CONCERNING his role as a warrior, King David
of ancient Israel said: “[God] is teaching my hands for warfare, and my arms
have pressed down a bow of copper.”—Psalm 18:34.
In regard to Christians, the apostle Paul
wrote: “Though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage warfare according to
what we are in the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not
fleshly.”—2 Corinthians 10:3, 4.
Do those texts contradict each other? Or are there
valid reasons why God approved of ancient Israel’s going to war but disapproved
of Christians’ doing so? Has God’s view of warfare changed? The answers become
clear when we consider three major differences between Israel and the true
Christian congregation.
Three Significant
Differences
1. Ancient Israel was a nation with God-given
geographical borders, and it was surrounded by neighbors who were often
hostile. Therefore, God commanded his people to protect their land, even giving
them victories over their enemies. (Judges 11:32, 33) The Christian
congregation, on the other hand, has no borders, and its members can be found
in all lands. So if Christ’s followers in one country were to join in warfare
against another country, they would be fighting against fellow believers—their
spiritual brothers and sisters—whom they are commanded to love and even die
for.—Matthew 5:44; John 15:12, 13.
2. Ancient Israel had a human king whose throne
was in Jerusalem. True Christians, however, are ruled by Jesus Christ, now a
powerful spirit creature whose throne is in heaven. (Daniel 7:13, 14)
Jesus himself said: “My kingdom is no part of this world. If my kingdom were
part of this world, my attendants would have fought that I should not be
delivered up to the Jews. But, as it is, my kingdom is not from this source.”
(John 18:36) Thus, no political kingdom, or rulership, on earth can claim to
belong to Christ. What bearing does this have on Jesus’ “attendants,” or
followers? The third point explains.
3. Ancient Israel, like other nations, often
sent out messengers, or what we today might call ambassadors or envoys. (2 Kings
18:13-15; Luke 19:12-14) Christ has done the same, but with two key
differences. First, all his followers serve as ambassadors or envoys.
Thus, the apostle Paul could write on behalf of his fellow Christians: “We are
therefore ambassadors substituting for Christ.” (2 Corinthians 5:20) As peaceful
ambassadors, they did not take up arms. Second, Jesus’ followers speak to all
who will listen to their message. Jesus said: “This good news of the kingdom
will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations.”
(Matthew 24:14) He also said: “Go therefore and make disciples of people of all
the nations, . . . teaching them to observe all the things I have
commanded you.”—Matthew 28:19, 20.
Sadly, Christ’s attendants do not always
receive a warm welcome. For this reason Paul wrote to the Christian evangelizer
Timothy: “As a fine soldier of Christ Jesus take your part in suffering evil.”
(2 Timothy 2:3) Timothy’s weapons, of course, were of a spiritual nature
and included God’s written Word, which is called “the sword of the spirit.”—Ephesians
6:11-17.
Why the Change From
Israel to the Christian Congregation?
For some 1,500 years, the nation of Israel
enjoyed a special relationship with God, one that was based on a covenant, or
contract. (Exodus 19:5) That covenant, mediated by Moses, included the Ten
Commandments and other laws, all of which promoted true worship and high moral
standards. (Exodus 19:3, 7, 9; 20:1-17) Sadly, though, Israel as a whole
became unfaithful to God, even to the point of killing his prophets.—2 Chronicles
36:15, 16; Luke 11:47, 48.
Finally, Jehovah sent his Son, Jesus Christ,
who was born a Jew. Instead of welcoming him as the Messiah, the Jewish nation
as a whole rejected him. As a result, God terminated his long-standing covenant
with Israel, and the figurative wall that separated Jew from non-Jew came down.
(Ephesians 2:13-18; Colossians 2:14) At about the same time, God established
the Christian congregation, appointing Jesus as its Head. Moreover, before the
end of the first century, that congregation became truly multinational. “In
every nation the man that fears [God] and works righteousness is acceptable to
him,” stated the Jewish apostle Peter.—Acts 10:35.
Jehovah’s Witnesses model themselves after
the early Christians. Hence, the Witnesses are known for their public ministry
and their neutrality toward politics and carnal warfare. (Matthew 26:52; Acts
5:42) Yes, they let nothing distract them from announcing the good news of God’s
Kingdom, the only government that will eradicate evil and bring lasting peace
to the earth. With that precious hope in mind, the apostle Paul wrote: “As
substitutes for Christ we beg: ‘Become reconciled to God.’” (2 Corinthians
5:20) Those words carry an even greater sense of urgency today, for we are
nearing the end of “the last days” of the present wicked world.—2 Timothy
3:1-5.
[Footnote]
The term “Jew” initially applied to a person
belonging to the Israelite tribe of Judah. Later, the name was applied to all
Hebrews.—Ezra 4:12.
HAVE
YOU WONDERED?
● What outstanding quality are Christians to
show toward one another?—John 13:34, 35.
● What is a true Christian’s primary “weapon”?—Ephesians
6:17.
● Christ’s representatives announce what
important message?—Matthew 24:14; 2 Corinthians 5:20.
Jehovah’s Witnesses make up a
multinational brotherhood and maintain neutrality in the wars of the nations
For more informative articles please go to www.jw.org
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