Three groups of men were exempt from battle: those who hadn’t finished building their houses, those who hadn’t yet eaten of their vineyards, and those who were engaged, but not yet married. In this, we see God’s desire that people delight in His blessings before they devote themselves to battle.

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. - 2 Corinthians 8:9

Jesus left the blessings of Heaven in order to bless us. And, while there is definitely a time for battle, there is also a time to delight in the blessings that are ours through the grace of the One who became poor that we might be rich.

A fourth group deferred from battle was comprised of those who were afraid. When people lack faith, they often begin to speak negatively to justify their own fears. Cynicism and criticism are often a cowardly covering for fear. And they’re contagious. That’s why those who were afraid were to go home.

If you want to be used by the Lord, ask yourself if your household is stable, if the work of your hands is thriving, if your marriage is healthy, if your heart is full of faith. If a man doesn’t have a home for his family, he ought to tend to that first. If a man doesn’t have a job and wants to be supported by others, he should get a job and succeed at that. If a man has a lousy marriage, he shouldn’t be taking on further ministry. If a man is full of fear, he shouldn’t try to hide behind ministry or missions. This passage is an important checklist for anyone who wants to be used by the Lord, to be engaged in His work.