And the man of God was angry with him, and said, ‘You should have struck five or six times; then you would have struck Syria till you had destroyed it! – 2 Kings 13:19
God is not a pacifist. God ordains that His people go to war at times. There is “a time for war” (Ecclesiastes 3:8). [1] The Bible states that there is “no authority” (Greek exousia) or government, “except from God” (Romans 13:1). And of the God ordained governmental authorities it states, “For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil” (Romans 13:4).
Yes, there is a time for war. It is a mistake, shortsighted, and a misinterpretation of scripture to think that appeasement of an enemy is a higher, holier diplomatic position when governments are negotiating to keep the peace. Appeasers do not have a good track record historically. Neville Chamberlain (1869-1940) was a British statesman who served as Prime Minister of England. He traveled to Germany to negotiate with Adolf Hitler chancellor of Nazi Germany. Chamberlain negotiated what he thought was a peace treaty called the “Munich Agreement” in September of 1938. By September of 1939 Hitler had broken the treaty and World War II began. Appeasement doesn’t work.
Trying to pay off our enemies doesn’t work either. We are currently in a war with Iran to prevent them from acquiring nuclear weapon capability. President Trump is dealing with a world problem that previous administrations failed to deal with effectively. At the end of the Obama administration $400 million dollars cash on pallets was sent to Iran to supposedly pay an outstanding debt our nation owed. Another 1.3 BILLION was added to bring the total to 1.7 BILLION dollars. It was a thinly veiled attempt to secure Iran’s promise to refrain from pursuing nuclear weapon capabilities. The Obama and Biden administrations, rather than deal with the Iranian problem, threw money at it kicking the diplomatic can of war worms down the road for the next president to deal with. This led to the continued pursuit of nuclear weaponry by Iran.
When President Trump took office dealing with this Iranian problem was a top priority. In his inaugural speech he said he wanted to be known as a Peacemaker. He has negotiated peace in eight world war settings. But the Iranians proved obstinate and unresponsive to negotiations. Given their Islamic worldview that seeks to usher in their Mahdi (i.e. the Muslim version of Messiah) by way of world war, President Trump had no other choice but to intervene. Thankfully, President Trump is a man of steel and willing to utilize this nation’s military resources to deal with such an issue. There would be no more kicking this can down the road. As, “One nation under God,” we have a responsibility to use our God given resources to protect our citizenry. President Trump saw that peace and prosperity for our nation, and for the world could only survive and thrive with taking care of the war mongering Muslim clerics of Iran.
Iran calls Israel the “Little Satan,” and America the “Great Satan.” This has been the case since 1979 with the fall of the Shah and rise to power of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, a Shia Muslim cleric who led a revolution. The Shah had been a close ally of the United States, but the new Islamic Republic of Iran was to become our nation’s arch enemy. Ever since Iran has been connected to terror attacks on our nation: 1983 – Beirut barracks bombing in Lebanon; 1983 U.S. Embassy attacks in Beirut; 1984 U.S. Embassy annex bombing in Beirut; 1985 TWA flight 847 hijacking; 1996 Khobar Towers bombing; IEDs used against our troops in Iraq; 2011 assassination plot against our Ambassador to Saudi Arabia while on U.S. soil; ongoing threats to U.S. officials; and the proliferation of aggression on U.S. interests and people by Iranian proxy terrorist groups. Yes. The Islamic Iranian regime since 1979 has been a vicious enemy.
It should be mentioned here that there is presently a great uprising among the people of Iran part of whom is a thriving underground Church. It is believed the Church in Iran is the fasting growing church despite the despotic persecution afflicted upon them by the Muslim Iranian leadership. Those protesting against the United States intervention with Iran should ask an Iranian citizen how they feel. To them President Trump and the United States are heroes. They are waving the flag of the United States in Iran. They are thanking God for President Trump and our nation in Iran. They want to adopt our form of government. Could we be the answer to their prayers to God?
The Shia Muslim doctrinal belief is that a world war will create a situation where their messiah or “Mahdi” will come and establish a world Islamic caliphate. The thought of such a persistently aggressive and vicious nation, who is also hell bent on being a part of a world conflict involving Islam, getting nuclear weapon capability is not only a threat to America, but to the entire world. There was good reason for President Trump and his administration to intervene before Iran could acquire such a dangerous massive life destruction capability. There is a time for military intervention. There is, as the Bible says, a time for war.
