In the Bible, “under the ban” refers to the prohibition of something or someone from being used or enjoyed, often as part of a divine command for destruction or consecration to God’s service. This concept is primarily seen in the context of warfare and judgment, such as in the conquest of Jericho (Joshua 6:17), where certain items and individuals were devoted to destruction.
Scripture
1 “When the Lord your God brings you into the land that you are entering to take possession of it, and clears away many nations before you, the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations more numerous and mightier than you,”
2 and when the Lord your God gives them over to you, and you defeat them, then you must devote them to complete destruction. You shall make no covenant with them and show no mercy to them.
3 You shall not intermarry with them, giving your daughters to their sons or taking their daughters for your sons,
4 For they would turn away your sons from following me, to serve other gods. Then the anger of the Lord would be kindled against you, and he would destroy you quickly.
5 But thus shall you deal with them: you shall break down their altars and dash in pieces their pillars and chop down their Asherim and burn their carved images with fire.
6 “For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.”
Understanding “Under the Ban” in Scripture
The concept of being “under the ban,” also known as being “devoted to destruction” (Hebrew: cherem), carries profound theological implications in the Bible, extending beyond mere prohibition to encapsulate deeper themes of holiness, obedience, and divine justice. In Joshua 6:17, the Lord commands that Jericho and all its inhabitants be devoted to destruction, underscoring the seriousness of sin and idolatry that was rampant in Canaan. This act of banning certain things reveals God’s abhorrence of evil and His desire for purity among His people. The implications of being “under the ban” also extend into the lives of the Israelites, as seen in the episode of Achan in Joshua 7. Achan’s transgression and his failure to adhere to the ban led to significant repercussions for Israel, highlighting the communal nature of sin and the importance of complete obedience to God’s commands.
Moreover, the concept evokes a broader spiritual and moral lesson. In the New Testament, the language surrounding being “under the ban” transcends physical destruction and taps into themes of spiritual sanctification. For instance, in Romans 12:1-2, believers are urged to present their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which signifies a similar devotion. The intense focus on what is holy versus what is profane prompts believers to reflect on their own lives and communities, encouraging a rejection of sin and a commitment to a lifestyle that glorifies God. The idea of being “under the ban” thus serves not only as an historical account of divine judgment but also as a call to holiness that resonates throughout the biblical narrative and into the lives of contemporary believers.
The theme of “under the ban” extends to the New Testament where it is interpreted in light of sacrifice and spiritual devotion. The concept suggests that certain actions, attitudes, or elements of life must be entirely forsaken for the sake of holiness. This is reflected in passages that call for the rejection of worldly values and the necessity of setting apart one’s life for God’s purposes. Such encouragement to renounce the influence of sin parallels the ancient practices where items or peoples devoted to destruction were removed from Israel’s midst so that the community could maintain its covenant relationship with God.
Additionally, teachings in early Christian communities emphasize the importance of moral integrity and the need for believers to confront and deal with behaviors that defile their witness. The early church grappled with the implications of being “under the ban” through discussions of church discipline and purification. For example, instances of immorality were addressed not only as personal failings but as matters affecting the spiritual health of the entire body of Christ, reflecting a communal responsibility akin to that seen in the narratives of Israel. Thus, the concept underscores a continuous calling for spiritual vigilance, urging believers to identify and eliminate those elements in their lives that hinder their relationship with God, ensuring that they remain distinct and devoted to fulfilling His purposes in a world rife with moral compromise. This persistent challenge throughout Scripture emphasizes the need to align personal lives with divine commandments, cultivating a community characterized by holiness and obedience.
The Concept of Devotion to Destruction
In biblical terms, being “under the ban” often refers to a state of being devoted to destruction or set apart for God’s judgment. This concept highlights the seriousness of sin and the consequences that come with it. When something or someone is placed under the ban, it signifies that they are to be completely destroyed or removed from the community, emphasizing the need for purity and holiness among God’s people. This notion serves as a reminder of the gravity of disobedience and the importance of adhering to divine commands.
The Call for Total Commitment
Another broader meaning of being “under the ban” relates to the idea of total commitment to God. It reflects a call for individuals or communities to dedicate themselves entirely to God’s purposes, often requiring the relinquishment of personal desires or attachments. This total commitment can be seen as a form of spiritual discipline, where believers are encouraged to prioritize their relationship with God above all else. The concept challenges followers to evaluate their priorities and to live in a way that aligns with divine will, often requiring sacrifices that may seem difficult or countercultural.
The Implications for Community and Identity
Being “under the ban” also has implications for community and identity within the biblical narrative. It serves as a mechanism for maintaining the integrity of the community of faith, ensuring that members are aligned with God’s standards. This concept can lead to a sense of collective identity, where the community is defined by its commitment to God and its separation from practices deemed unacceptable. It underscores the importance of communal responsibility and the impact of individual actions on the broader community, reinforcing the idea that faith is not just a personal journey but a shared commitment to uphold divine principles.
How to Embrace Holiness in Daily Christian Living
Embracing holiness in our daily Christian living is a beautiful journey that begins with a heart open to God’s transformative grace. It’s about cultivating a mindset that seeks to reflect Christ in every action, thought, and interaction. Start by immersing yourself in Scripture, allowing God’s Word to shape your values and decisions. Prayer is essential; it’s not just a ritual but a lifeline that connects you to God’s will and empowers you to resist temptation. Surround yourself with a community of believers who encourage and challenge you to grow in faith. Remember, holiness isn’t about perfection but about progress—acknowledging your shortcomings and leaning on God’s strength to guide you. As you strive to live out your faith authentically, you’ll find that embracing holiness brings a profound sense of peace and purpose to your life.
