The Bible presents war through two distinct lenses. In the Old dispensation, God commanded Israel to wage specific battles against Canaanite nations like Sihon and Og, framing these conflicts as divine judgment limited to Joshua’s generation. The New covenant shifts emphasis to peace through Jesus, called the Prince of Peace, who established reconciliation through the cross rather than physical conquest. Believers receive peace with God through faith, and kingdom priorities focus on peacemaking and spiritual restoration. The full picture reveals how these perspectives connect across scripture’s unfolding narrative.
Key Takeaways
- The Old Testament records God commanding Israel to wage specific wars as divine judgment against certain nations.
- Herem warfare required complete dedication of spoils to God, prohibiting personal enrichment from conquered peoples.
- These conflicts were limited to Joshua’s generation and directed against specific kings and Canaanite groups.
- Jesus brought a new covenant emphasizing peace, reconciliation, and spiritual rather than physical warfare.
- New Testament priorities focus on peacemaking, unity, and inner peace through faith in Christ.
When the Old Testament Commands War: Conquest, Destruction, and God’s Battles
The Old Testament records numerous instances where God explicitly commands Israel to wage war against specific nations, a reality that challenges modern readers but reflects the ancient Near Eastern context in which these texts were written. Deuteronomy 20:16-17 mandates the complete destruction of seven Canaanite groups in the promised land, while Deuteronomy 2:31 records divine commands to attack King Sihon of Heshbon and King Og of Bashan. The Catholic Old Testament includes several deuterocanonical books that also reflect ancient perspectives on war and providence deuterocanonical books.
Joshua 10:36-40 describes campaigns against Hebron and Debir that left no survivors, and Joshua 11:21-22 details the elimination of the Anakites from hill country towns. These wars were framed as divine judgment rather than conquest for plunder, with spoils dedicated to God through herem, a practice of complete consecration. Under herem warfare, Israelite soldiers were prohibited from enriching themselves with any spoils of victory, as everything was to be devoted to God. Joshua’s initial defeat at Ai resulted from Achan’s secret taking of plunder, which violated this directive and required execution and rectification before military success could resume. The conflicts remained limited to Joshua’s generation and specific defensive circumstances.
Why the New Testament Emphasizes Peace: Jesus, Kingdom Priorities, and Spiritual Warfare
Whereas God commanded Israel to execute judgment through military campaigns against specific nations in the Old covenant, the New covenant presents a fundamentally different approach centered on spiritual reconciliation rather than physical conquest.
Jesus, identified as the Prince of Peace fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy, declared that his peace differs from what the world offers (John 14:27). Through the cross, he broke down hostility between peoples, creating unity rather than division (Ephesians 2:14-17). Paul writes that believers receive peace with God through justification by faith (Romans 5:1), and this inner tranquility surpasses human understanding (Philippians 4:7). This emphasis reflects the New Testament teaching of the one God who acts in distinct persons within the Godhead and so unfolds salvation through the Father, Son, and Spirit doctrine of the Trinity.
Though Jesus clarified he brought not earthly peace but a sword of spiritual division (Matthew 10:34), his kingdom prioritizes peacemaking, reconciliation, and the hope of final restoration when all sorrow ends (Revelation 21:3-4). This peace is not equivalent to the absence of struggle, as genuine discipleship includes bearing the cross and persevering through trials. Scripture warns that false prophets proclaim “Peace, peace” when no real peace exists, misleading people about God’s true intentions and requirements.
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