Deuteronomy 20:5-8 - The officers shall say to the army: “Has anyone built a new house and not dedicated it? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else may dedicate it. Has anyone planted a vineyard and not begun to enjoy it? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else enjoy it. Has anyone become pledged to a woman and not married her? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else marry her.” Then the officers shall add, “Is any man afraid or fainthearted? Let him go home so that his brothers will not become disheartened too.” When the officers have finished speaking to the army, they shall appoint commanders over it.

The Lord identified the following types of people who were excluded from battle in ancient Israel:

- Built a new house and has not dedicated it.

- Planted a vineyard and has not yet eaten of it.

- Betrothed to a woman and has not yet married her.

- Fearful and fainthearted.

New house: Received the Lord, understood the call, but did not consecrate the life. Did not yield the dwelling to the Holy Spirit. Preaching of the gospel without the experience.

Planted a vineyard: Understood the work, received salvation, was baptized in water, belongs to the church, but does not progress in the walk. Came to a standstill gospel (vineyard) without experience (fruit).

Betrothed to a woman: Is in the work. Has a function. The work is dynamic, as a marriage. Is not committed, has no responsibility with the work.

To marry a woman: This means to bear fruit, have children, produce new lives, show responsibility, maturity. Those who do not do so, bear no fruit in this work.

Fearful and fainthearted: Not ready for war. Is not living the Work as a way of life.