Weapons of Warfare – the Principle of Surprise
By Gordon M. Swaby
On the last day of Sukkot 5784, a strange and frightening event occurred in the land of Israel. It was an occasion that saw a surprise attack from the Hamas militants. This attack came with aerial bombardment, a ground assault, and the abduction of many persons from the affected areas. The conflict has resulted in numerous casualties on both sides and has since intensified due to the strong counter-offensive led by the Israeli military.
In my recently published Weapons of Warfare workbook (which is derived from a modern military framework), one of the ten principles discussed is the Principle of Surprise. Defined by Wikipedia as “The consequence of shock and confusion induced by the deliberate or incidental introduction of the unexpected,” surprise is a deft weapon that can lead to an unprecedented advantage in battle, if used well. It can also serve as a valuable fillip for the ‘Uncommon Warrior,’ especially in instances where the outcome of the campaign does not seem favourable or where battle fatigue is beginning to set in.
Surprise also provides the ability to gain a distinct advantage under circumstances where one may be outnumbered and at a definite disadvantage. In such cases, treating with the enemy, using the standard means of engagement may be foolhardy. Consequently, it may require specific approaches that will allow one to neutralise any advantage the enemy may have due to such factors as their size or by virtue of them possessing superior power.
On this basis, it is easy to see the reasons for companies going to great lengths to conceal innovative products before a formal product launch, such as Apple did when they were preparing to launch their iPhone 14 Pro. Apple registered the product’s trademark in Jamaica through the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO) to ensure the product’s secrecy before launch (jamaicans.com).
SPONTANEOUS GIVING
Likewise, we see Jesus encouraging the Believers that in their giving, they should observe the following: “Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:3–4, NKJV)
This approach ensured that the distribution and utilisation of the Kingdom’s resources were preserved and that men’s hearts would not fall into pride because they spoke openly about their charitable deeds. Jesus was also encouraging giving, especially spontaneous giving, as a legitimate weapon of surprise for meeting various needs within the Kingdom.
The ‘Uncommon Warrior’ will need to be able to harness the element of surprise for his benefit (good surprises) while learning to minimise the impact of unplanned surprises (bad surprises), such as the one Jesus and His disciples found themselves in below:
“And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.” (Matthew 8:24–25, AKJV)
GOD WILL SUSTAIN US AND ISRAEL, EVEN THROUGH EVIL SURPRISES
The prophet Isaiah spoke these very telling words:
“In the evening, sudden terror! Before the morning, they are gone! This is the portion of those who loot us, the lot of those who plunder us.” (Isa 17:14 NIV)
Let us arise in the strength of God’s protection, knowing that He can help us overcome and thrive in all areas of our lives, no matter the evil surprises that may come against us. In this manner, we become watchmen on the walls, yielded to divine vigilance and available to ensure His will is truly done on Earth.
In the final analysis, we must remember that there is a dark force in this world that will take whatever is placed on its altar, whether the blood of Israelis, their enemies, or both. It does not matter to the force whose blood it is, as long as the supply of it is constant. Therefore, we must see the conflict in Israel from a bigger perspective and be guided accordingly in our prayers. This war is not just between Israel and its enemies; it is also a part of Satan’s plan to promote destruction on humanity, while at the same time catching off-guard and ushering into hell those whose lamps are empty, whose lives are bereft of Christ.
Now armed with this knowledge, we pray for the salvation of souls and peace over the Holy Land while standing vigilant against the works of the enemy, even as we wait patiently for the return of our Messiah, Lord, and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
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The “Weapons of Warfare” workbook exists as a tactical guide to growing the army of God so that they can manage multiple arenas of battle, whether it be family, business, or even ministry, and identify key strategies on how to overcome and win. It is presently available for free download at www.gordonmswaby.com. Contact Gordon M. Swaby (an engineer by profession and a Kingdom Visionary) at [email protected].
