Post by Mark on Aug 22, 2009 7:01:16 GMT -8
The dismissal of folks who are ill-prepared for war was a staggeringly amazing concept. The traditional means of warfare was to conscript as many local peasantry as available. These would be given weapons and driven in advance of the regular army, knowing that if they made any attempt to retreat or desert, they would be killed. They were to be fodder: to fatigue and reveal the enemy position.
Adonai’s command regarding the battlefield is revolutionary in recognizing the validity and respecting the goals of each individual person. The things in your life that are important to you are not on the chopping block of His greater agenda. He doesn’t want your conscription. He want’s your heart. If that is not where you are, then the battle is not for you.
This is the same position our Messiah took when calling His own disciples. We don’t walk after His ways because we think it’s a good idea.
And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
(Luk 14:25-33)
If we follow Messiah with a divided heart, we will not succeed in the battle.
