Divine Warrior: 7 Examples of God’s Power

Discussing current events and how they relate to Biblical prophesy. What are some critical signs are pointing to the imminent Rapture of the Church?

The Lord will go forth like a warrior, He will arouse His zeal like a man of war. He will utter a shout, yes, He will raise a war cry. He will prevail against His enemies. (Isaiah 42:13)

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Throughout the pages of Scripture, we see a powerful and majestic portrait of our God – not only as a loving Father and gentle Shepherd, but as a mighty warrior who fights on behalf of His people. From the Exodus out of Egypt to the ultimate triumph in the book of Revelation, the Bible reveals the warrior nature of our God, who is determined to vanquish evil and deliver His children.

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God used the forces of nature as weapons against the Egyptians

When the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt for 400 years, God heard their cries and remembered His covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He called Moses to confront Pharaoh with the command “Let my people go,” but Pharaoh’s heart was hardened. God brought ten devastating plagues on Egypt, demonstrating His supreme power over the gods of Egypt. The Nile turned to blood, swarms of frogs, gnats and flies covered the land, livestock perished, boils broke out on man and beast, hail rained down and destroyed crops, locusts devoured what was left, and a chilling darkness covered the land.

Finally, after Pharaoh still refused to relent, God struck down the firstborn of Egypt. Only those who had the blood of the lamb on their doorposts were spared, foreshadowing Christ our Passover lamb. Pharaoh finally released the Israelites, but then changed his mind and sent chariots and troops to pursue them to the edge of the Red Sea. That’s when God moved as a warrior to deliver His people in a mighty way.

Moses stretched out his staff and God drove back the sea with a strong east wind all night, dividing the waters so the Israelites could cross through on dry ground. The Egyptians pursued them into the sea bed, but God threw the Egyptian forces into confusion, clogging their chariot wheels. As the Egyptians fled, God released the waters and they came crashing down, drowning Pharaoh’s entire army in the sea. God had won a decisive victory, destroying Israel’s enemy and setting His people free from bondage. The people feared the Lord and put their trust in Him and in Moses His servant.

This event reveals some key aspects of God’s warrior nature:

1) God fights to deliver His people from oppression and injustice. He hears their cries and takes action.

2) God has power over all the elements – water, earth, sky. He used the forces of nature as weapons against the Egyptians.

3) God protects His people and destroys their enemies. He makes a distinction between those who are His and those who defy Him.

4) God’s victories inspire worship, awe and faith. Israel sang “The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation…The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is His name.” (Exodus 15:2-3)

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God and the walls of Jericho

After the Exodus, God continued to show Himself as a warrior during the conquest of the Promised Land. When Joshua and the Israelites came to the fortified city of Jericho, God gave them a bizarre battle plan. Instead of a siege or frontal assault, they were to march around the city once a day for six days, with seven priests blowing trumpets in front of the Ark of the Covenant. On the seventh day, they marched around seven times, gave a loud shout, and the walls came tumbling down! The city was destroyed and burned, with only Rahab the prostitute and her family spared because she had hidden the Israelite spies.

Once again, God revealed Himself as a warrior in unique ways:

1) God’s ways are not our ways. His battle plans may seem foolish to human reasoning but they accomplish His purposes.

2) God goes before His people to give them victory. As Moses said “The eternal God is your refuge, and His everlasting arms are under you. He drives out the enemy before you.” (Deut 33:27)

3) Faith and obedience are essential to see God’s warrior power released. Israel had to step out in faith to the brink of the Jordan at flood stage, and put their feet in before God stopped the river’s flow. They had to obey the unusual instructions at Jericho.

4) With God as our warrior, no obstacle is too great, no stronghold too fortified. Jericho’s walls were no match for Israel’s God.

5) God’s victories are to be completely dedicated to Him. The “ban” on Jericho, devoting all its wealth to destruction, emphasized that God gives the victory for His glory alone, not for material gain.

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God uses unlikely people as His warriors

Throughout the time of the judges, Israel went through cycles of falling into idolatry and oppression, crying out to God, and being delivered by God raising up a warrior-judge. One of the most dramatic stories is the victory of Deborah and Barak over the Canaanite general Sisera.

Sisera had a powerful army with 900 iron chariots, and he cruelly oppressed Israel for 20 years. But God spoke through the prophetess Deborah, summoning Barak to gather 10,000 men to fight Sisera. Barak was reluctant to go without Deborah, so she went with him, prophesying that the honor of victory would go to a woman.

As Barak’s forces advanced, God threw Sisera’s army into a panic. Barak chased them and all the troops fell by the sword – not one was left. But Sisera escaped and sought refuge in the tent of Heber the Kenite, an ally. Heber’s wife Jael invited him in and covered him with a rug as he fell asleep, exhausted. Then Jael picked up a tent peg and hammer, crept over to Sisera, and drove the peg through his temple into the ground, killing him.

