I was reading the bible lately, looking to inspire myself about God's great love but hit a stubbling block.
It was a random passage about Joshua receiving word from God to 'utterly destroy' a nation. Men, Women, Children the whole damn lot. Try to imagine babies and children having their throats cut and tossed from the city walls. My heart sunk.
Something that troubles me is, looking at it humanistically, one man has a vision, claims authourity from God, proposes an ideal nation and then procedes to commit genocide of an otherwise ignorant people.
I have no doubts in God and am a Christian but this trend is familiar for the greatest tyrants commiting the greatest atrocities in history and responsible for the 'crusades' not to mention the war threats today.
Can we really accept this as a righteous man following God's will or is it a corrupt government using the religious beliefs of a people to achieve its own Glory?
2006-12-11 20:47:02 · 10 answers · asked by The Tinker 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Shows us alot right? He will be ruthless to those who do not know Him.
Take the 1st passover. Without the blood of a perfect LAMB (ummm Jesus, hello) over your house, your eldest CHILD would die.
Do you know how many died so you can live? How many died to prove Jesus is who He is? G-d has done enough. Its time to accept His VERY clear message. Accept Jesus, or suffer major wrath.
Blessings
David
2006-12-11 20:55:24 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The destruction of societies such as Soddam and Gamora, Jerico and ancient Palestine were commited by God's will out of a since of divine retribution. A lot of people really hate that concept, but there is a time and place for it. Sin has to ultimately come to a halt, and these cultures were infact given more than a fair chance to repent and change their ways. Instead they kept right on worshiping demonic entities which demanded sacrifices of children, infants, and virgins and were generally as gruesome as a society can possibly be.
Forgiveness has to be tempered by justice.
The Israelites were exiled into slavery for four centuries so as to give these cultures that were whiped out a chance to change. That was four hundred years, twenty generations! That's more than just three strikes and they're out. They didn't even after all that time. Thus, when it came time to claim a home for God's chosen people, the sinful already present in the promised land had long since worn out God's mercy.
2006-12-11 21:02:04 · answer #2 · answered by Shawn L 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
At first let me ask you to read the Book of job chapters 38 to 42.
God created all things for Himself and all the souls and life proceeds from him. he have the authority to take ones life or to give ones life.
What would you say about the great flood and the destruction of all living beings including men, women, and children?
God made a covenant with Noah: Genesis 9: 11 And I will establish my covenant with you, neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.
What about the Egyptians and Pharaoh those were drowned in the read sea?
No man is allowed to judge God.
2006-12-11 21:09:58 · answer #3 · answered by Jac Tms 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go figure.Claiming authority from God and having authority from God is the difference.
Moses had authority from God to deliver the Israelites out of bondage from Egypt.
Joshua had authority to go into the promised land and take over the country for what God had promised Abraham.These men did not think they knew what God was having them do,they heard God for themselves.
Yes, Yes, anybody can say that and it would appear to us that maybe they did,or maybe they didn't.
The best thing for you to do is ask God for understanding into this because his word is Spiritually discerned,and if you aren't in the right Spirit to see why Gods attitude is the way it is more than likely you eventually become an agnostic or atheist,or maybe become one of those that go to war in the name of God.
Bringing all of this up I have been thinking lately how most Americans say we have to stick up with Israel,I am not so sure of that and am asking God myself for that answer.
2006-12-11 21:16:16 · answer #4 · answered by jackiedj8952 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since you are a Christian, I will just simply remind you that it's all about trust. What looks to us like an unbelievably horrid scenario, according to earthy justice, must have been God's will according to Divine Justice.
My only possible glimpse at God's mercy in stories like these is that God knew those innocent victims would be with Him for eternity. Had they had the chance to refuse God and worship Asherah poles, their destiny would have been sealed otherwise.
2006-12-11 20:54:43 · answer #5 · answered by nancy jo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As you said, you read the old testament at the time of Joshua..... That is at that time, but if you will proceed reading at the time of Noah God promise that He will not do things again that cause death and he even gave us the rainbow as sign of his promise, more forward at the New Testament He promise that He prepare for us an everlasting life and it was in heaven.
God truly love us that He do so many ways just to redeemed us to the extent of giving his only son.
2006-12-11 23:59:21 · answer #6 · answered by picturesque 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have answered this question a thousand times, God is a God of Love, Then God is a God of judgement, Then God is a God of wrath, So God gives them time to repent, If they don't then he tells them of his judgement against them & then God Pour out his wrath(Judgement) on them. Too many people always see God as a Gray bearded old man that can't hardly get around, God is none of that, He is very well & capable to do his own Wrath
2006-12-11 20:58:38 · answer #7 · answered by birdsflies 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
[3:76] Indeed, those who fulfill their obligations and lead a righteous life, GOD loves the righteous.
http://www.submission.org/suras/sura3.htm
Did Jesus or his Apostles follow a religion called Christianity? Who were the first 'Christians' ? Who founded Christianity and do the teachings of Christianity conform to the teachings of Jesus?
The teachings of Paul, the true founder of Christianity, cannot be found anywhere in the teachings of Jesus or in those of prophets before him.
http://www.thetruecall.com/home/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=122&mode=&order=0&thold=0
2006-12-11 20:53:39 · answer #8 · answered by A2Z 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Christians are not to question Gods will
2006-12-11 20:53:21 · answer #9 · answered by <::SmOkEy::> 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christianity did not happen until Crista did his thing.he tried to give us all a fresh start.some people just do not want to be good.
2006-12-11 20:54:05 · answer #10 · answered by stratoframe 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