Trees

O. T. #409                       "Trees"
November 17, 2014
Deuteronomy 20-Part 2
When you lay siege to a city for a long time, fighting against it to capture it, do not destroy its trees by putting an ax to the, because you can eat their fruit. do not cut them down. Deuteronomy 20:19a

LET IT GLOW

Trees. I take them for granted. I anticipate their green leaves in the early spring, after their baroness in the winter. Oh, the juicy apples, peaches, cherries, and pears to eat fresh. (Nothing like the variety of luscious fruits in the tropical countries.) Also, I enjoy the pecans and walnuts they produce in the fall just in time for holiday baking. Such beauty to see in our area of the array of colored leaves before they fall off. Just this morning I watched two huge red headed woodpeckers catch insects in our tree in the front yard. We are so blessed.
Did you know God gave Israel specific instructions dealing with trees? Continue to find out about it.

Have you ever thought about what the earth was like back in the Old Testament times?  We would all agree that the Lord created trees. Did you know there were trees in the middle east area back then? Yes, God blessed the people with regular trees and fruit trees. I know this because He gave instructions to Israel involving the trees of the field in verses 19-20.

When besieging a city, armies in the ancient world would cut down the trees to build ramps and weapons, as well as facilities for the long siege. However, Israel was not to use fruit trees in the siege of a city so they could later enjoy the fruit of the land God had given to them (7:12,13)  (MacArthur)

Do we even think about the value of trees? They provide shade in the hot summer, fuel in the cold winter, fruit and nuts for food, structure for buildings and furniture, beauty in the fall season, and decorating in the Christmas season. Also, trees provide homes and food for birds and squirrels. As I learned in school, the leaves take in the carbon dioxide that we give off, then give off oxygen that we breathe in, so there is a balance in our air and meeting our need. How wise is our God!

Now, I don't advocate going to extremes about loving trees, never cutting them down, nor making idols out of them. All of God's creation has its purpose. We are to worship the Creator, not the creation.

Are we thankful for the little things God provides for us? What kind of world would it be without them?

LET IT GROW

In this chapter, we read about the humanitarian principles which applied to time of war under the Mosaic law. We have discussed the duties of the priests encouraging the soldiers before hand, the officers and soldiers who were exempted from service.
What about the cities they were going to conquer in Canaan?

• First, Israel was to offer the city a chance to surrender peacefully before they attacked. Included in this agreement was their tribute collected for Israel and their subservience to the nation of Israel. The surrendered city would open the gates to signify their decision. (verses 10-13)
• A city not surrendered was to be completely destroyed with the sword, including all men of war.
• The women, children, and cattle were to be saved as spoil for Israel to have. These were to have lived in cities very far off. (verse 15)
• Israel was not allowed to keep those if their cities were in the Promised Land, which God directed for six nations, to be destroyed. Since idolatry was the sins of these nations, this prevented such a constant temptation for Israel.

The plunder found in the cities provided wages for the army and met expenses.
The cities in Canaan were not even offered peace, but were to be destroyed. God was protecting His children from the social, moral, and spiritual decay into idolatry. Did Israel obey these instructions for their battles? We will see in time.

Do we follow God's instructions from His Word? Do we trust Him to know what is best for us? Are we will to make sacrifices to be the example of being set apart from the world?


LET IT GO

Thank God for all His provisions. Appreciate the beauty of His creation.

Share His blessings with others.

Study His Word and follow His instructions for my life.

Joyfully sacrifice when it is required.