EXPEDITION GUIDE

Throughout human history, the need for protection has been fundamental to our existence. Consider how it might have begun – perhaps with a simple dispute over stolen property, like a goat taken from a neighboring ruler. This seemingly minor incident could have escalated into revenge, leading to violence and territorial conquest. To maintain newly acquired territory, rulers would employ guards and construct defensive walls, gradually developing what we now recognize as military forces.

Archaeological evidence supports these early military developments. The ancient city of Ur, mentioned in Genesis 11 and excavated in the 1920s by Sir Leonard Woolley, provides fascinating insights into early military architecture. This birthplace of Abraham (Genesis 11:27-32), dating to approximately 2100 B.C., featured impressive fortified walls – a testament to the ancient need for protection. Ur holds particular significance as it connects to Abraham, the common patriarch of Christian, Islamic, and Jewish faiths.

Biblical accounts further illuminate ancient military strategies. In Joshua Chapter 2, we find a compelling example of city fortification in the story of Jericho. The narrative describes how two Israelite spies were helped by Rahab, whose house was built into the city wall – a common architectural feature of ancient fortified cities. This detail provides a vivid picture of how ancient civilizations integrated defensive structures into general urban planning.

Moving forward in history, we see the evolution of organized military forces. The United States military tradition began in 1775 when the Second Continental Congress established the Army to protect the original 13 colonies. The Navy, while founded in the same year, wasn’t officially established as an independent service branch until 1798. Both branches were created with clear purposes: to defend our nation from external and internal threats and to protect our national interests.

However, the existence of military forces points to a deeper reality. The need for protection and defense stems from something more fundamental than territorial disputes. It reflects a broken world, far from its original perfect state. This brings us to a crucial question: Why do we need protection in the first place? The answer lies in understanding how our world transformed from perfect creation into civilization requiring walls, weapons, and warriors.

The military structures we see today is the response to a fallen world, one that departed from its original design when sin entered through Adam and Eve’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden. This “dereliction of duty” – their failure to follow God’s direct command – initiated a chain reaction which continues to affect our world today. Understanding this historical and spiritual context helps us grasp why protection, in both physical and spiritual forms, remains essential to human existence.