WAR IN THE TANAKH?
WHAT DOES THE TANAKH SAY? WHAT ATTITUDE SHOULD WE HAVE?
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Regardless of what Secular readers might think, this study uses
historical information from the Tanakh, and does not avoid reverent
references to ADONAI ~ the One behind all History and moral conclusions.
 [We're encouraged that results of a 'poll' in Israel indicates 80% do believe in God.]

Because of these facts ~ or inspite of them,
We hope even secular Jewish readers' interest will be widened ~ to the point of encouragement, ~ especially if you are in a part of the world where 'war' is a reality, especially for any people in the Israeli Defence Forces and their friends.

You will notice as you read through this study,
 [yes, this is a study paper] ~ That words about:
"All Mighty God", or words from the Tanakh / Old Testament', are printed in purple italic, as a mark of respect and reverence.  We use ADONAI for 'LORD' or God.

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WHAT IS ‘WAR’?
The Noun - Definitions
1. ‘Conflict by force of arms, as between nations or groups’ of nations.
2. ‘The state - or time period of such conflict’.
3. ‘Any contest or contention of one human, against a perceived enemy’.
The Verb:
 ‘To engage in armed conflict, to fight, to contend’. [Note innocent people, animals, and nature always suffer in a war, whether intentionally or unintentionally. In modern times Israel is far ahead of any other nation in its efforts to avoid hurting civilians in a war.]

THE CAUSES OF WARS:
1. Disputes over territory of land or sea. These can be disagreements over possession of geographical land or sea areas, or recognised pre-set boundaries.

2. Strongly held religious or cultural beliefs. They are often instigated by very strongly held principles, political or religious beliefs. *

3. The decision of despotic Dictators and Ruling groups.  Evil and dictatorial leaders can manipulate the support of others in a war against another nation for their own ‘glory’, or other reasons. E.G. the Iraq war of Sadam Hussein against Iran, and later Kuwait.

4. A large part of a population may rebel against another large group.  In modern times - populations of any country can rise up against another large tribal or religious group, which can degenerate into lethal use of weapons, which is like 'Civil War'.
We can see this now in Iraq, and Syria, and formerly in Cambodia and Rwanda in Africa.

5. People Protest against bad Leaders. In recent times, we are seeing the amazing willingness of hundreds of people to die (not as soldiers, often) but ordinary citizens for the hope of better leadership and conditions in the country they live in. Syria from 2011 is an example of this kind of 'war'. Yet "People Power" is not new - it goes back to Biblical times.

6. 'Civil war' within one Country. In some cases it may not be so much against a specific Leader, (like what we have seen in 2011 - 12) but part of a nation, (maybe tribal based divisions), against another part, which can become in some situations, a Civil war. There is an example of this in the Tanakh, so you can read about it later in this study. This seems a specially tragic kind of warfare.

7. Leader led war on one group within his Nation. Since the 20th C. there have been some very terrible examples of this, (maybe not called 'Civil war') but one group of people separated out for elimination, killed and traumatised as 6 million Jews were in the Shoah/ Holocaust in Germany. Stalin also killed millions of Jews and Christians in Russia.

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PRINCIPLES FROM THE TANAKH - FOR ALL OF TIME AND BEYOND!

1. The Sovereign God of the Universe only desires what is good for all people.

ADONAI ELOHIM wanted this Earth that He specifically created and gave to mankind to have dominion over, to be under His loving direction, as a holy partnership. Genesis 1 & 2 records this. Psalm 84: 11 says, “For the LORD God is a sun and shield; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless.”  Even more, He gives blessings to the ‘righteous and unrighteous’ always hoping for them to acknowledge Him.

2. The Sovereign LORD God either initiates or permits all events of people’s lives.

There is nothing ADONAI does not know or see, including secret thoughts.
 [Tehellim/ Psalm 139, in the Tanakh, tells us this clearly.]
In different words, YHWH ~ the LORD ~ 'Ha Shem' always allows what happens, although He usually doesn't actually send or cause it. All wars are the result of mankind's collective choices to do evil: greed over land or resources, power seeking and desire to dominate.

> So, God Himself used 'war' to punish Israel at times, (or other nations) for breaking His Laws of kindness and true justice - by the people as a whole becoming unjust and cruel. If there has been an unacceptable level of abject cruelty for a long time, by any nation or Community, then God does act to punish the unspeakable evil that has been going on, the result of all forms of rebellion against Almighty God, Himself.
See Amos 8: 4 - 7.