So God subdued Jabin king of Canaan that day, and the land had peace for 40 years. Deborah and Barak sang “March on, my soul; be strong!…So may all your enemies perish, O Lord! But may they who love you be like the sun when it rises in its strength.” (Judges 5:21,31)

From this story we see:

1) God uses unlikely people as His warriors when they are available and obedient. Deborah was a woman in a patriarchal culture, but she heard God and summoned the people to battle. Jael was a tent-dwelling wife who became the heroine.

2) God Himself fights for His people and routs the enemy. The panic that befell Sisera’s army was supernatural.

3) God fulfills His word. Deborah’s prophecy about a woman getting the honor came true in an unexpected way through Jael. When God speaks, we can bank on it.

4) God’s victories break the oppressor’s yoke and bring peace and freedom. After the battle, Israel had rest for 40 years.

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Overwhelming odds are no match for God’s power

One of the most beloved stories of God as warrior is the battle between David and Goliath. Israel was at war with the Philistines whose champion Goliath taunted the Israelites every morning and evening for 40 days. Standing over 9 feet tall and wearing heavy armor, Goliath challenged Israel to send out a champion to fight him, with the loser’s side becoming subject to the other.

All the Israelite soldiers were dismayed and terrified. But young David, sent by his father Jesse to bring provisions to his older brothers in the army, heard Goliath’s taunts and was incensed. He asked “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (1 Samuel 17:26)

David told Saul he would fight Goliath, recounting how God had delivered him from the paw of the lion and bear as he guarded his father’s sheep, and that God would deliver him from the Philistine. Saul placed his own armor on David but it was too big and cumbersome. Instead, David took five smooth stones from the brook and his sling, and approached Goliath.

Goliath disdained David for his youth and ruddy appearance, cursing him by his gods. But David ran quickly toward him, reached into his bag, took out a stone, slung it, and struck the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead and he fell face down on the ground. David ran and stood over Goliath, drew the giant’s own sword, killed him and cut off his head. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. The men of Israel pursued and struck them down all the way to Gath and Ekron, and then plundered their camps.

From this famous battle, we learn:

1) Overwhelming odds are no match for God’s power. What matters is not the size of the warrior but the size of the God who empowers him.

2) Faith in God inspires courage. David was not intimidated by Goliath’s threats because he saw the giant from God’s perspective.

3) A warrior’s identity and weapons are in God. David did not trust in borrowed armor but fought in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel.

4) Victory flows from God’s favor, not human ability. It was not David’s skill but God’s enablement that downed the giant.

5) God’s victories rally His people to rout the enemy. Once Goliath fell, the Philistines fled and Israel pursued with renewed boldness.

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God’s warrior acts inspired awe among the nations

The theme of God as warrior runs consistently through the conquest of Canaan. Moses encouraged the people, “The Lord your God will cross over ahead of you. He will destroy these nations before you, and you will take possession of their land… do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them. The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, and in the desert.” (Deut 31:3-6)

Under Joshua’s leadership, God went before the armies of Israel to defeat all their enemies in the land – the kings of Jericho, Ai, Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, Eglon, Gezer, Debir, Geder, Hormah, Arad, Libnah, Adullam, Makkedah, Bethel, Tappuah, Hepher, Aphek, Lasharon, Madon, Hazor, Shimron-meron, Acshaph, Taanach, Megiddo, Kedesh, Jokneam, Dor, the nations of Gilgal, and Tirzah. The Lord gave them all into the hand of Israel, and Joshua struck them down until he left none remaining. As Joshua 10:42 sums up, “All these kings and their lands Joshua conquered in one campaign, because the Lord, the God of Israel, fought for Israel.”

Some key points emerge from Israel’s conquest:

1) Conquering the Promised Land was inextricably tied to God fighting for His people. They could never have prevailed against such powerful foes on their own.

2) God gave specific battle plans and strategies that required faith to implement. Israel had to worship before warfare (Jericho) and wait on God before engaging (Gibeon).

3) The Lord Himself threw Israel’s enemies into confusion, hurled hailstones on them from the sky, and extended the day so Israel could complete the victory.
He even caused the sun to stand still in response to Joshua’s prayer!

4) Israel’s success was contingent on their obedience to God’s commands regarding no treaties with the inhabitants, destroying idols, and devoting captured treasures to the Lord. When they disobeyed (as at Ai), they met with defeat.

