In the Old Testament, conquest and war was an annual sessional event. According to the prophet Samuel, kings led their armies off to battle each spring after the snow melt made roads passable. Based upon the account of David being sent by his father to visit his brothers to see how they were doing, communication was usually sent by messengers often riding on horseback. However, today’s song speaks of the connection between spouses after one is sent off to war by their country.
In the spring, when kings go forth to battle, David sent Joab with his servants and all Israel, and they ravaged the Ammonites [country] and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem, 2 Samuel 11:1.
While letter writing is becoming a dying art, replaced by emails, Facetime and texts, receiving a letter is a powerful visual aide. As a college student, I wrote anywhere between 20 to 50 letters a month, trying to keep up with friends who chose another path in life. Depending upon the person I was writing, I might ramble on for 3-5 pages, filling in every important detail. This is the context of Letters from War, always eager to find out and know if their loved one in still alive. May the lyrics of Letters from War help you have a better appreciation for life in 2023.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 