> God abhors cruelty to innocent or weak people. Sacrificing babies and children by fire, was a common ancient practice by nations, like the Canaanites, (and many other idol worshipping nations), and was the reason for severe punishment allowed by God against such peoples. Yet abortion is just as evil in our modern societies; - as is the fourth largest financial Business in the world, - of 'sex trading' of young girls, young women, and even young boys! Pornography and drug trading are equally as bad, in the worship of MONEY.

THE TANAKH IS CLEAR:
"EVIL - AND ITS FAIR REWARD ARE CHAINED IRREVOCABLY TOGETHER."

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INSET: If you find it hard to follow the reasoning in this article, because you genuinely find it hard to believe in the Tanakh, or 'God', or that there is a 'supernatural reality' in the universe, or that there was a Creator, (because you favour Evolutionary theories)...
We ask you just to consider one question:
'Where does the concept in every human being ~ of 'right' and 'wrong' come from?' 
In other words where do we get a 'moral consciousness' from?
So while we respect your beliefs or 'Faith' we suggest that it is impossible to really study the subject of 'war' unless you accept there is such a thing as 'Right' and ' Wrong'.
No book in the world is as reliable on this subject as the TANAKH.
So please just read our explanations at least to think about?
We only want to comfort and encourage people who are, or could be affected by a real war in this 21st century, when weapons are worse that any time in the whole of History and greater high-tech means of delivering them.
You can read about the Tanakh, here ~ and about God here and here.

THE TRUTH IS THAT 'SATAN' - A POWERFUL EVIL SUPER-NATURAL BEING IS THE LEADER OF ALL LIES, CRUELTY, DECEPTION, GREED AND CRUELTY.

We learn about Satan's existence in the Tanakh, where we can read about his origins and motives and devices he like to use. Isaiah 14: 3 - 20 uses 'Babylon' as a symbolic representative of Satan. Lucifer, Dragon, Beast, Monster, Serpent depict him too.
He has always tried to defy the Holy Almighty Creator, by ‘stealing’ from God, knowing that the only way He could ‘attack’ ADONAI God, and hurt Him was to attack people.

> Satan hoped to manipulate people. ~ (People are the most precious ones in the whole of creation), therefore Satan wanted to use the precious gift of freewill  ~ that God had given to us ~ to turn us against God! Satan started this soon after Creation. Genesis 3.

> In this way, because of Satan's attack on the first people, this provoked God’s anger against Satan and it was very determined. Genesis 3: 1 – 8.
"Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the other animals ADONAI God [Elohim] had made... He said to the woman: "Did God really say 'you must not eat from any tree in the garden?' [The woman corrected him - showing that she knew exactly what God had said, "only a special one in the center - or you will die." Sadly Satan convinced her of his lie, instead of the TRUTH of God's loving words. You need to read the whole piece for yourself.] "So she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband ... and he ate it."
 It does not matter what 'fruit' it was, it was the act of unbelief and rebellion that mattered!

> ADONAI immediately declared 'war' against Satan and all evil (and it’s outcome)!
 “I will put enmity [WAR!] between the woman, and between your offspring and hers. He will crush your head!” Genesis 3:15, was God's brief summary that foretold that One of the Woman's offspring, (a specially good Son, born literally as a human to the Israeli Nation) that would one day chose to fight the battle against Satan in God's Name, and for His Glory! This is how it was described in the Tanakh, in Isaiah 53: 5.
"My Servant... was pierced for our breaking of God's Laws," [i.e. 'transgressions'], "He was crushed for our iniquities," [any thought or act that was wrong and not good'.]

> It is worth noting, that it is often innocent soldiers or good people who take the 'punishment' of suffering in a War, on behalf of families, friends and Country.

> This has been the story of the whole of history, good versus evil, and it has continued and will until one special Day, ADONAI destroys and gets rid of all evil, forever!

> Therefore, behind every terrible, small or large war - is this 'spiritual battle'.
It has continued ever since, and will not end - until GOD El SHADDAI fights the FINAL war with Satan’s permanent destruction as described in the Tanakh in Isaiah 13. "I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their sins." [Read this chapter.]

The Holy God ~ ADONAI ~ of Peace and Glory will win the final battle!
It is good to be on His side, in a relationship with Him as the 'Royal Father'.

IN SUMMARY>
So we see in the process of history, past, present and future, many wars have been instigated by the Satanic influence on mankind through mans’ own sinful decisions. However those who fight against the evil ~ have been on the side of 'Good', and many involved in this way, have only done it for love of others.
The Tanakh gives very many examples of: Wars against evil people.