But war should always be the last resort. And when it is the only final resort by “one nation under God,” it should be entered into according to the guidelines of that God. Wars must be based on a just cause (Deuteronomy 20). War, when necessary, should be carried out with clear righteous objectives. A war should not be motivated by vengeance as in His word the Lord states, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay” (Deuteronomy 32:35; Psalm 94:1; Romans 12:19; Hebrews 10:30). Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9). But as we see both in Biblical history and extra Biblical history, war is sometimes necessary to attain peace.
Pacifism is a worldview that does not accept war or physical confrontation as a possible solution to conflict resolution whether for individual or global situations. Given their reasoning if you were to see a child being beaten or abused by an adult you might go over to try and talk them into stopping the abuse, but you wouldn’t physically intervene. And globally war is never the answer even if it means your death. Personally, I would do whatever I could, including giving my life to defend and protect a child or anyone being attacked. At least I hope I’d have the courage to do that. But I would be more inclined to seeing an attacker give their own lives for their crime, than a victim or defender having to give their lives.
The reality is, the world is “under the sway of the wicked one” (1 John 5:19) who is, according to Jesus, a lying murderer (John 8:44). This lying murderous predator is prowling and devouring people wherever he goes (1 Peter 5:8). Therefore, physical self-defense and protection of the weak individually and war globally is sometimes going to be a necessity, and I believe a God ordained responsibility.
Pacifism is usually the product of applying nationally, scriptures that were intended for individuals. Where individuals are directed to “turn the other cheek” (Matthew 5:38-39), governments are ordained to enforce the Law. Where disciples of Jesus are instructed to “love your enemies” (Matthew 5:44), as a nation we may be directed by God to defeat them in war. Government bears the sword to keep the peace so that individuals do not have to wield the sword. Government is designed by God to defend those who cannot defend themselves. Government is ordained by God to prevent victimization. Government is put in place to defend its citizens from their enemies both foreign and domestic. Police serve the public and protect against criminals. The military protects us against foreign aggressors (though sometimes are needed to defend against insurrections). When individual scriptural instruction is conflated and applied more broadly to nations and international relations they do not always apply. Again, there are times where war is the only appropriate response.
When we look at what the Bible says about war, we see it advises against half measures. When the point of no return is reached and a physical response or war is called for, there can be no hesitation. If you’re going to war, go to war. Have an objective and fight through until it is reached. If it becomes clear that it is time to strike, then strike!
When It’s Time to Strike, Strike!
Elisha was one of the mightiest prophets of Israel. He performed twice as many miracles as his predecessor Elijah. He prayed and the dead came back to life. He prayed and metal ax heads floated. Toward the end of his life Israel was attacked and oppressed by the Syrians. The situation was so dire that the king of Israel Joash came before Elisha and wept before the prophet (2 Kings 13:14). Defeat was imminent, which meant great pain, suffering, and subjugation faced the nation and its people.
What Elisha the holy prophet advises King Joash at this point is important in war planning. In 2 Kings 13 it states:
15 And Elisha said to him, “Take a bow and some arrows.” So he took himself a bow and some arrows. 16 Then he said to the king of Israel, “Put your hand on the bow.” So he put his hand on it, and Elisha put his hands on the king’s hands. 17 And he said, “Open the east window”; and he opened it. Then Elisha said, “Shoot”; and he shot. And he said, “The arrow of the LORD’s deliverance and the arrow of deliverance from Syria; for you must strike the Syrians at Aphek till you have destroyed them.”
Let God guide you in the war. Elisha put his hands on the hands of the king, and they shot an arrow toward Syria, not just any arrow, but “the arrow of the LORD’s deliverance.” There are arrows and weapons that should be used on all levels and in any conflict. What are they?
The first step for the Christian individual, president, or leader to take when they are facing conflict is seek godly counsel. Then you and your counselor take ahold of the bow or weapon of prayer. Shoot your arrow of prayer up toward the Lord and let God guide your hands to deliverance. The first response to signs of trouble threatening to lead to conflict, is to seek the Lord’s direction and assistance. “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the LORD our God” (Psalm 20:7). Someone has said, “Prayer is the long-range artillery in spiritual warfare and any other warfare.”
