Warfare Law Deuteronomy 20

Name one reason, from this chapter, a person might be allowed to leave the battlefield?

Deuteronomy 20:3 "And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them: v4 For the Lord your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you."

All the weapons in the world are no good if the troops are afraid or preoccupied with things back home. They must know the enemy can be defeated and have their mind and heart in the battle.

Our verse gives us several degrees of anguish over the enemy: 1) let not your hearts faint, 2) fear not, 3) do not tremble and 4) neither be terrified.

Answer: Then, we have several verses that deal with things that might keep the fighter's mind off the battle: 1) v5 if he has built a house and not dedicated it 2) v6 if he has planted a vineyard and not eaten from it 3) v7 if he has a new wife and has spent no time with her and 4) v8 if he is fearful and fainthearted.

The above men are to leave the battlefield and return home. The first three are so he will reap the labors of his hands and not another. The fourth is so his fear does not spread to others. "...lest his brethren's heart faint as well as his heart."

v10 "When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it."

There are commands as to what to do if a city surrenders and if they must take it by force. Siege seems to be a common battle tactic. The future of the land was not overlooked. They were forbidden to cut down trees that gave fruit to eat. Others could be used to build bulwarks v10-20. "...for the tree of the field is man's life..."

It appears that every possibility is covered for Israel before the battles start. All details are worked out and explained.

Psalms 142:4-5 "I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul. I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living."