This morning while preparing breakfast, I was deep in conversation with a Housemate of mine.  A few months ago, since I have this huge home to myself, instead of operating a Bed & Breakfast, I turned to renting out my Guest Suites and am quite happy that I went this direction.  

Tony is a young man who experienced a Spiritual Awakening in his teen years that he said was shocking at the very least.  It's nice to have someone else that understands what I experienced and am going through, so he and I can get into some very intense conversations with respect for all beliefs pertaining to our experiences and outlooks.  

He and I were just discussing the war in the Middle East between Israel and Palestine and the war between Ukraine and Russia. 

While we and the rest of the world may never truly know all the details that led to these two countries attacking their neighboring countries, what we both agreed on is that whoever is asking for God to lead them in battle will be the ones that prevail.  

To preface the following verses, the armies of Reuben, Gad, Manasseh succeeded in battle because they trusted God to lead them.  This led me to do some research on Russia and Israel.  

Which one is praying to God to lead them in battle?  Have we even asked ourselves this?  

There are plenty of blogs and news websites online today that have their own opinion, but as People around the world, unless we are a member of the attacking leadership, we may not know this answer until well after the fact and there is a chance that we may never know.  I'd like to think, however, whichever army is praying for God to lead them, will prevail.  

God, did Israel's army leadership and Russia's leadership consult and pray with you before attacking their neighboring country?

God:  No, they did not.

Are both being done in vain?

God:  This is a complex situation that requires more than just a "yes or no" to satisfy your curiosity and those who will come across this blog and wonder as well.

Note:  Modern day war was not a part of my Spiritual Awakening; except when it came to the historical aspects of Israel and Russia and their leadership. I am being careful in my discernment with God and will not try to presume I know God's thoughts on the matter for He discerns with me what He wants to discern, typically when it comes to me personally, anything to do with my Spiritual Awakening and my past lives; existences which are numerous.

Genealogy from Reuben

5 Now the sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn, but because he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph, the son of Israel; so he is not enrolled in the genealogy according to the birthright. ² Though Judah prevailed over his brothers, and from him came the leader, yet the birthright belonged to Joseph), (Note:  This leader from the tribe of Judah refers to David and his royal line, and to Jesus, the Messiah, David's greatest descendant). ³ the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel were Hanoch and Pallu, and Hezron and Carmi. ⁴ The sons of Joel were Shemaiah his son, Gog his son, Shimei his son, ⁵ Micah his son, Reaiah his son, Baal his son, ⁶ and Beerah his son, whom ^[a]Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria took into exile; he was leader of the Reubenites. ⁷ His relatives by their families, in the genealogy of their generations, were Jeiel the chief, then Zechariah ⁸ and Bela, the son of Azaz, the son of Shema, the son of Joel, who lived in Aroer, as far as Nebo and Baal-meon. ⁹ Toward the east he settled as far as the entrance of the wilderness from the river Euphrates, because their livestock had increased in the land of Gilead. ¹⁰ In the days of Saul they made war with the Hagrites, who fell by their hand, so that they ^[b]occupied their tents throughout the ^[c]land east of Gilead.

¹¹ Now the sons of Gad lived opposite them in the land of Bashan, as far as Salecah. ¹² Joel was the head and Shapham the second, then Janai and Shaphat in Bashan. ¹³ Their relatives of their fathers’ households were Michael, Meshullam, Sheba, Jorai, Jacan, Zia, and Eber, seven. ¹⁴ These were the sons of Abihail, the son of Huri, the son of Jaroah, the son of Gilead, the son of Michael, the son of Jeshishai, the son of Jahdo, the son of Buz; ¹⁵ Ahi the son of Abdiel, the son of Guni, was head of their fathers’ households. ¹⁶ They lived in Gilead, in Bashan and in its towns, and in all the pasture lands of Sharon, as far as their ^[d]borders. ¹⁷ All of these were enrolled in the genealogies in the days of Jotham king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam king of Israel.

¹⁸ The sons of Reuben, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, consisting of valiant men, men who carried shield and sword and shot with a bow and were skillful in battle, totaled 44,760 who went to war. ¹⁹ They made war against the Hagrites, Jetur, Naphish, and Nodab. ²⁰ They were helped against them, and the Hagrites and all who were with them were handed over to them; for they cried out to God in the battle, and He answered their prayers because they trusted in Him. ²¹ They took away their livestock: their fifty thousand camels, 250,000 sheep, and two thousand donkeys; and a hundred thousand ^[e]people. ²² For many fell mortally wounded, because the war was of God. And they settled in their place until the exile.

Further explanation of 5:18-22 - *The armies of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh succeeded in battle because they trusted God. Although they had instinct and skill as soldiers, they prayed and sought God's direction. The natural and developed abilities God gives us are meant to be used for him, but they should never replace our dependence on Him. When we trust in our cleverness, skill, and strength rather than in God, we open the door for pride.  When facing difficult situations, seek God's purpose and ask for his guidance and strength. Psalm 20:7 says, "Some boast in chariots and some in horses, but we will boast in the name of the Lord, our God."  *Source:  Life Application Study Bible, NASB

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