Topical Bible: War: Tumult of
Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of war, particularly the tumult associated with it, is a recurring theme throughout the Bible. It is often depicted as a consequence of human sinfulness, a tool of divine judgment, or a means through which God accomplishes His purposes. The tumult of war refers to the chaos, noise, and disorder that accompany armed conflict, reflecting both physical and spiritual battles.
Old Testament Context
In the Old Testament, war is frequently portrayed as a divine instrument. The Israelites, under God's command, engaged in numerous battles to claim the Promised Land. The tumult of war is vividly described in various passages, highlighting the clamor and confusion of battle. For instance, in Judges 7:22, during Gideon's battle against the Midianites, "When the three hundred trumpets sounded, the LORD set the sword of one man against another throughout the camp, and the army fled to Beth-shittah toward Zererah as far as the border of Abel-meholah near Tabbath."
The tumult of war is also seen as a metaphor for God's judgment. In Isaiah 13:4, the prophet describes the noise of war as a sign of divine retribution: "Listen, a tumult on the mountains, like that of a great multitude! Listen, an uproar among the kingdoms, like nations gathered together! The LORD of Hosts is mustering an army for war."
New Testament Perspective
In the New Testament, the tumult of war is often associated with the end times and the spiritual battles faced by believers. Jesus, in His Olivet Discourse, warns of wars and rumors of wars as signs of the end of the age. In Matthew 24:6, He states, "You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for these things must happen, but the end is still to come."
The apostle Paul, while not directly addressing the physical tumult of war, speaks to the spiritual warfare that Christians must endure. In Ephesians 6:12, he writes, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
Symbolism and Spiritual Implications
The tumult of war serves as a powerful symbol of the spiritual conflict between good and evil. It underscores the reality of the Christian's battle against sin and the forces of darkness. The Bible encourages believers to remain steadfast and to put on the full armor of God, as described in Ephesians 6:13-17, to withstand the spiritual tumult they face.
Moreover, the tumult of war is a reminder of the ultimate victory that God will achieve. Revelation 19:11-16 depicts Christ as a warrior king who will return to judge and wage war against the forces of evil, bringing an end to all tumult and establishing His eternal kingdom of peace.
Conclusion
The tumult of war, as depicted in the Bible, serves as both a literal and metaphorical representation of conflict. It reflects the consequences of human sin, the reality of spiritual warfare, and the hope of divine intervention and ultimate peace. Through the lens of Scripture, believers are called to understand the tumult of war as part of God's sovereign plan and to trust in His ultimate victory over all chaos and disorder.
Nave's Topical Index
Amos 2:2
But I will send a fire on Moab, and it shall devour the palaces of Kirioth: and Moab shall die with tumult, with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet:
Nave's Topical Index
Strong's Hebrew
1993. hamah -- to murmur, growl, roar, be boisterous
... A primitive root (compare huwm); to make a loud sound like Engl. "hum"); by implication,
to be in great commotion or tumult, to rage, war, moan, clamor ...
/hebrew/1993.htm - 6k
Library
Of Meditating on the Future Life.
... Thus, that they may not promise themselves deep and lasting peace in it, he often
allows them to be assailed by war, tumult, or rapine, or to be disturbed by ...
/.../sergieff/on the christian life/chapter iv of meditating on.htm
Of Meditating on the Future Life.
... Thus, that they may not promise themselves deep and lasting peace in it, he often
allows them to be assailed by war, tumult, or rapine, or to be disturbed by ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 9 of meditating on.htm
The Evil one Said, "I Fear Him, Even Jesus, Lest He Destroy My ...
... 2. I matched my speed with the swift, and I outstripped them: I waged war;
the tumult of multitudes was armour to me. In the tumult ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xli the evil one.htm
About These Times, Civil War, as we have Said...
... About these times, civil war, as we have said? About these times, civil war, as
we have said, had broken out; and the following was the cause of the tumult. ...
/.../life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter xxix about these times.htm
The Arians Excite a Tumult at Constantinople.
... on his military expedition, the Arians excited a great tumult at Constantinople
by ... on the present occasion: for each invented news concerning the war which was ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of scholasticus/chapter xiii the arians excite a.htm
Peace and War.
... may be known without any tumult. But if any one do not receive the words of peace,
nor acquiesce in the truth, we know how to direct against him the war of the ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter xxxi peace and war.htm
Archelaus Makes a Funeral Feast for the People, on the Account of ...
... was in of going to Rome, as fearing lest, upon his making war on the ... multitude, and
gave orders that they should constrain those that began the tumult, by force ...
/.../chapter 1 archelaus makes a.htm
How the Samaritans Made a Tumult and Pilate Destroyed Many of Them ...
... 2. But when this tumult was appeased, the Samaritan senate sent an embassy to ... taken
from the Parthians, and the country of Parthis was filled with war, and the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 how the samaritans.htm
Concerning the Embassage of the Jews to Caius; and How Caius Sent ...
... 1. There was now a tumult arisen at Alexandria, between the Jewish inhabitants and
the ... of God; but if they were obstinate, to conquer them by war, and then to ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 concerning the embassage.htm
1 Timothy ii. 4-Feb
... the bad passions of anger, and envy; we cannot attain the promised blessings, till
this war is brought to an end; whoever does not still this tumult, must fall ...
/.../homily vii 1 timothy ii.htm
Resources
What happened in the Six-Day War? | GotQuestions.org
How should Christians respond to the "War on Christmas"? | GotQuestions.org
War: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com
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