Facing the Difficult Question about Violence Commanded by God in the Old Testament.

Facing the Difficult Question about Violence Commanded by God in the Old Testament.

After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses aide: Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Joshua 1:1-3

The Central Most Important Truth: God s Character is Fully Revealed In Christ.

The Central Most Important Truth: God s Character is Fully Revealed In Christ. [Jesus said:] The one who has seen me has seen the Father. John 14:9 In these last days, [God] has spoken to us by his Son The Son is the radiance of God s glory and the exact expression of his nature Hebrews 1:2-3 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. Colossians 2:17

A Caricature Must Be Corrected to Understand the Historical Narrative of God s Story

Not Israel fighting in the name of God but God fighting for His weak, helpless people The commands to completely destroy vs. to drive out. Not big civilian cities but small military fortifications. Completely conquered and annihilated vs remaining Canaanites. Translation probably not 12,000 from Ai killed but 12 squads of 10 = 100 120 killed at Ai. Trash talk war hyperbole. Totally destroyed The focus was to destroy military centers and corrupt religious practices, not people. This is not genocide!

Unique moment in Israel s history when God commands violent force limited to the Canaanite kings and their military forces. A closer look at the biblical text reveals a lot more nuance and a lot less bloodshed. In short, the conquest of Canaan was far less widespread and harsh than many people assume All the archaeological evidence indicates that no civilian populations existed at Jericho, Ai, and other cities mentioned in Joshua The primary focus is on Israel s ridding the land of idols and false destructive religious practices. (Is God a Moral Monster? Paul Copan)

Unique moment in Israel s history where God commands violent force limited to the Canaanite kings and their military forces. So what about Rahab and her family living in Jericho?

God Judges Evil by Using Evil to Destroy Itself so He Can Redeem His Creation.

Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, Are you for us or for our enemies? Neither, he replied, but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come. Joshua 5:13-14

you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die. Genesis 2:17 The wages of sin is death. Romans 6:23

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men Therefore God gave them up. Romans 1:18,24 (ESV) The wicked man makes a pit, digging it out, and falls into the hole that he has made. His mischief returns upon his own head, and on his own skull his violence descends. Psalm 7:14-16 (ESV) The one who sows to the flesh will reap destruction from the flesh. Galatians 6:8

Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God. For it is God s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For it is God s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong. Romans 13:1,4 The Lutheran Doctrine of God s Two Realms God s Left-Hand Realm Government/State Violent Power Israel God s Right-Hand Realm The Church The Gospel, Spirit, Love Israel

The LORD will drive out these nations before you because of their wickedness. You are not going to take possession of their land because of your righteousness or your integrity. Instead, the LORD your God will drive out these nations before you because of their wickedness, in order to fulfill the promise he swore to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Deuteronomy 9:4-5 Then the Lord said to Abram, Know this for certain: Your offspring will be resident aliens for four hundred years in a land that does not belong to them and will be enslaved and oppressed In the fourth generation they will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure. Genesis 15:13,16

For the Lord will not cast off forever, but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; for he does not afflict from his heart or grieve the children of men. Lamentations 3:31-33 The Lutheran Doctrine of God s Alien and Proper Work God s Alien/Strange Work (Is 28:21) Wrath and judgment against sin. God s Proper Work Grace and Mercy to save from sin. For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all. Romans 11:32

The Warrior-Looking God Conquers Evil By Sacrificing His Life in Christ For Us on the Cross Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. Hebrews 2:14-15

Engage in the Spiritual Battle with the Co-Suffering, Forgiving, Non-Violent Love of Christ. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Ephesians 6:12-13 (ESV)

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (ESV) But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:44-45