Diplomacy and War The Eighth Commandment Israel was to wage war only as a last resort. Deuteronomy 20:10-18 “‘When you draw near to a city to fight against it, offer terms of peace to it. And if it responds to you peaceably and it opens to you, then all the people who are found ...
Justice in Time of War The Eighth Commandment The conduct of war was regulated by God’s Law. Deuteronomy 20:1-9 “‘When you go out to war against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them, for the LORD your God is with ...
The Priority of the Family The Eighth Commandment The Law of God holds the family prior to the State. Deuteronomy 24:5 “‘When a man is newly married, he shall not go out with the army or be liable for any other public duty. He shall be free at home one year to be happy ...
Runaway Slaves The Eighth Commandment Runaway slaves were to be regarded as free men. Deuteronomy 23:15-16 “‘You shall not give up to his master a slave who has escaped from his master to you. He shall dwell with you, in your midst, in the place that he shall choose within one of your towns, ...
Slaves Some, Servants All The Eighth Commandment Slaves could be redeemed, as Israel had been. Leviticus 25:47-55 “If a stranger or sojourner with you becomes rich, and your brother beside him becomes poor and sells himself to the stranger or sojourner with you or to a member of the stranger’s clan, then after he ...