Shoot the arrow of God’s word. Go to God’s word for your battle plans no matter the theatre of war you are involved in. Jesus defeated the devil in the wilderness war of the ages, and He did so with the word of God (Matthew 4).
Shoot the arrow of faith. Don’t whimper weakly but shout out your request and intent loud and clear. Stand in faith courageously, seek confidently the plans of the Lord. Faith can move mountains (Matthew 17:20). It can move mountains not because there is power in the “faith,” or word of faith, but because there is power and omnipotence in the God in Whom we place our faith. With a shout Jesus stilled the stormy waters (Mark 4:39). Through the arrow of faith we can win the war, as well as clear out the rubble and rebuild (Zechariah 4).
Take up and shoot the arrow of spiritual gifts. Don’t rely on your own limited resources but receive the empowerment of the Spirit and His supernatural spiritual gifting. Your gifts from the Holy Spirit will help you hit the target every time (Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12; 14; 2 Corinthians 10:3-4; Ephesians 4 and 6).
Lift up the arrow of praise. In 2 Chronicles 20 God’s people went to war with praise. As a result the enemy was confused and turned on each other and the victory was won. The arrow of praise is powerful. Praise the Lord because He is for us (Romans 8:31-32). Praise the Lord because nothing can separate us from His love. Praise the Lord because in Him we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:33-39). “I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth” (Psalm 34:1).
“Strike the Ground”
The passage continues:
18 Then he said, “Take the arrows”; so he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground”; so he struck three times, and stopped. 19 And the man of God was angry with him, and said, “You should have struck five or six times; then you would have struck Syria till you had destroyed it! But now you will strike Syria only three times.”
Joash obeyed and struck the ground with the arrows commanded by Elisha. But when he struck the ground with the arrows, he did so only three times. Joash was tentative, hesitant, uncertain, even lethargic, lukewarm. He lacked zeal. As a result his victory would not be as complete as it might have been. There is a HUGE lesson to learn here. Lukewarmness toward the Lord, His commands, His work, and His word leads to incomplete victory. The Bible says lukewarmness makes Him vomit (e.g., Revelation 3:15-16). If you are going to do the work of God, if you are going to live for the Lord, do it with all your heart! (cf. Colossians 3:17, 23-24). If He instructs you to strike or go to war, then go for it!
Why didn’t Joash strike harder and more fervently?
Why didn’t king Joash strike harder and more vigorously? Joash was a king with a reputation for evil. Perhaps he felt unworthy. If that is true of you, just remember we, all of us, are what we are and who we are, by God’s grace (1 Corinthians 15:10). None of us is “worthy.” We all fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). But thankfully, the blood of Jesus was shed to cleanse us from our sins (1 John 1:7). All we need to do is sincerely confess our sins, repent of them, ask God’s forgiveness, and receive it by faith (1 John 1:9; Acts 26:18; Titus 3:4-7).
Maybe Joash lacked faith. Maybe he thought tapping the arrows was silly or irrational. Maybe he looked at sick and dying Elisha and thought, “He’s dying, what good is tapping some arrows according to the instruction of a soon to be dead man?” He should have remembered God often works through extraordinary unlikely means; He uses the weak and least of people to perform His will (1 Corinthians 1 and 2).
Maybe Joash had some hidden reason to evade complete victory. Jon Courson comments on this possibility saying:
(Courson’s Application Commentary (3 vols.) Perhaps Joash was unsure whether or not he wanted to see the Syrians really destroyed. Do you really want to be delivered, or is it possible that you enjoy negativity? Is it possible that you enjoy infirmity because it gives you sympathy? Sometimes, it’s easier to say, “Woe is me,” than it is to take authority. I suggest that there can indeed be a tendency for us to find reasons why we’re depressed and oppressed, to justify why we’re not moving in faith and fervency. To a man who was lame for thirty-eight years, Jesus said, “Wilt thou be made whole?” Wouldn’t you think the answer would be obvious? Yet the man’s answer was, “I have no man to put me in the water” (see John 5). He didn’t say, “Yes!” Instead, he gave the reason why he couldn’t be healed. After thirty-eight years, he had grown accustomed to being lame and perhaps didn’t want to deal with the responsibility of what would take place if he was indeed made whole.
