No one is fool enough to choose War instead of Peace.
For in Peace Sons bury Fathers,
but in War Fathers bury Sons.
-Herodotus-
“Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah has prevailed…
in the midst, stood a Lamb as though slain.”
“Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne,
And to the Lamb, forever and ever!”
Revelation 5:5-13
This blog today, I have chosen to honor those soldiers and their families on Memorial Day May 29, 2017. May God continue to bless and keep every heart and soul safe and peaceful in these trying times. Below, I have attempted to think out loud while communicating this piece entitled, “When Fathers bury Sons.”
Essentially everyone loses in war, there really is not any victors except those who finance wars and death itself.
Faces of War
Pacifist [The Dove] are those who oppose to all war and violence. These individuals have developed an alternative seemingly unrealistic perspective of the current fallen status of humanity. Earth with its well-documented problems at present is a far cry from heaven or the Garden of Eden. Each of us today attests that our Nation/and world is at an all-time lowest level of depravity, where evil people do dastardly things without remorse.
The only realistic response is that our Creator has permitted the human government to have authority to administer justice with the sword. [Roman 13:1; 1 Peter 2:13]
Warmonger [The Hawk] are people and nations who are always looking for a fight, for controversy and the misuse of power, and force for the purpose of coercion or domination. The Scriptures say, “The Lord…hates the wicked and the one who loves violence [Psalm 11:5]. In addition, the Word warns “Do not envy the violent or choose any of their ways. For the Lord detest the perverse but takes the upright into His confidence.” [Proverb 3:31-32] In a word, those who love violence will not get God’s approval!
Timing [The Hour Glass], in Ecclesiastes 3:8 reads “there is a time to love and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace.” In our broken society, there is an appointed time for governments to take military action, stepping up national and or international worldly affairs with the need for punitive force. The million dollar question is when is it the perfect time to engage in war? Noting a Biblical command, citizens are to respect those who are appointed over them in government, nevertheless, what do we do when our government/leaders act too quickly by not giving all other peaceful means its non-violent goals?
Keeping our limited human nature in perspective, oftentimes our judgment in the “Art of War” historically record disastrous results due to errors in our humanity during warfare and conflict. There never has or will be a perfect or popular war, yet when things go wrong or are unpopular, the last thing that needs to be done is to unfairly blame, attack, or fault the service personnel due to their obedience to the US Armed Forces.
Weighing The Cost [The Scales], having to act according to the declaration of war is never to understood as a “Holy War” when in this current fallen world, each military campaign is between human beings, their respective nation(s) and not in the name of God. Each act of violence, conflict, and war is the by-product first within the heart as it later second is manifested on the chosen battleground on earth. Biblical evidence is noted:
- For from the heart comes evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. These are what defile you. Matt. 15:18
- The Book of Jeremiah 17:9 states, The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately sick; who can understand it?
Nations, as well as each living soul, would be well advised to surely practice supreme guidance in the engagement of war, as victory is won through many advisers [Proverb 24:2]
Indecisive [Fork in the Road], these are individuals who are unable to make a firm decision to go to war or not. Perhaps somehow, evil and the problems all around us will correct themselves, or let us tarry long enough for all non-violent means have been exhausted. The face of indecisive are those who perhaps lack governmental experience during a political crisis or they possess a moral conscience while serving in a political office. In this regard, what they do possess is the never-ending command to pray without ceasing.
Paul encourages the Body of Christ to pray over those in government, “that we may live peaceful and sober lives in all godliness and holiness.” [1 Tim.2:2]
Grace and Peace
Alonzo E. Thornton