The big news today has been about the changes coming to America’s selective service and how it will affect the draft. All boys have always been required to register with the selective service when they turn 18 in the United States. I also had to deny my dual citizenship so that I could not be drafted into the German military.
However, the upcoming changes will automatically enroll all men 18 years old to 25 into the selective service to help ensure the program has the numbers In case a military draft is needed and initiated. The United States has not issued a military draft since our military became all voluntary in 1973.
Ironically, earlier this year, both President Trump and Sec. Hegseth were bragging about how the military enlistment has been up since President Trump took office. They claimed that enlistment numbers have been breaking previous records. Yet, for some reason, changes are needed to ensure the selective service has the eligible men available for another draft.
Clearly, the Trump administration is more concerned about being like the world than being God’s people:
- Deceptive
- Power-hungry
- Unloving
- Unforgiving
The Bible warns us about seeking power and earthly greatness (Proverbs 16:18, Matthew 23:11-12, 1 Timothy 6:9-10). As God’s people are called to be humble, not prideful (Romans 12:3, James 4:6-10).
Pride often comes from earthly success, not God. When it does, pride and power consume us and lead to earthly power being abused (Proverbs 29:2, 1 Peter 5:2-3). That is why we must learn how to forgive, if not power when abused causes senseless wars (Colossians 3:13, James 1:19-20).
What Is War
War is an idea most of us understand as occurring between two nations when one abuses power or control because they want more of both. War is defined as “A conflict carried on by force of arms, as between nations or between parties within a nation: intense fighting.”
Ever since the fall in the garden, man has thought and killed to get what they wanted (Genesis 4:1-26). God opposes all senseless killing regardless of whether it is in the womb or outside of it (Exodus 20:13, Romans 13:9.
War is both physical and spiritual (2 Corinthians 10:3-4). That is why the Bible has a lot to say about war (James 4:1-2, 1 Peter 2:11). The war between good and evil began before the world was ever formed (Job 38:4-7, Isaiah 14:12-15, Peter 2:4).
God’s people are taught to fight the good fight against all evil, within ourselves and externally (Romans 12:21, 1 Corinthians 9:25-27, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, Ephesians 6:10-18, 1 Timothy 6:12, 1 Peter 5:8-9). The apostles remembered their Jewish education about war and who our real enemy is.
Milḥāmâ
The Torah tells us that God created the light and separated it from the darkness, and the light was good (Genesis 1:3-5). There was peace in the garden as long as mankind listened to God and walked in the light.
That is, until Satan, whom God had cast to the earth, deceived mankind into disobeying God in the war between good and evil in the garden (Job 8:44, Isaiah 14:12). The very next generation of mankind killed brothers to get what they wanted as this war continued to grow (Genesis 4:1-26).
The Hebrew word for war in the Old Testament is milḥāmâ, and it can also mean “Battle, fighting, warriors, or war with,” depending upon the context it is used in.
Mankind and the flesh have been at war with God ever since. That is why God called His people out of the darkness to be different and to obey His ways by fighting against the ways of this world and their own selfish hearts (Exodus 19:5-6, Leviticus 20:26, Deuteronomy 7:6).
That is why Judaism allies God’s people to fight and wage war for God’s glory, not so that they can achieve earthly greatness (Deuteronomy 20:1-4, 2 Chronicles 20:15-17). God gave His people specific reasons and purposes to fight:
- Obligatory wars: for survival.
- Discretionary wars: defensive or strategic.
Jesus warned His followers that He did not come to bring peace, but a sword (Matthew 10:34, Luke 12:51-53). Our Rabbi didn’t fight like this bloodthirsty world; He humbled Himself to fight the good fight (Matthew 26:52, Luke 22:51, John 18:36).
Our Rabbi even battled the devil in the wilderness by quoting Scripture, not abusing His heavenly power or might (Matthew 4:1-11). He also condemned the religious leaders of his day for being like their father the devil (John 8:44).
Iran
In other big news this week, President Trump threatened to wipe Iran off the face of the planet if it didn’t do what he wanted and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The president and his followers condemned Iran for how it treated their people harshly, but are willing to commit war crimes against the very people the president claims he is fighting for. The president and many Christians have failed to learn that we do not trust in earthly might and power like this world, but God’s people put their trust in God (1 Samuel 2:9, Psalm 20:7, 2 Corinthians 10:4):
- Humility
- Love
- Patience
- Faith
- Forgiveness
Thankfully, a temporary cease-fire was agreed to by Iran in America before Satan won the spiritual battle. Despite the good news and lives saved, some MAGA Christians were upset that the president didn’t stick to his plan and obliterate another country.
I’m not surprised by some of the reactions from MAGA. They’ve turned from the teachings and ways of Jesus to pursue earthly greatness and a temporary kingdom (Matthew 5:44; 26:52).
Jesus rebuked His own Disciples for wanting to call down fire from heaven to consume their enemies (Luke 9:51-56). Many conservatives have forgotten how to love and forgive their enemy, that’s why they crave this milḥāmâ!
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