Genocide

I often balk at the total destruction and slaughter commanded by the Lord and carried out by Israel as they took the land. It is important to remember that this was divine wrath, not just God preferring one people over another. It was not because of the Israel’s righteousness, but because of the other nation’s wickedness that God judged them (Deu 9:4). In fact the Lord was directly involved with the extermination of the Canaanites. He killed more with hail than with Israel’s army (Josh 10:11). He halted the sun to prolong the slaying (Josh 10:13). He fought for Israel (Josh 10:42). He hardened the hearts of most of their enemies in order to prevent peace treaties (Josh 11:20). We probably don’t understand the extent of the Canaanite’s wickedness and why it was necessary for God to pour out his wrath on them through Israel and supernatural means. Rather than setting ourselves up as judges, we should trust that God had his reasons and live in fear because our own “national wickedness” increases daily.