People who want to discredit or deconstruct Christianity often use out-of-context Old Testament passages to derail conversations about the gospel.
Everything in Scripture must be put in context of the unfolding story of salvation, and it must be put in context of God's perfect character.(1)
Sadly, many atheists and “progressive Christians” distort the gospel for their advantage. I recently heard this example: “Genocide is biblical. Loving your enemy is biblical. You have to choose which parts of Scripture to believe.”
God's knowledge, justice, and purposes are perfect. When He told the Israelites to destroy complete nations, it came after His long-suffering attempts to turn those nations from evil. He knew every detail of every life taken. Nothing He did was unjust, harsh, or unnecessary.(2)
To compare God's perfect justice to humanly inspired genocide is blasphemy.
People who make this statement are saying they have a right to judge God, but He has no right to judge them.
Instead of seeking to understand the truth, statements like this "suppress the truth" (Romans 1:18).
That's why it's so important that we correctly understand God's Word so we can defend it against these distortions (2 Timothy 2:15; Jude 1:3).
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(1) It's important to Discern Between Temporary and Permanent Bible Commands.
(2) When God commanded nations be destroyed, He knew every innocent child and every true seeker. See Why Babies Go to Heaven. Just as Rahab turned to God in the midst of an evil nation, anyone who seeks God will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13). For one of many examples of God's long-suffering love, read the book of Jonah. To read about the extent of mankind's evil before the Flood, read Genesis 6:5-6.
If you would like to understand how to answer questions about God's commands to destroy pagan nations in the Old Testament, please check out these 1-minute devotions:
Why Did God Destroy Entire Nations?
The Prostitute: How God Valued a Single Soul
The Timing of God's Punishments
To see an example of a false teaching based on a single Old Testament law, see It Won't Hold Water.
Bible Love Notes
This devotion makes a very important point. So many want to judge God without even attempting to understand him. (Matthew 7:1-5) I had not considered this point. Thank you for sharing your insight.
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