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A ~ EXAMPLES OF ‘WARS’ EXCLUSIVELY CONDUCTED BY GOD!
[See definitions & causes of war, above. *]
Note: In Jeremiah 51: 56, one of the special Names of God, is
 ‘YAWEH GEMULAH’, ‘ADONAI/ LORD of RETRIBUTION’.
~ Our Holy ADONAI is a just God against SIN. ~

1. The Flood.
Genesis 6:5-7, “The LORD saw how great man’s wickedness on the Earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The LORD was grieved…' I will wipe mankind that I have created from the face of the Earth – men and animals… and birds… for I am grieved'.”

2. The total destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Genesis 18: 20 records a conversation with Abraham, “The LORD said, ‘the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah are so great and their sin is so grievous, I will go down and see… then I will know’.” Genesis 19: 1 – 29.
Then God used His WMD that He only could use.
> “The LORD rained down burning sulphur on Sodom and Gomorrah.”  

3. The 10 Plagues of Egypt, described in Exodus chapters 7 - 11 as those terrible plagues you may have listed at 'Pasach' - were all specifically against some filthy and evil 'gods' of Egypt. Remember? The river, 'Hopi (which was turned to blood), the goddess Haqt of frogs, and then gnats. But the Israelis alone, were not affected by the last 7 plagues that cursed the prosperous but wicked land of Egypt. So God protected, the imperfect Israelite People, because of His promises to Avraham, Isaac and Yacov, and for His hopeful love of this chosen Nation of people!
> You will see ADONAI will do the same in this Millennium!
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4. The complete destruction of Egypt’s army at the Read Sea. 
Just read Exodus 14: 18-31! “The Egyptians were fleeing… The LORD swept them into the sea… the entire army of Pharaoh… not one of them survived!”
> Only a very powerful and Holy GOD could do a thing like that!

5. Years later, God used ‘panic tactics’ against the Aramean army in the time of Elisha as 2 Kings 7 tells. “The LORD had caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots and horses and a great army… So they got up and fled in the dusk…and ran for their lives!’  It took 4 starving lepers to bravely enter the camp to discover what God alone had done to Israel’s huge enemy army in one night. Completely routed!
> It's a great story to read! Please read it for yourself.

6. Again (in the time of the kings of Judah), 2 Kings 19:35 tells how “the Angel of the LORD went out and put to death 185,000 men in the Assyrian camp”, at the time of Hezekiah, so saving Israel from even needing to fight! Isaiah 37:36 reports God’s promise, “I will defend this City and save it,” but we should note first in chapter 37: 21 -38 ~
>It was in answer to the king’s urgent prayer in which he used God's Name 12 times!

7. Yet there was a time when God punished Israel after a long time.
Sadly there were times when the LORD fought the disobedience and lack of truthful dependence in His own People…. in the desert, (Numbers 11:33, 14:37 & 16:46) Later, 70,000 “men of Israel” died in the time of King David. (2 Samuel 24:15  & 16, & 1 Chronicles 21:13-15.) How seriously we need to take the significant words of a Rabbi in 1st Century C.E.  “See that you don’t reject the One Who spoke. For if those did not escape who rejected Him when He gave Divine warning on Earth – think how much less we will escape if we turn away from Him when He warns from Heaven…”  This warning ends with the truth, “Our God is a consuming fire!”
The mystery of the Suffering of Jewish people is given in the warnings of the Prophets in the Tanakh, over and over again, if you read just Isaiah and Jeremiah.

> Because God is Holy He hates sin! But remember God’s enormous mercy, too!

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B. GOD EVEN USED ‘1 PERSON’ ISRAELI  'ARMIES' AS WELL ~ IN THE TANAKH!
Sometimes the most surprising people!
Also most amazing weapons ~ just faith in God, and what they had available!!!

> Shamgar, probably a foreigner, now a leader in Israel saved the nation, in Judges 3:31, he “struck 600 Philistines with an ox-goad”.  Good work! Hope he got a medal!

> A strong woman, prevented a cruel fate for her city in Judges 9:52-55…” Abimelech [a very cruel and evil man] went to the tower and stormed it. But as he approached the entrance to the tower to set it on fire, a woman dropped an upper millstone on his head and cracked his skull". He didn’t die straight away but he did not want it to look as if it was a woman who’d killed him so he got a servant to stab him to death. ”When the Israelites saw that Abimelech was dead, they all went home”. What a good idea!

> Samson killed 1000 Philistine enemies with the jawbone of a donkey! (Judges 15: 15.) Some soldiers have a mixture of good deeds and sometimes, foolish ones. Yet God can use those who finally turn to Him in sacrificial prayer as Samson did as he died.
Please note: 'Philistines' are no longer in existence. Arabs are NOT 'Philistines'.

