            •          Bosnian War (1992–1995)

            •          Rwandan Civil War (1990–1994)

            •          Kosovo War (1998–1999)

            •          War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)

            •          Iraq War (2003–2011)

            •          Russo-Georgian War (2008)

            •          Syrian Civil War (2011–present)

            •          Yemeni Civil War (2014–present)

            •          Russian Invasion of Ukraine (2022–present)

 

In addition to the major wars, there have been hundreds of smaller wars, insurgencies, and civil wars, such as conflicts in:

            •          Sri Lanka (1983–2009)

            •          Sudan (1983–2005)

            •          Liberian Civil War (1989–2003)

            •          Somali Civil War (1991–present)

            •          Central African Republic Civil War (2012–present)

None of this includes any conflict before I was born, but world history tells us there have been plenty. Millions upon millions have died. Is this just to be expected in a broken and sin-filled world? When did all of this start; and why? 

 

These wars and conflicts and battles and skirmishes are not only costly to the participants, but they have disproportionately affected civilians, often through famine, disease, or targeted violence (e.g., genocides).

 

My own father fought in World War II, was severely wounded twice, was on Normandy Beach on D-day, received a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star, and spent the rest of his life living with debilitating pain, which he assuaged with alcohol from the American Legion across town. I recall many nights as a kid when he would call me to his bedside and ask me to “karate chop” his back (lungs area) as hard as I could until his back was red and numb, so he could fall asleep. 

 

The Old Testament (dating back to the beginning of human history) is filled with conflict, wars, bloodshed, victory, defeat, and death. It’s completely understandable why many people, when they begin reading the Bible and get a few chapters in will say, “Yeah, I think I’m just gonna skip to the good stuff in the New Testament.” 

 

One would think that certainly by now, 6000 or so years from the Garden of Eden, we would have learned how to get along a little better. As a father and now a Papa to 18 grandkids, I get upset or annoyed when I see my own kids or grandkids arguing or fussing with each other. How do you think God feels when He watches us killing each other? But alas, as the German philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel said: “The only thing we learn from history is that we learn nothing from history.”

 

How about we change that up a little bit? Although most of us may not be party to a physical conflict with guns and grenades and battle fatigues, the Bible tells us that as followers of Jesus, we are subject to spiritual battles and spiritual enemies. So why don’t we see what we can learn from all those wars and battles in the Old Testament, and perhaps we can apply some valuable lessons to our spiritual lives? The Bible tells us “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12) 

 

Also: “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5) 

 

I don’t know about you, but I could certainly use all the help I can get in dealing with my own personal struggles and enemies, and their subtle attempts to defeat me in my walk with Jesus Christ. 

 

How closely related are physical battles to spiritual ones? Let’s investigate, shall we? How many wars fought can be considered spiritual ones, or are fought in the name of a god or other religious icon? Would you like to guess? 

 

For years I have wondered what I could learn from all the conflict between the nation of Israel and the Philistines. Or from the battle led by Joshua against the Canaanite city of Ai. Or against the Hittites, or the Amorites, or the Jebusites, and all those other “ites.”

 

Certainly, I could learn how to have more courage, obedience, and reliance on God in the face of adversityand temptation. 

 

While the Old Testament contains stories of violent wars, followers of Jesus are told to love their enemies. Oh dear; that kind of throws a monkey wrench in the mix. Or does it? The Old Testament enlightens us about warfare with swords and shields; Jesus teaches us love and forgiveness and dependence on Him as the ultimate path to victory. 

 

Stories like David and Goliath illustrate the importance of trusting in God's power, even when facing seemingly insurmountable challenges. And can we learn anything from that guy with the long hair, Sampson is it?

Are all Old Testament battles directly applicable to modern Christian life? Probably not. We must rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth.  However, studying the tactics used by Israelite armies can be a reminder to plan and strategize against temptations and spiritual attacks. Stories of resisting enemy forces can teach believers to stand strong against moral compromise. The concept of the Israelites fighting together as one people can be applied to the unity of the Christian community in facing spiritual (and other) challenges.

 

Whether you realize it or not, if you have repented and placed your faith and trust in Jesus Christ as your savior and Lord, you are officially a warrior for Jesus Christ, a legionnaire in the army of God. This is why we are told: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:10-12)

 

God speed, soldier.

 

May our Lord Jesus Christ be praised and honored and glorified by all that we say, all that we think, and all that we do.

 

H.K. Holevinsky