Does Israel pray before they go to war?

Open Line on March 29, 2025 @23:10

Listener: When Israel is going to war ..

Dr Michael Rydelnik: You mean biblical Israel or modern day Israel?

Listener: Either or, are they suppose to gather together and pray about it before they go to war or just go to war?

Answer from Dr Michael Rydelnik:

https://www.moodyradio.org/radioplayer.aspx?episode=638976&hour=2

Summary of Answer:

During Old Testament times, they have a prophet to tell them to go to war or not to go to war. For example, in Judges, the prophetess Debra indicated to Barak to go to war. Israel's war with Hamas was biblical but it was not a direct command as Romans 13:4 would imply it is in God's will to punish the wicked and protect the innocent. Ecclesiates 3 says there's a time of peace and a time of war. After the attack from Hamas, there's an obligation for Israel to go to war immediately, not necessarily waiting for a prophet to tell them to do so.

Romans 13

4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. -nkjv

4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. -kjv

4 for it is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a servant of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. -nasb

4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. -niv

Ecclesiastes 3

8A time to love,And a time to hate;A time of war,And a time of peace. -nkjv

8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. -kjv

8A time to love and a time to hate;A time for war and a time for peace. -nasb

8 a time to love and a time to hate,    a time for war and a time for peace. -niv

A verse on retirement

Open Line program on March 22, 2025 @30:43

Question by listener:

Are there any scripture related to retirement?

Another listener referred to Numbers 8:25

Answer by Dr Michael Rydelnik:

https://www.moodyradio.org/radioplayer.aspx?episode=638971&hour=2

Summary of Answer:

Dr Michael Rydelnik says that we never stop serving in God's Kingdom. We may change when it comes to retirement, in the context of Numbers 8:24-26, it means it is hard work on the elderly Levites at age 50 because it involves a lot of heavy lifting and therefore their scope of work change to assisting their brethren in their work at the Tent of meeting.

Numbers 8

 24“This is what pertains to the Levites: From twenty-five years old and above one may enter to perform service in the work of the tabernacle of meeting; 25and at the age of fifty years they must cease performing this work, and shall work no more. 26They may minister with their brethren in the tabernacle of meeting, to attend to needs, but they themselves shall do no work. Thus you shall do to the Levites regarding their duties.” -nkjv

24This is it that belongeth unto the Levites: from twenty and five years old and upward they shall go in to wait upon the service of the tabernacle of the congregation: 25And from the age of fifty years they shall cease waiting upon the service thereof, and shall serve no more: 26But shall minister with their brethren in the tabernacle of the congregation, to keep the charge, and shall do no service. Thus shalt thou do unto the Levites touching their charge. -kjv

24“This is what applies to the Levites: from twenty-five years old and upward they shall enter to perform service in the work of the tent of meeting. 25But at the age of fifty years they shall retire from service in the work and not work anymore. 26They may, however, assist their brothers in the tent of meeting, to fulfill an obligation, but they themselves shall do no work. In this way you shall deal with the Levites in their obligations.” -nasb

24“This applies to the Levites: Men twenty-five years old or more shall come to take part in the work at the tent of meeting, 25but at the age of fifty, they must retire from their regular service and work no longer. 26They may assist their brothers in performing their duties at the tent of meeting, but they themselves must not do the work. This, then, is how you are to assign the responsibilities of the Levites.”

Christ’s Demonstration of Salvation by J.C. Ryle

There is one great work which the Lord Jesus Christ has done and finished completely. That work is the work of atonement, sacrifice, and substitution. He saw us ruined by the fall, a world of poor, lost, shipwrecked sinners. He did not sit in heaven pitying us from a distance. He did not stand upon the shore and see the wreck, and behold poor drowning sinners struggling in vain to get to shore. He plunged into the waters Himself. He came off to the wreck, and took part with us in our weakness and infirmity, becoming a man to save our souls.