> Elisha captured the God-blinded enemies in 2 Kings 6:8-23 and deflected war by kindness! “As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed, ‘strike these people with blindness.’ So God did - allowing Elisha to lead them all away to the main city, Samaria, where he prayed again, “’LORD open the eyes of these men so they can see’.” Now the king offered to kill them. But Elisha had a better idea –which the king did – making a great feast for them, and sending them home to their master!
 [Talk about ‘how to win friends and influence people’ – but sadly – it is not always feasible to do this with fanatics!]

>Yet in modern times Israel has given top medical care to many Arab Palestinians,
who politically are against Israel.

> Another wise woman in 2 Samuel 20: 14-22 saved her city, by the punishment of 1 bad man. “All the troops came… and built a siege ramp up to the city… While they were battering the wall to bring it down, a wise woman called from the city. ‘Listen, listen!’ and then asked to speak to the Leader, who agreed to listen to her, and her suggestion. The result was the death of one traitor, and so then [the Leader] “sounded the trumpet, and his men dispersed from the city, each returning to his home.”  

> A result we would pray for, from every war and battlefield.

> David as a young shepherd boy, visiting his soldier brothers, virtually won the war against the evil Philistines, when he killed their great [9ft tall] leader, Goliath!
Please read and think all about it ~ in 1st Samuel 17.

It has been said that, “ONE PERSON, WITH GOD, IS A MAJORITY”.
Did you know that you could prove that for yourself if you trust ADONAI completely!

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C. GOD ALLOWED A ‘ CIVIL’ WAR.
 (An example of God’s permissive will, surely - but for a real reason).

> In Judges 19 & 20, is a tragic story of unspeakable cruelty against one woman, (the partner of an innocent priest) when a gang of wicked men of the tribe of Benjamin killed her.  As a result the whole of Israel came against Benjamin, a war seemingly sanctioned by God in verse 35. “The LORD defeated Benjamin before Israel…”

There was a right reason for this, and still to this time, with the re-establishment of the nation of Israel in their own Land, Israel regards the killing or kidnapping of one soldier, as very serious, even giving over enemy prisoners for the release of one soldier.

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D. AMAZING TRUE STORIES OF GOD-ASSISTED WARS. [See #3 below!]

Some wars have been specifically ordered by God to punish evil nations.
Scripture has many examples, especially those on behalf of Israel, from the battle of Jericho ~ to the final "War of Armageddon"…

 1. When Joshua was fighting the Amalekites, before the Nation had actually crossed in the "Land of Promise." There is an outstanding example of Israel winning a tough battle, like the time God helped Joshua win a very fierce battle in answer to the intercession of Moses (and Aaron and Hur) on the hill above.
The graphic story is in Exodus 17:8-15 which introduces another Name of God.

“Moses built an altar and called it– YAWEH NISSI –‘THE LORD MY BANNER’; for hands were lifted up to the throne of the LORD’.” Prayer still wins battles!

2. The well-known story of Joshua 'fighting' the battle of Jericho, is an amazing and exciting story in Joshua chapter 6. Worth re-reading for yourself! The final conclusion one can make about this interesting story, is God can use Hi People to win by His miraculous help!  MANY people believe this is how modern Israel won the fist war for their survival in 1948, and each war since then! And Israel's God is just the same today! There are at least 2 special future 'wars' for Israel, which ADONAI will use to bless them! Read Jeremiah 49: 37 - 39 about Iran, and Ezekiel 38 & 39, about Islam in the Magog war.

3. God made time stand still, just to finish a Battle!!! In Joshua 10:1-15 is the amazing story of even ‘time standing still! “On the day the LORD gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua said to LORD ~ in the presence of Israel:

 'O sun, stand still... O moon...'
 The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the LORD listened to a man. Surely the LORD was fighting for Israel!”  

When scientists were using God-given rules of physics, etc to figure out the times and protectorates for sending a space vehicle on a planned mission, they were puzzled that there seemed to be a mistake in their calculations. However: "Recent research by atomic and space scientists has revealed a startling event. Whilst plotting a programme ahead for space shots and taking into account astronomy patterns over the next 2,000 years the scientists have had to look that far back, into the past. For 23 hours, 40 minutes, about 2,000 years ago, there was an unaccountable gap in the time period.  One scientist concluded that the Earth was forced into a reverse rotation sufficient to cancel out the normal movement. It questioned whether some 'heavenly body' could have caused this change in the Earthly pattern?

