Did Moses commit war crimes?

Question

This is one of the most hideous war crime in a Bible filled with them. It is simply impossible to read this and still believe that it was inspired by a kind and loving God. Here's a brief summary, but if you haven't read the entire story, be sure to do so. (Numbers 31:1-35)

God tells Moses to "avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites." So "they warred against the Midianites, as the LORD commanded Moses; and they slew all the males," taking the women and children captive.

But when the officers returned from the battle, Moses was angry with them, saying, "Have ye saved all the women alive?" So he tells them to

...kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him. But all the women children, that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves. (Numbers 31:17-18)

Answer 1

what what what ??? Moses Peace be upon him is a prophet and a man of god, its immpossible that he have made war crimes

Answer 2

NO. There was no ACLU or Jesse Jackson around then. Seriously, to see why God took such severe action in wanting to wipe out these enemies of Israel, you can go see the current Independent film "One Night With the King" which is based on the O.T. book of Ester. The first 10 or so minuets of the film gives the background of how hundreds of years before King Saul of Israel did not kill all the men and women He was told to and what happened because of that later in the film. Here is an excuse to go see a movie for research. Don't forget the popcorn.

Answer 3

if Mosed done it in modern times, yes it is called crime against humanity. In the time of Moses, the nation of Israel haven't established yet ( notice "children of Israel"). God is in the process of establishing a model nation to be a example for all pagan people and countries around them. In those time, pagan people are practicing unsafe sex, STD's (sexual diseases) are so prevalent that you have to eradicate an entire country to prevent and eradicate the disease. ( they are not just practicing same sex but sex with animals too). That is why God had the strict instruction to kill everyone, but as you read along Moses let the woman live only if they are virgin. There is a lot of massacre mentioned in the Old testament because its the physical cleansing of the human body. while in the new testament it is the process of cleansing the moral and spiritual side of man.

Answer 4

yeah, I know. The Old Testament has a lot of literature marking the struggles of a people group thousands of years ago who leaned on their religion to cope with the difficulty of being human. They used it to interpret and explain their reality and that stuff is not quite inspired of God the way other passages are...like the prophets call for social justice.

Answer 5

Yes there are some pretty awful stories in the Bible.

Answer 6

Mohammed (fleas and feces be upon him) had a 9 year old "wife" whom he raped. Can you imagine? A 50 year old man ramming it into a little child? ALL religion is a sick, perverted fairy tale that justifies all sorts of atrocities!

Answer 7

No, the Messengers of Allah do not commit war crimes, whether it be Moses or Muhammad (peace be upon them)

Answer 8

How come you believe in that Bible story when you don't believe in the Bible? Something's wrong here.

Answer 9

Moses was always causing trouble. Do you remember how pissed he got when his brother came up with that whole golden calf thing?

Answer 10

No.