Should women go to war? I don’t believe that mothers with children should leave their precious children and their homes to go to war. This is the opposite to God’s plan.
God shows us something of His heart about this in Psalm 68:11, 12 (HCSB): “The Lord gave the command; a great company of women brought the good news: The kings of the armies flee—they flee!” She who stays at home divides the spoil.”
What is happening here? The enemy has come to attack and therefore the soldiers (the men) prepare and go out to war. They are the army in the field.
But there is another army at home—the women. They are also called an army. The word “company” means those who are part of an army, a military, a war! My KJV Bible gives the word “army” in the margin. It’s the same word that is used of God who is THE LORD OF HOSTS! The One who is the mighty, powerful Warrior, ready to intervene for His people.
Where is this army of women? They are not out fighting the enemy in the field. They are at home. Do you notice it says: “SHE who stays home?” It is not the men who stay home, but the women. Some fathers stay home to look after their children while their wives go to work. This is opposite to the Scriptures.
While the men fight to save their homes and families out on the field, the women fight to protect their families and “hold the fort” in the absence of their husbands.
And when they win the battle, they go forth as a conquering force to proclaim the good news! Back in Bible days they danced and sang. And when the men brought back the “spoil,” the gold, silver, and beautiful garments, they didn’t give a little to the women. They gave it all to them. They gave them the authority to divide it and share it among their daughters, handmaidens, the poor, and all around them.
They were all in the fight together, but each one doing the task God intended for them!
French and Skinner’s Translation states:
“The Lord giveth the word!
A great company of women announce the glad tidings!
Kings with their armies flee—they flee!
And those, who dwell within the house, divide the spoil!
Although they lie among the hearth-stones,
They are become like a dove’s wings overlaid with silver,
And like her pinions overlaid with yellow gold.
When the Almighty scattereth kings,
They glisten therein, as snow upon Salmon.”
Dear mother, you are part of a mighty army of women. Your place to fight against the enemy is in the home! You keep the home fires burning. You strengthen your home, your marriage, your family. You keep pushing back the enemy who wants to subtly come into your home with his deceptions and destruction. If you are not there to watch, the enemy will take over!
You support your husband in his work. You release him to do his career and you embrace your role of motherhood with all your heart.
You seek after truth and teach it to your children. You proclaim the good news of the Gospel and of your love for family wherever you go. You are a proclaimer of truths,
Oh, for a great army of women to understand the power of their homes, to come back to their homes and raise godly sons and daughters. Oh, for a great army of women to proclaim God’s truth in society instead of being deceived by the humanistic values of today which are opposite to God’s living Word.
Blessings from Nancy Campbell
Painting by Jessie Willcox Smith