We know from the accurate Biblical Record in Joshua's book,
what happened and why! ~ It was Israel's Creator ADONAI!

However ~ speaking of war we note: in this same chapter it is also recorded that more of Israel’s enemy died of the hailstones, surely sent by God than by the soldiers!

4. In a later event ~ God completed the 20 minutes needed, [to complete one 24 hour day] by giving Hezekiah, King of Judah a sign to re-assure him, "That the LORD will do what He has promised." He did this by stopping the shadow on the sun dial from moving, to complete the needed 20 minutes for one day, at that time as a sign to the king of God's reliability! Read the whole event Isaiah 38: 7 & 8.   

IMPORTANT NOTE:
These stories indicate that it is right to PRAY for the LORD’S help in a war, especially on behalf of His People, and for the honour of God’s NAME!

IT IS ALSO GOOD TO NOTE ANOTHER SPECIAL NAME FOR ADONAI.
It is in Judges 6; 24: 'YAWEH SHALOM',
'The God of PEACE'
It is good to notice it is also given in several places in the TANAKH ~
Emphasising God's real Character and desire!

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A> WHAT ABOUT MODERN WAR CONCEPTS?

1. All through the main history of ADONAI’S dealing with His chosen Nation of Israel, we see that He expected them to see themselves as just that – His People, through whom, He so much wanted to bless the whole world of people!
> They were to be the example of a Holy People in a Holy Land!

2. Yet over and over again ADONAI sent prophets with an urgent call to them to fulfill the conditions He looked for – summed up by the prophet Micah.

“He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To do justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
 It was never about rituals and religious regulations, but about and inner heart attitude of complete trust in El Shaddai, a God who looked for the love of His loved People!
> Yet some people believe that is a modern, radically, impossible idea!

3. The reality was that somehow when almost everyone had forgotten about God's love, ~ Israel as a nation chose to copy the terrible - even cruel and stupid ways of other nations.
So, sadly as a nation divided, and rebellious, some 582 years BCE, ADONAI finally fulfilled the warnings He had given, [because He is Holy] and sent Israel away into exile!
> Yet ADONAI was still preparing for His real plan, of a Holy People, based on a New Covenant relationship, with them.

4. It would be by God's call ~ and the willing response of individuals in the nation! So to Ezekiel the Prophet in Babylon God wrote the formula in chapter 18, after 30 verses of repeated examples He concludes, “ ‘Therefore I will judge each one according to his ways’, declares the Sovereign LORD. ‘Repent!  Get a new heart, and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel’?” [Composed of individuals.] “For I take no pleasure in the death of any one’, declares the Sovereign LORD. ‘Repent and live’!”
> Each member of God's chosen nation of Israel must individually choose God.

5. So ADONAI was preparing the concept of a New Principle, which would make them "His Holy People" ~ so that would ensure Israel of Victory, and peace, instead of the constant threat of war! " 'In those days and at that time,' declares ADONAI, 'search will be made for Israel's guilt, but there will be none, and for the sins of Judah ~ but none will be found, for I will forgive the Remnant I spare'." Jeremiah 50: 20.
> This reminds us that Isra'el's God has realistic plans to bless His chosen people.

6. This would mean victory, peace and security, ~ although it would be conditional on Israel's true relationship with a Holy God.
These are spelt out so lovingly in Isaiah chapters 48 & 49. Was God weeping when He summed it up in verse 17 – 19? “This is what the LORD says – your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: ‘I AM the LORD your God, Who teaches you what is best for you, Who directs you in the way you should go. If only you had paid attention to My commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea. Your descendants would have been like the sand, your children like its numberless grains; their name would never be cut off, [in war] nor destroyed before Me’.”  This is still the way ADONAI feels about today's Jews ~ not only in Israel.

7. The glorious, victorious, joyful result is repeated many times by the ancient prophets of Israel! Take just a few verses from one Prophet ~ Jeremiah 30: 18 - 22!
"This is what ADONAI says: 'I will restore the fortunes of Jacob's tents,'  [the true descendents of Jacob, (the original prince called ' Isra'el' by God) ~ all true, ethnic Jews;] 'and have compassion on his dwellings; The City will be rebuilt on her ruins, and the Palace will stand on its proper place.
From them will come songs of thanksgiving, and the sound of rejoicing!
I will ad to their numbers, and they will not be decreased. I will bring them HONOUR, and they will not be disdained... I will punish all who oppress them.
Their Leader will be one of their own, their Ruler will arise from among them.
I will bring him near and he will come close to ME... declares ADONAI'."

