Pertanyaan: 607. Siapa yang menggubah pasukan Israel?
Dalam masa perang ini, mungkin menarik untuk belajar sesuatu tentang tentara-tentara Israel. Mereka pertama kali disebutkan dalam Keluaran 7:4. Mereka dikumpulkan dengan bunyi terompet (Hakim-hakim 3:27), dengan utusan khusus dan cara luar biasa, dan didaftarkan oleh kepala juru tulis (Hakim-hakim 3:27; Hakim-hakim 6:35; Hakim-hakim 19:29; 2 Raja-raja 25:19). Disebut "tuan rumah" dan "tentara-tentara Allah yang hidup" (Ulangan 23:9; 1 Samuel 17:26), mereka terdiri dari infanteri dan kemudian memiliki prajurit berkuda dan kereta perang (Bilangan 11:21; 1 Raja-raja 1:5; 1 Raja-raja 4:26). Mereka dibagi menjadi tiga divisi, depan dan belakang, dan dibagi menjadi kompi-kompi ribuan (Hakim-hakim 7:16; Yosua 6:9; Bilangan 31:14; 2 Raja-raja 1:9, 11). Meskipun diperintah oleh kapten tuan rumah, mereka sering dipimpin oleh raja secara pribadi (2 Samuel 2:8; 1 Samuel 8:20; 1 Raja-raja 22). Semua laki-laki yang berusia dua puluh tahun ke atas wajib berdinas, sedangkan mereka yang telah membangun rumah, baru bertunangan atau baru menikah dibebaskan (Bilangan 1:2,3; Ulangan 20:5; Ulangan 20:7; Ulangan 24:5). Kadang-kadang tentara-tentara ini terdiri dari seluruh bangsa dan mereka dipasok dengan senjata dari gudang senjata publik (Hakim-hakim 20:11; 2 Tawarikh 11:12; 2 Tawarikh 26:14). Sebelum pergi berperang, tentara-tentara Israel dihitung dan diperiksa, diharuskan menjauhi kejahatan dan meminta petunjuk dari Tuhan (2 Samuel 18:1,2,4; Ulangan 23:9; Hakim-hakim 1:1). Tabut Allah sering dibawa untuk memimpin tentara-tentara ini dan mereka diiringi oleh imam-imam dengan terompet yang memimpin dalam menyanyikan puji-pujian kepada Allah, yang mengarahkan gerakan mereka (Yosua 6:6, 7; Bilangan 10:9; 2 Tawarikh 20:21, 22; Yosua 8:1, 2). Dengan pertolongan Allah, mereka sangat kuat, tetapi tanpa Dia mereka mudah dikalahkan (Imamat 26:3, 7, 8; Imamat 26:17; Bilangan 14:42, 43).
Question: 607. Who Composed the Armies of Israel?
In these warlike times it may be interesting to learn something about the armies of Israel. They are first mentioned in Ex. 7 : 4. They were collected by the sound of trumpets (Judges. 3 : 27), by special messengers and extraordinary means, and enrolled by the chief scribe (Judges. 3:27; Judges. 6:35; Judges. 19:29; II Kings 25 : 19). Called the "host" and the "armies of the living God" (Deu. 23 : 9; I Sam. 17 : 26), they were composed of infantry and later had horsemen and chariots (Num. 11 : 21 ; I Kings 1 : 5 ; I Kings 4: 26). They were divided into three divisions, van and rear, and were divided into companies of thousands (Judges. 7:16; Jos. 6:9; Num. 31:14; II Kings 1:9, 11. Though commanded by the captain of the host they were often led by the king in person (II Sam. 2:8; I Sam. 8 : 20; I Kings 22 ch.). All males from twenty years and upward were liable to serve, while those who had builded a house, were lately betrothed or newly married were exempt (Num. 1:2,3 ; Deu. 20:5; Deu. 20:7; Deu. 24:5). Sometimes the armies consisted of the whole nation and they were supplied with arms from public armories (Judges. 20:11; II Chron. 11:12; II Chron. 26:14). Before going to war Israel's armies were numbered and reviewed, were required to keep from iniquity and to consult the Lord (II Sam. 18:1,2,4; Deu. 23:9; Judges. 1:1). The Ark of God was frequently brought to lead these armies and they were attended by priests with trumpets who led in the singing of God's praises, who directed their movements (Jos. 6:6, 7; Num. 10:9; II Chron. 20: 21, 22; Josh. 8 : 1, 2). Thus with the aid of God they were all-powerful, but without him they were easily overcome (Lev. 26:3, 7, 8; Lev. 26:17; Num. 14: 42, 43).
