An Alternative to War

God has given man an alternative to war by offering His divine protection. Some say this is nonsense, yet God once prevented the attack of an invading army of one million men.

King Asa of Judah "had an army of three hundred thousand from Judah . . . Then Zerah the Ethiopian came out against them with an army of a million men and three hundred chariots, and he came to Mareshah.

"So Asa went out against him, and they set the troops in battle array in the Valley of Zephathah at Mareshah. And Asa cried out to the LORD his God, and said, 'LORD, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O LORD our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!' So the LORD struck the Ethiopians before Asa and Judah, and the Ethiopians fled" (2 Chronicles 14:10-12).

This type of intervention is noted several times in the Old Testament.

In the New Testament, Christ taught His followers to trust in God. He admonished: "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you ..." (Matthew 5:43-44). Jesus did not teach His followers to kill their enemies. GN