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B> SO ~ IN THE 21ST CENTURY WILL ISRAEL BE INVOLVED IN WAR AGAIN?

> All war is evil, but as we have shown in the examples above GOD can use wars for good purposes. This will be the specific reasons for the next 2 wars, for Israel, (referred to above). However it would take too long to explain the details of the wars, or the specific reasons here. [A Google search of 'Iran ~Israel' may lead to suitable articles, also 'Gog and Magog, what do they mean?' but they are for Christians mainly, so be prepared!]

> Israel's attitude to war is clear to see ~ by those who want to see the truth.

Modern Israel would prefer to solve differences by negotiations, or if forced into a war, to use all methods possible to spare innocent Civilians in war zones.

"Mercy in the midst of the judgement of war" is a principle respected in many parts of the Western world, and even Parts of Africa and Asia. Therefore, especially since the rise of 'Humanism' and the so called 'Age of enlightenment' from about the mid 1800's with the spread of people to new areas of the world and modern means of Travel and communications, concepts of more 'merciful' rules of warfare and attitudes to war generally, started to emerge, in some places. However circumstances have to be faced realistically especially in war situations. This leads to the next principle.

> Any Nation has the right to defend itself, even when this means a war, which is often decided, according to the weapons being used to threaten a country.
It is clear from all the Tanakh examples, that national wars would still be part of the world's experience, even into this 21st century.  
It may be good to look at the reasons for wars at the beginning of this article.
Greed, lust for power, territorial disputes and strong ideologies are the main factors.

> Immanent threats, or actual attacks, justify a thoughtful military response.
So that: when a nation is attacked as a nation, there is every right to fight and resist the evil, as humanely as possible within the bounds of possibility. This applies to Israel, who has been forced in their short existence as a tiny, modern nation of 6 million, in a small area of land, barely 120 miles by 90 - to fight neighbouring nations of 350 million - for their very survival! [Also note: ADONAI knew about every war, long before they happened!]

> In today's world, every writer feels justified in criticising events 'post war'.
We have noted elsewhere, that it often shows a biased attitude of ignorance - based on an unjust assessment of the facts, to criticise a nation in this regard – especially the nation of Israel. "The Goldstone report on the 'Gaza War' was a glaring example of this!

> Often other atrocious wars have had little attention paid to them. It should be noted that 1000’s of innocent people are being killed in murders in Western nations, in religious terrorist attacks of Muslims against Muslims, Muslims against Hindus, and all the horrific wars in Asia, (Cambodia, etc), African and South American nations and in indiscriminate terrorist attacks in major cities! E.G. Mumbai, in India in 2009, USA, '9/11', London, etc.

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C> ‘RECENT’ WARS AND WARS OF THE FUTURE.

There is NO doubt that many wars of the last 2000 years were totally unjust and evil.  However, in modern times, many people would say examples of wars that were won with the help of God, were the 1^st and 2^nd World Wars, centered in Europe and the Pacific.
Certainly they were the first truly worldwide wars, with the introduction of new technology, never before known of, with more horrific results in the number of deaths and ensuing sorrows of famine, plagues, disasters and mine fields. The Prophets foretold this.

Also they have led to increasing levels of evil of all kinds.
It is a fact that there has been a great increase in every kind of war, worldwide!

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D> FROM SCRIPTURE WE SEE FUTURE WARS WILL BE FOCUSED ON THE M. E.

> All of the wars Israel has been required to fight since their existence as a re-established Nation in their own Land, in 1948, have truly been examples of God assisted wars! We will not explain more, as whole books have been written about this.

Discerning people who love God and love Israel, call these ‘miracles’ that showed the impossible ‘odds’ – yet God helped Israel win, in each of the 6 main wars, fought since 1949, in ’56, ’67, ’73, '78 ’82, in Lebanon, and the weird ‘Intefada’s’ - first '87 -'93, then 2000 - '05 - terrorist attacks, when costs were great, in resources, man-power, and victims!

> The fact is, that legally Israel won all of these wars, though this is not accepted by other nations. While each war represented so much anti-Israel and anti-God activities of Satan, God has used them in different ways. Several times they were able to gain more territory - even the whole of the City of Jerusalem in 1967, making it possible to declare it to be “The eternal, indivisible, Capital City of Israel.” Great lessons were learned too.

> Welding Israel into one Nation. The potential threat of war, also has meant that every young person, male and female, (with some exceptions for religious students) were required to train in the Israeli Defence Force, [IDF] so bringing the nation together in a disciplined way, inspite of coming from over 120 different countries. It means that the IDF is always in a state of war-readiness, which has been crucial each time they were attacked, usually giving little time to prepare.

