The Old Testament accounts of God commanding the Israelites to destroy certain nations were not arbitrary acts of violence but specific judgments against peoples steeped in sin, idolatry, and moral corruption. These commands were given to protect Israel from spiritual compromise, prevent the spread of evil, and fulfill God’s covenant promises (Deuteronomy 7:1-5; 1 Samuel 15:3). God warned these nations of what would come if they refused to turn from evil and turn to Him before the violence came. When the Israelites disobeyed God and did not completely destroy these people, there were serious consequences (Judges 1:27-36; Judges 2:1-3). God does not condone indiscriminate violence but calls His followers to love their enemies, pray for those who oppose them, and share the message of salvation with all people. Rather than taking vengeance, believers are invited to participate in God’s redemptive plan, trusting His justice and mercy while working to bring His truth and love to every nation, tribe, and tongue. The violence of the Old Testament was for specific reasons at specific times against specific nations, with no universal instruction for violence. Ultimately, the Old Testament accounts where God commands killing highlight God’s righteous judgment in history while pointing forward to the gospel mission of reconciliation and grace for all who will repent from their sin and turn to God.
God's commands to kill others in the Old Testament are among the most difficult for people to comprehend. Why would God demand the Israelites to kill entire groups of people? Why did God, at times, approve of destroying the people of certain nations?
One way to address this concern is to acknowledge that these commands took place within the context of wars between nations. In times of war, the options are to fight and win or to be defeated. God had promised the Israelites they would be victorious and live in the land of Israel. To do so included defeating the already violent nations living in that land.
Defeating opponents in war during ancient times left the conquering side to deal with the inevitable survivors. Would they keep surviving soldiers, women, and children alive and make them servants, or was it better to completely destroy the opposing force? Apparently, due to both the violent nature of the Canaanites and neighboring groups as well as their worship of other gods, the Lord declared these enemies were to be completely destroyed.
Though such a choice seems extreme and unthinkable in today's world, keeping enemies alive would have the potential to later oppose the Israelites in war. Second, and more importantly, the survivors could cause spiritual harm through the worship of other gods. God's commands in these situations were to kill everyone in the community instead. We must remember the culture and time of when this violence happened and that God did not give a universal command to respond with violence. When He did command violence, it was for a specific reason at a specific time. God no longer commands such actions of His people.
Ultimately, our omniscient God has a perspective that no human being has. He knows the beginning from the end (Revelation 21:6). His ways are perfectly just (Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 89:14). We have no authority to judge God, so if something seems unjust by our standards, our perspective is flawed, not God’s commands.
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