Psalm 149

“Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands, to execute vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples…” vss.6-7

Some passages of scripture speak of God’s people engaging in holy war. We see that most clearly in the many stories of the occupation and conquest of Canaan. The armies of Israel are said to have brutally slaughtered the people who were already living in the land. Later on, even after Judah had been defeated in battle, the religious leaders remembered the glorious battles of the past and songs of triumph were composed imagining future victories by Cod’s chosen ones. It’s always tricky for followers of Jesus to interpret the violent imagery of our scriptures, and there are some who use these passages to encourage the new militancy of our country. It’s important for us to remember that the earliest Christians, the ones most familiar with the teachings of Jesus, embraced pacifism, and questioned whether it was fitting for them to serve in the army. While it’s become obvious that there is a need for military forces in a broken world, we make a huge mistake if we believe that Jesus would encourage his followers to take up two-edged swords to punish the nations. In their fallenness humans may glorify killing, but such behaviors have nothing to do with the Peaceable Kingdom of Jesus Christ. In that Kingdom God is praised and glorified, not by power and might, but by unconditional love and sacrificial service.

Thought for the Day: What is Holy War?