> Even since the year 2000, Israel was brought into short wars, twice.
In mid-year 2006 Israel found herself involved in a seventh war, which again, we must believe, was allowed by The Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel for a reason. We believe ‘The Israel – Gaza - Lebanon War’, then the 2nd Gaza war in 2009, could be seen to be the pre-curser to a time of some ‘peace and prosperity’, which will prepare for God’s next intervention on Israel’s behalf. [The Bible indicates that other wars in the world will continue. Daniel wrote, “War will continue until the End,” chapter 9:26.]

> First, Israel must have a time of feeling secure and at peace, according to Ezekiel 38. This is stated clearly in verses 8, 11 and 14: "a Land that has recovered from war..." ~ "a peaceful and unsuspecting People, all of them living without walls..." ~ "When My People are living in safety..." It seems impossible, especially early 2012, when the threats and influence of IRAN against Israel is considered! Yet it WILL happen.

 God's written Word must be seen as totally reliable!

D -1. SO ISRAEL'S NEXT WAR [1st of 2 more significant ones] WILL BE WITH IRAN.

This will fulfill another Prophecy of Jeremiah, writing some 500 years BCE, in chapter 49: 37 - only one verse! [Remember it is the Most High God of Israel speaking.]
"I will shatter Iran before their foes... I will bring disaster on them... I will pursue them with the sword... and destroy her 'king' and officials', declares ADONAI."
 [Some translations use the ancient name of 'Elam' which is now 'Iran'. "Swords" equate to modern weapons that Jeremiah knew nothing about! But it will all happen - even in 2012!]

> The resulting promised security and apparent 'peace', will enable Israel to become even more prosperous, developing the resources of gas especially, but they will be isolated even more at that time, "A nation alone" it is called in the Tanakh.
See Numbers 23: 9, -God, speaking through Balaam, Deut. 33: 28, Moshe's last prophecy: "Israel will live in safety alone". It has never been true in the whole of Israel's 3,000 years, but it will surely be true, some year soon! Other Scriptures indicate that they will prosper, so probably the exceptions will be for essential trade (which can be done by the Internet, etc - not by actual contact), plus Tourists going to Israel, especially Christians.

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D - 2. YET THE MOST CRUCIAL WAR OF ALL FOR ISRAEL IS THE FOLLOWING ISLAMIC 'MAGOG WAR'!

>This one crucial war is the ~ only future war described in detail ~ in Scripture!
It will be ADONAI against ‘Gog and Magog’. The difference with this next special war is, that Israel will not be able, nor need to fight in the conventional war mould we have known. Israel's 'suffering' will be because of the threat and fear of the Magog Army on their northern Border. This fear and the quick relief that will come is described in Jer. 30: 4 - 11..

This is how God will want it to be, for a special reason!

This is because this 'Magog war' will be waged by the sovereign acts of The Sovereign LORD alone!
This is the Ezekiel War (of 38 & 39) specific to the Middle East, which ends with great blessings for Israel, and great honour to God, but will have very serious worldwide implications, bringing global disaster as a result of great earthquakes. Best you read the details in any Bible for yourself, Ezekiel ch. 38 & 39. The details given are amazing both for Israel, and for their Islamic, Russian-led Army! Very Important to know about! >However in honesty, we remind ourselves of God’s unchanging longings for Israel.

" 'In those days and at that time' declares ADONAI, the People of Israel and the People of Judah will go in tears to seek ADONAI their God. They will ask the way to [the true spiritual - not political] ZION, and turn their faces toward it.
They will come and bind themselves to YHWH in an everlasting Covenant that will not be forgotten'." Jeremiah 50: 4 & 5.

ZION was really meant to represent ADONAI and His Presence in Jerusalem!
These verses are absolutely crucial in understand that ADONAI only wants GOOD for every person, and especially every individual in Israel! Yet He allows wars for Israel.

> Remember though that ADONAI grieves over every death in Israel, whether by abortions or vehicle accidents or diseases or in wars!

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So these thoughts prepare us to think about -

E > 1. THE PURPOSES OF WAR IN THE MIND AND PLANS OF ADONAI,
'THE GOD OF JUSTICE'.

>> To remove evil powers, but always after a very long time of patience with them.
An example is found in Genesis 15:16 where God revealed to Abraham a future 400 year ‘interval’ for his Israelite descendants in Egypt. "In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure.”  God also indicated He would “punish the nation, (Egypt) they served as slaves…”  

Whoever hurts God’s People, hurts God Himself!