As long as I’m mad at the church, I don’t have to give to the building project. As long as I’m mad at the elders, I don’t have to come to Wednesday night Bible study. As long as I’m mad at the Lord, I don’t have to get up early to spend time with Him. We find reasons why we want to be lame. Perhaps Joash didn’t want the Syrians totally annihilated. Beaten back a little? Sure. But wiped out? That was another matter altogether.
Sometimes conflict is manipulated for personal purposes, carnal purposes. It’s something to think about.
What about governments and their political leaders? Given the corruption, graft, and payoffs we are discovering in our own government maybe some of our politicians would rather receive payoffs to keep a profitable “peace” of appeasement rather than work for a true peace. On the other hand, maybe some political leaders prefer a long dragged-out military conflict because they are receiving payoffs from a military industrial complex. I’ll let you decide.
When the Lord provides an opportunity to strike, then STRIKE! Pray. Get direction form God’s word. Seek godly counsel. Praise the Lord. THEN ACT DECISIVELY AND WHOLEHEARTEDLY. When God says “Strike,’ STRIKE!
What we do for the Lord, if it is to be as fruitful as it could be, must be done wholeheartedly for the Lord, otherwise like Joash, we will have only a portion of what we might have gained if we had given a wholehearted effort. So, stop making excuses and don’t stop banging those arrows of the Lord, you just may get a great victory. Serve the LORD with all your heart and see what happens.
The Effect of a Good Strike
20 Then Elisha died, and they buried him. And the raiding bands from Moab invaded the land in the spring of the year. 21 So it was, as they were burying a man, that suddenly they spied a band of raiders; and they put the man in the tomb of Elisha; and when the man was let down and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood on his feet.
How powerful was Elisha? Even his leftover dead bones could revive a dead man. Elisha’s bones represent his legacy. When godly men die, their legacy in books and ministry, testimony, and relationships continue to bring life to those that touch them. The old godly people of the past are a great source of spiritually enlivening us when we touch their bones. The prophets, apostles, Church Fathers, godly saints throughout history leave lasting impressions. Their writings leave a legacy of glory to God. Their bones might be in graves, but their influence continues. God uses their fruit to enliven us spiritually. What legacy will you leave behind, will it give life, or just remain in the grave? STRIKE! And leave a lasting legacy.
Israel Recaptures Cities from Syria
22 And Hazael king of Syria oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz. 23 But the LORD was gracious to them, had compassion on them, and regarded them, because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not yet destroy them or cast them from His presence.
24 Now Hazael king of Syria died. Then Ben-Hadad his son reigned in his place. 25 And Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz recaptured from the hand of Ben-Hadad, the son of Hazael, the cities which he had taken out of the hand of Jehoahaz his father by war. Three times Joash defeated him and recaptured the cities of Israel.
How many times were the Syrians defeated? Three times. How many times did Joash strike the ground with the arrows? Three times. The victory therefore was only a fraction of what it might have been. When the Lord tells you to strike, strike hard and long. Don’t hesitate. Don’t be a halfway, uncertain, lukewarm faith, soldier of the Lord. Be all in and experience the full victory of the Lord.
Father in heaven we come to You in Jesus’ name. LORD, please help us to hear You loud and clear. Give us the faith we need for the tasks before us. LORD, help us to strike decisively when You tell us to do so. We trust in You, not merely our weapons. LORD, we have this conflict with Iran and her allies before us as a nation. Please bless and guide our president and government officials and military leaders. Guide and protect them and our soldiers. Give us the victory and defeat our evil enemies. Father, in Jesus’ name, help us in our individual wars and conflicts. Help us to act justly while still loving our enemies. Help us to forgive those who trespass against us. Help us to be balanced and true. Guide us in prayer. Holy Spirit please empower and gift us. Jesus, help us to respond the way You would have us to respond to those who oppose us. Father in Jesus’ name, by the leading of the Holy Spirit, please make us what we need to be, to do what you call us to do, for Your glory, until Jesus returns. Help us to strike when You tell us to strike! In Jesus’ name. Amen!
[1] See my teachings on what the Bible says about “War” on the Shepherd of Hope blogsite. “War” listed under Categories.