As the world grows more dangerous in the form of terrorist attacks, wars, widespread violence, and the eruption of superpower conflict, it becomes apparent that the temporary reprieve that this nation had acquired after WWII is coming to an end, and we may indeed be all thrown in to new conflicts that require us as individuals and clans to withstand the oppression of others. The safety and freedom that we enjoy is not common to the world, and has not been the norm throughout history.  Take for instance, the history of the Jews of the Bible. A tiny race of people who have not only survived through the harshest of conflicts, but who have thrived.  It could argued that they have done so through the grace of God, and while this may be so, here are five strategies that you can use to increase your chances of survival should the bottom drop out from under you:

1. When the Lord your God has delivered them over to you and you have defeated them, then you must destroy them totally. Make no treaty with them, and show them no mercy. (Deuteronomy 7:2)  This one goes without saying, If you want to survive you must eradicate those who have chosen to oppose you. God told the Israelis to wipe their enemies out completely because he knew there would be no making peace with them. A point that has been proven repeatedly over the years.
2. Do not eat anything you find already dead. You may give it to the foreigner residing in any of your towns, and they may eat it, or you may sell it to any other foreigner. (Deuteronomy 14:21) Great advice in a survival situation. Who knows the implications of consuming meat from an animal that died of causes unbeknownst to you? However, why let that commodity go to waste when it could be put to use as barter material.
3. As part of your equipment have something to dig with, and when you relieve yourself, dig a hole and cover up your excrement. (Deuteronomy 23:14). This is a great piece of advice too. Leave no clues behind for your enemies to find and decipher information from, and exercise cleanliness in your camp as an attempt to combat disease and to cut down on the bacterial discharge of composting materials.
4. Do not charge a fellow Israelite interest, whether on money or food or anything else that may earn interest. (Deuteronomy 23:19) Another way of saying this is to treat your friends as close confidants and associates. Do not let them become just another business associate, lest they see the relationship as simply one of profit, and seek their commitments elsewhere.