>> To discipline His people, but always ensuring that a remnant would be saved to benefit from the sad lessons of war.  Most of the Bible enhances this theme, but we praise God for verses like Nehemiah 9: 27, “You handed them over to their enemies… but in Your great compassion you gave them deliverers…” 

>> To show His own glorious saving power and love!  This is especially emphasised in the 47 times in the book of Ezekiel where the repeated phrase is “then they will know that I AM the Sovereign LORD!”  God gave this as a reason for His destruction of the Egyptian army – remember Exodus 14?

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E > 2. IS THIS ANY HELP IN CONSIDERING THE WARS OF THIS CENTURY?

a) ADONAI will be shown to be Sovereign in every serious event, and in answer to prayer He will be glorified as He promised. Your prayers and mine!

b) ADONAI hates the evil power which caused suffering under Communism but is also especially seen in Muslim nations, which according to many records show so much cruelty, from regimentation to torture and repression over the years. 
Sometimes God uses one evil power to punish another, e.g. allowing a million deaths over the 8 years of the Iraq/Iran war alone.  This does not include the pain of the number of refugees from these nations, all over the world, partly fulfilling the prophecy of Jeremiah 49:34-39 and only true in our day! (Elam is the ancient name of Iran).
Afghanistan, for many years also a hotbed of great evil and cruelty and drugs.
Countries in Africa, Asia and Sth America have also suffered unbelievable cruelty.
God notices, and will deal with those He chooses to punish, in HIS time.

c) Finally (soon) God’s actions, which will weaken the power of Islam, in preparation for the ‘One World Religion’ of the false prophet of Rev.13. The claim that Allah is ‘the great god’ is a blasphemy which ADONAI, the HOLY ONE of ISRAEL Himself will deal with - especially through the ‘war’ described in Ezekiel 38 and 39, very possibly within a few years from the beginning of this century. [See point D 2 above.]

d) Also ~ our belief from the Tanakh is that even that war will also hasten great blessings being available to Muslims.  This could be one of the strategic results of the above point, and so in Isaiah 19: 23-25, ADONAI says, “In that day the three will be a blessing on the Earth ~ Egypt My people ~ Assyria My handiwork, and  Israel ~ My inheritance”.  This will happen but it means the worldwide influence of Islam must be broken before millions of people can be freed from the power of Islam. [See point D 2]

e) It seems clear that in any future wars ADONAI'S PROPHETIC WORDS in the TANAKH will show clearly that El Shaddai ADONAI is the Supreme God ~ which will vindicate those of us who believe in Him!  This very clear in all of Ezekiel 36 - 39!

f) Even the M.E rebel events 'for changes in Government and the anti-capalist protest marches, and the recent Humanistic teaching of Gaia and 'Danger to the Planet theories' are all preparing for the One World Government and religion, attended as they are by every religious group from ‘moderate’ Muslims to liberal Christians to Hindus, to Asian peoples.  Even those who would probably call themselves atheists, and ‘Greenies’ - that will be part of the one world religious ‘party’, claiming to bring 'peace'.

g) Any time of peace which the world, (or any part of it) claims to be enjoying, can only be a ‘false peace’, for without ADONAI there can never be real Peace for a whole Nation.

Looking for peace without the True God of the TANAKH and Creation is useless!

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WHAT CAN GOD-FEARING PEOPLE DO RIGHT NOW?

We can include prayers for all those involved in wars, who honour
~The Supreme LORD of Hosts, ~

We could use the prayer of King David in Psalm 144…
 “Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.
He is my loving God and my Fortress, my Stronghold, and my Deliverer, my Shield in whom I take refuge… Part Your Heavens, O LORD, and come down; touch the mountains [of Evil] so that they smoke. Send forth lightening and scatter the enemies, shoot Your arrows and rout them.

Reach down Your hand from on High; deliver me, and rescue me.”

We endorse the words Moshe/ Moses spoke to all Israel,
 (as they contemplated claiming ‘the Promised Land’ 3,500+ years ago).
It was used in 2006 as a rallying call in Israel:
~ yet knowing that only ADONAI gives strength ~
 “Chazak Ve emat!” ~ “Be strong and resolute!”

>This Article about 'War in the Tanakh' is being written in February of 2012, because we feel some of the Biblical prophecies we have noted above could happen this year, such as ADONAI and Israel, against IRAN. Jer. 49: 37! Be very sure we are praying for you!

But we also add, “Do not be afraid or terrified because of [the enemy], for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you or forsake you!”  
Deuteronomy 31: 6, & Verse 8 adds, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
AMEN! ~ SO BE IT!
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