Trinity Plus 2 (2024)

There are many metaphors that the Bible gives us to think about a season like Trinity. We can think of farming. We actually wear green as a sign that God is growing a harvest in this church. Farming wheat is popular but also tending a vineyard. Then there is shepherding a flock. The metaphor we are invited into this morning by our lectionary is the metaphor of war. The church is at war.

Saint Paul reminds us that our war in not against flesh and blood but the powers and principalities not at work in this present darkness. Meaning we are not fighting our fellow man but the devil and his minions, who lead men astray.

The Ancient church actually would distinguish the church here and the church in heaven by talking about the church militant, vs. the church triumphant. The monastic movement, especially in the east it about the front line of fighters on behalf of the church, but all Christians are to be inspired by their example and helped in the fight.

Anglican Christianity which is obsessed with its monastic rhythms is meant to train its people in prayer so that we would be able to fight the good fight of faith.

So the thing we want to tease out today is how the way of preparing for battle in the Old Testament can help train New Testament people.

The Text: Deuteronomy is a gathering of sermons Moses gives to the people as they prepare to enter the promised land. The people first get the Law of Moses at Mt. Siani 40 years earlier. They are immediately disobedient and are punished to wander for 40 years as that generation dies out and the next generation prepares to enter the promised land. So Moses is going to give them a sermon reminding them of God’s faithfulness and his law, but also preparing them for the warfare they will encounter when they go into the land.

So chapter 20 verses 1-9 are some laws about how to be ready for war. There are two major sections. Section one: What should our attitude be as we approach the Battle?

[1] “When you go out to war against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them, for the LORD your God is with you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.

[2] And when you draw near to the battle, the priest shall come forward and speak to the people

[3] and shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel, today you are drawing near for battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint. Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them,

[4] for the LORD your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.’

So the Israelites had been in the desert and had kept some sheep and cattle but not horses and no chariots. All they knew about Chariots was that the big bad Egyptians had them (like tanks). So to come against this triad of death (Horses, Chariots and Armys) would have been insurmountably scary. But if you scroll down to verse three you see God has his own triad of promises. Do not fear, panic or dread. What ever power the enemy has the Lord can check!

What is the means for which God comforts us, he does so by his word brought by the priests… don't worry the Irony is not lost on me.

But verse 4 reminds us that it is not the work of the priests that is meant to comfort us, it is his work bringing the word of God. and shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel, today you are drawing near for battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint. Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them,

[4] for the LORD your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.’

There is also in this section a set of exclusions, not everyone was to go into Battle.

[5] Then the officers shall speak to the people, saying, ‘Is there any man who has built a new house and has not dedicated it? Let him go back to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man dedicate it.

This is not the work of the priest but of primary warriors. “Officer” suggests a level of organization that was probably not there. This was the beginning of battlefield organization but it was primitive. Usually, an officer was the head of the tribe that brought a particular group into battle.

[6] And is there any man who has planted a vineyard and has not enjoyed its fruit? Let him go back to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man enjoy its fruit.

[7] And is there any man who has betrothed a wife and has not taken her? Let him go back to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man take her.’

We are going to get 4 exclusions, but three are not like the other. The first is a new house, a new vineyard, or a new marriage. It looks to me that God is protecting those who are in major transitions. Thing in their life are unstable. I want to mention a few things about that in a moment.

[8] And the officers shall speak further to the people, and say, ‘Is there any man who is fearful and fainthearted? Let him go back to his house, lest he make the heart of his fellows melt like his own.’

There is also this exclusion for those who are in fear. Fear is contagious, and is usually caused by something. God does not want the fear of others to so impact those who are around them. And so these folks are excluded from battle.

[9] And when the officers have finished speaking to the people, then commanders shall be appointed at the head of the people. (ESV)

Again we see the beginnings of army organization,

So the thing we want to tease out today is how the way of preparing for battle in the Old Testament can help train New Testament people.

Well, these are Old Testament commands for people about to go to physical war with other human armies at God’s command. This is the Word of God, but to a very different context, what should our context then be?

First off, the new covenant people (the church) is not at war with other human armies, but with the demonic. This does not ratchet things down, it rachets it up. Jesus tells us do not fear those who harm the Body fear those who can harm the soul. It is much more important. Dying in this life is way different than dying in the next. Dying in the next life is Hell!

Yet in light of these higher stakes, I don't think our posture should be irrational fear. It must be a posture of confidence in the Lord. The devil with his lust, gluttony, pride is worse than horses, chariots and armies. And yet, God has defeated all those sins.

Second off we need to remember that not everyone can engage the battle with the same ferocity at the same time.

There are times of major transitions in people's lives. New Businesses, big moves, new marriages. None of that is to be a greater focus than our relationship with God, but all of it can be taken into account. “There is new stuff going on in Bob’s life we need to stand with him.” But then Bob needs to get back to the Battles. This is a place where our church calender helps us. It gives natural on ramps.

We also need to be mindful of those who need a moment of healing.

Some people have just gotten back from the battle and might be wounded. The demonic might have used family drama, work drama, church hurt. There are times that our fight is to care for those who cannot fight.

And if you are in that category today, we would be glad to gather around you, put the oil of healing on your head and remind you of the healing power of Jesus.

So the thing we want to tease out today is how the way of preparing for battle in the Old Testament can help train New Testament people.

Brothers and sisters leave you today with these thoughts on Spiritual warfare, the Israelites did not fight well. They were often disobedient and allowed their hearts to be conquered by the god’s and cultures of others. Jesus who is the newer and better Israel, perfectly fights his battle. Satan tempts him to walk away from the suffering of the cross, and instead, he prays for God’s will. Not my will by yours be done. And he goes to the cross and allows himself to die violently in order to win spiritually. He defeats sin by taking it with him to hell. The Israelite's reward was to eat the fruit of the promised land. But they lose that fruit to disobedience. In Christ's perfect obedience we eat the fruit that he wins on our behalf. Communion is the reward for spiritual victory, not that we win, but what he has won for us. As we prepare this table today, let us ask God to use it to strengthen us to fight the battle of this Trinity Season.