Bible References to “Under the Ban”:
Deuteronomy 20:16-18: 16 But in the cities of these peoples that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance, you shall save alive nothing that breathes,
17 but you shall devote them to complete destruction, the Hittites and the Amorites, the Canaanites and the Perizzites, the Hivites and the Jebusites, as the Lord your God has commanded,
18 that they may not teach you to do according to all their abominable practices that they have done for their gods, and so you sin against the Lord your God.
Joshua 6:17-21: 17 And the city and all that is within it shall be devoted to the Lord for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall live, because she hid the messengers whom we sent.
18 But you, keep yourselves from the things devoted to destruction, lest when you have devoted them you take any of the devoted things and make the camp of Israel a thing for destruction and bring trouble upon it.
19 But all the silver and gold, and every vessel of bronze and iron, are holy to the Lord; they shall go into the treasury of the Lord.”
20 So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they captured the city.
21 Then they devoted all in the city to destruction, both men and women, young and old, oxen, sheep, and donkeys, with the edge of the sword.
Joshua 7:10-15: 10 The Lord said to Joshua, “Get up! Why have you fallen on your face?
11 Israel has sinned; they have transgressed my covenant that I commanded them; they have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen and lied and put them among their own belongings.
12 Therefore the people of Israel cannot stand before their enemies. They turn their backs before their enemies, because they have become devoted for destruction.
13 Up, consecrate the people and say, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow; for thus says the Lord, God of Israel, “There are devoted things in your midst, O Israel. You cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the devoted things from among you.”
14 In the morning therefore you shall be brought near by your tribes. And the tribe that the Lord takes by lot shall come near by clans. And the clan that the Lord takes shall come near by households. And the household that the Lord takes shall come near man by man.
15 And whoever is taken with the devoted things shall be burned with fire, he and all that he has, because he has transgressed the covenant of the Lord, and because he has done an outrageous thing in Israel.’”
1 Samuel 15:1-3: 15 And Samuel said to Saul, “The Lord sent me to anoint you king over his people Israel; now therefore listen to the words of the Lord.”
2 Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘I have noted what Amalek did to Israel in opposing them on the way when they came up out of Egypt.
3 Now go and strike Amalek and devote to destruction all that they have. Do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.
1 Samuel 15:7-9: 7 And Saul defeated the Amalekites from Havilah as far as Shur, which is east of Egypt.
8 And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive and devoted to destruction all the people with the edge of the sword.
9 But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep and of the oxen and of the fattened calves and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them. All that was despised and worthless they devoted to destruction.
1 Samuel 15:13-23: 13 And Samuel came to Saul, and Saul said to him, “Blessed be you to the Lord. I have performed the commandment of the Lord.”
14 But Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears and the lowing of the oxen that I hear?”
15 And Saul said, “They have brought them from the Amalekites, for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen to sacrifice to the Lord your God, and the rest we have devoted to destruction.”
16 Then Samuel said to Saul, “Stop! I will tell you what the Lord said to me this night.” And he said to him, “Speak.”
17 And Samuel said, “Though you are little in your own eyes, are you not the head of the tribes of Israel? The Lord anointed you king over Israel.
18 And the Lord sent you on a mission and said, ‘Go, devote to destruction the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are consumed.’
19 Why then did you not obey the voice of the Lord? Why did you pounce on the spoil and do what was evil in the sight of the Lord?”
20 And Saul said to Samuel, “I have obeyed the voice of the Lord. I have gone on the mission on which the Lord sent me. I have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and I have devoted the Amalekites to destruction.
21 But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the best of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.”
22 And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.
23 For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king.”
1 Kings 20:35-42: 35 And a certain man of the sons of the prophets said to his fellow at the command of the Lord, “Strike me, please.” But the man refused to strike him.
36 Then he said to him, “Because you have not obeyed the voice of the Lord, behold, as soon as you have gone from me, a lion shall strike you down.” And as soon as he had departed from him, a lion met him and struck him down.
37 Then he found another man and said, “Strike me, please.” And the man struck him—struck him and wounded him.
38 So the prophet departed and waited for the king by the way, disguising himself with a bandage over his eyes.
39 And as the king passed, he cried to the king and said, “Your servant went out into the midst of the battle, and behold, a soldier turned and brought a man to me and said, ‘Guard this man; if by any means he is missing, your life shall be for his life, or else you shall pay a talent of silver.’
40 And as your servant was busy here and there, he was gone.” The king of Israel said to him, “So shall your judgment be; you yourself have decided it.”
41 And he hurried and took the bandage away from his eyes, and the king of Israel recognized him as one of the prophets.
42 And he said to him, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Because you have let go out of your hand the man whom I had devoted to destruction, therefore your life shall be for his life, and your people for his people.’”
Ezra 10:1-4: 1 While Ezra prayed and made confession, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, a very great assembly of men, women, and children, gathered to him out of Israel, for the people wept bitterly.
2 And Shecaniah the son of Jehiel, of the sons of Elam, addressed Ezra: “We have broken faith with our God and have married foreign women from the peoples of the land, but even now there is hope for Israel in spite of this.
3 Therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all these wives and their children, according to the counsel of my lord and of those who tremble at the commandment of our God, and let it be done according to the Law.
4 Arise, for it is your task, and we are with you; be strong and do it.”
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.