Waltke’s essay was critical in understanding the Old Testament and narratives of war and violence. This helped me to draw new knowledge into my Christian life. The newfound knowledge, however, goes against Waltke’s essay. I now believe that I AM is not a warrior but instead is steadfast love. Based on several scriptures from the New Testament, and even scripture that Waltke referenced from the Old Testament, I cannot accept God as a warrior. Waltke spends a large portion of his essay on Moses and the Israelite Nation in the time period after the exodus. “Moses Battles with Pharaoh as a prophet with a staff, not as a warrior imbued with physical strength and cunning” (p. 395). Waltke himself quoted this scripture, which clearly states a few