5) God’s warrior acts on behalf of Israel inspired awe among the surrounding nations. As Rahab told the spies, “Everyone in this country is weak with fear because of you.” (Joshua 2:9)

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The prophets envisioned God as a divine warrior

The prophets also envisioned God as a divine warrior who would fight for His people and vanquish His enemies. Isaiah declares:

“The Lord will march out like a mighty man, like a warrior he will stir up his zeal; with a shout he will raise the battle cry and will triumph over his enemies.” (Isaiah 42:13)

The prophet sees a future day when God will remove the enemies of His people and establish His kingdom in righteousness. He employs vivid warrior imagery:

“The Lord will go forth like a warrior, He will arouse His zeal like a man of war. He will utter a shout, yes, He will raise a war cry. He will prevail against His enemies.” (Isaiah 42:13)

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Christ returns as the divine conqueror

This theme is developed most fully in the book of Revelation, where Christ is depicted returning as the divine conqueror to defeat the forces of evil and establish His eternal reign. John’s apocalyptic vision shows the risen, ascended Jesus as the mighty warrior:

“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.

Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Rev 19:11-16)

In this climactic vision, Christ leads the armies of heaven to strike down the gathered forces of the Antichrist and the kings of the earth. The battle imagery is graphic:
“But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. The rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.” (Rev 19:20-21)

Satan himself is then bound for 1000 years, and Christ reigns on earth with His saints. After a final rebellion is crushed, the devil is thrown into the lake of fire, along with Death and Hades. Then comes the majestic vision of a new heaven and new earth, with the New Jerusalem, arrayed in all its finery as a bride, coming down out of heaven. The dwelling of God is now with men, as He wipes every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death, mourning, crying or pain. He who sits on the throne says “Behold, I make all things new…I am the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End.” (Rev 21:1-6)

The divine warrior has won the ultimate victory, and those who have overcome will inherit the fullness of eternal life in His glorious presence. All things will be made new, and every knee will bow and tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

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So what can we learn from this grand biblical theme of God as warrior?

Several critical truths emerge:

1) We are engaged in a real spiritual battle that requires divine intervention and power. Our enemies are not flesh and blood, but the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. We cannot prevail by human strategies or strength.

2) God is the mighty warrior who fights on our behalf to deliver us from bondage, oppression and the attacks of the evil one. He is able to overcome any foe or obstacle.

3) God’s ways of warfare are often unconventional and counter-intuitive. He gives supernatural battle plans that require faith and obedience to execute. His power is made perfect in our weakness.

4) God gives the victory so that all glory goes to Him. His warrior nature is rooted in His zeal for His own name and renown. He will not share His glory with another.

5) Faith, worship, and obedience are essential to experiencing God’s warrior power. We must abandon self-reliance and look to Him as our Champion and Deliverer.

6) God’s past victories give confidence for present and future battles. Remembering His triumphs stirs us to trust that He is the same yesterday, today and forever – the eternal conqueror.

7) Jesus is the ultimate divine warrior who will return in power to defeat all evil and establish His eternal kingdom. He leads the armies of heaven and strikes down His foes with the sword of His mouth.

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What a mighty God we serve! Though the battles may rage and the enemy assault us, we do not lose heart. The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is His name. He is our strength and shield, our fortress and deliverer. And He has already won the decisive victory through Christ’s death and resurrection.

As we face the trials and tribulations of this world, let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, throwing off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.

We are called to be good soldiers of Christ, engaged in the fight of faith, clothed in His armor, until He returns or calls us home. We wage war through prevailing prayer, standing firm in His might, and advancing His kingdom in the power of the Spirit.

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From age to age, Yahweh engages

In Egypt’s toil and tear-soaked soil,
four hundred years without reprieve,
the captives’ cry reached up to high
Elohim’s ear. He heard, and heaved

in recollection of the pledge
to Abraham. Then, through the man
of stuttering tongue, He gave the nod—
“Release my people, or feel my hand.”

That sceptered hand brought wave on wave
of woe: the bloody Nile, frogs’ slime,
lice, flies’ foul haunt, beasts’ bodies gaunt,
boils, hail and fire, locusts’ maw–malign.

Then light-devouring dark. And last,
the dreadful death of firstborn sons.
Freed from their chains, the Hebrews crossed
dry through the sea; horse and rider’s tomb.

Ha-Elohim, the Lord of hosts,
a warrior fierce in smoke and quake,
marched before Joshua’s bold attack
on Canaan’s kings, sealed their fates.

Barak balked, but Deborah’s taunt
pressed him to fight. Tent peg pounded,
Jael’s blow felled Sisera’s brow.
The land found rest as oppressors drowned.

And David, scoffed by older brothers,
saw past the taunt of hulking pride
to hurl his stone, lay low the bone-
clad head defiling God’s own Name.

From age to age, Yahweh engages,
sovereign power arrayed for aid
of those He chose, to crush their foes
and show His might in earth’s dim shades.

Yet in the end, the Word rides in–
eyes flaming, sword-pierced, crowned in splendor.
With iron rod He’ll crush sin’s hordes
and speak His elect home forever.

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If you are not sure that you are a member of the family of God, you can accept Christ into your life right now, by praying:

“Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins.  Please forgive my sins and give me the gift of eternal life.  I ask you in to my life and heart to be my Lord and Savior.”

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Current events are aligning with Biblical prophecy