Deuteronomy 20:11

“And it shall be, if it make thee answer of peace, and open unto thee, then it shall be, that all the people that is found therein shall be tributaries unto thee, and they shall serve thee.”

Context: Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Old Testament, part of the Torah, and it contains the final speeches of Moses to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. In this particular chapter, Moses provides instructions to the Israelites regarding warfare and conquests.

Meaning and Application:

• Contextual Meaning: In Deuteronomy 20:11, God instructs the Israelites on how to handle a city that is not part of the land God has promised them. If the city responds peacefully and surrenders, the Israelites were to make it a tributary and subject the people to servitude.
• Principles of Just War: This verse reflects principles related to the conduct of war and how the Israelites were to approach conquest. It is important to understand that the instructions given in the Old Testament were specific to the historical and cultural context of the Israelites at that time. They do not necessarily prescribe how wars should be conducted today. However, there are some underlying principles that can be derived from this verse:
• Pursuit of Peace: The verse emphasizes the importance of seeking peace. If a city responded with a peaceful offer and opened its gates, the Israelites were to accept the terms and make peace with them. This principle encourages the pursuit of peaceful resolutions before resorting to warfare.
• Conquest and Subjugation: If the city surrendered, the people were to become tributaries and serve the Israelites. This reflected the norm of ancient warfare, where the victorious nation would often require tribute or service from the defeated nation. It should be noted that this was a historical practice and not a universal moral endorsement of servitude or subjugation.
• Covenant with God: The conquest of the Promised Land was part of God’s covenant with the Israelites, and these instructions were given within that specific context. The Israelites were God’s chosen people, and the conquest of the land was an integral part of fulfilling His promises to them. The purpose was not expansion or imperialism, but the establishment of a homeland for the Israelites, where they could worship and serve God.
• Application to Christians: As Christians, we are not bound by the laws and regulations of the Old Testament. Jesus emphasized love, forgiveness, and the pursuit of peace. Our understanding of war and conflict should be guided by the principles Jesus taught. We are called to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9) and to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44). However, it is important to acknowledge the historical and cultural context of the Israelites in the Old Testament when studying such verses.

Spiritual Application: While the literal application of this verse may not be relevant today, there are spiritual lessons we can draw from it. We can see parallels between the Israelites’ conquest of the Promised Land and the spiritual battles we face as believers. In our spiritual journey, we encounter “cities” of opposition, sin, and spiritual strongholds. Just as the Israelites were to pursue peace with the cities that opened their gates, we should seek to make peace with sin and strive for victory over the strongholds in our lives through God’s strength and guidance.

In conclusion, Deuteronomy 20:11 provides instructions to the Israelites on how to handle a city that responds peacefully. While the specific instructions may not apply to us today, we can draw principles such as the pursuit of peace, the importance of understanding historical context, and the spiritual application of overcoming strongholds in our lives.