Deuteronomy

Take-Aways

Opposing armies are not the only parties in warfare–creation itself is involved. At times, such as in war, we may think we know the best strategy to use the land for our benefit, but God created the land to nourish and sustain us. God designed creation to promote humanity’s well-being, and trees yield fruit so we can survive. But the land bears the consequences of human warfare. If we ignore God’s caution, we risk living to see peace after war but having destroyed the gift that enables our survival in times of peace. Moreover, fruit-bearing trees provide sustenance indiscriminately, for people on both sides of the battlefield. The command to preserve the trees suggests a way to extend love to enemies even in times of war. Who are we to destroy what God has provided for our good, and for the good of our enemies? (See “Human Sin and Creation” for more on the connections between creation care and war and peace).

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Bible

Peace to be Offered, What Cities Were to be Devoted

Care is here taken that in besieging cities the fruit-trees should not be destroyed. God is a better friend to man than he is to himself; and God’s law consults our interests and comforts; while our own appetites and passions, which we indulge, are enemies to our welfare. Many of the Divine precepts restrain us from destroying that which is for our life and food. The Jews understand this as forbidding all wilful waste upon any account whatsoever. Every creature of God is good; as nothing is to be refused, so nothing is to be abused. We may live to want what we carelessly waste.