Why was God ok with the slaughter during the Exodus?

Question

Because from what I understand, Moses and his people killed a lot of people on the way to the "Promised Land" just because they woulndn't let them pass through their land. Why was God ok with this and never punished them for killing so many innocent people.

Answer 1

"from what I understand" let's me know it isn't from your own reading...

I think you need to actually READ it yourself.

I normally don't give such a long explanation of Bible passages and I'll try not to do this by spamming verses, but this is important to me. I am SO tired of seeing people who obviously have not read the Torah, twist its context and thus, mislead others who haven't read it and won't bother to take the time to discover on their own.

Here is a paraphrasing of MY OWN original writing about portions of the Torah and just some of the instances to show you that it wasn't a case of Israel marauding through the countryside.

I will pick up after Miriam's death in the wilderness and the Hebrews arriving on the borders of Edom. Moses requested from Edom permission to travel through their land on the way to Eretz Yisrael. Despite Moses' promises that they come in peace and will bring no harm to the land while passing through, the king of Edom refuses the Jews passage. The nation is forced to go completely around Edom, and approach the land of Canaan from the east.

Notice..attacking the kingdoms for refusal to pass through is not what happened in the texts.

Your question assumed that if they did not get permission to pass, they attacked. This didn't happen here. Now, look what happens the next time they're not given permission:

The nation traveled to Yeshimon, which lies on the east bank of the Jordan River northeast of the Dead sea. They send a message to Sichon, king of the Emorites, asking permission to pass through his land en route to Canaan. Just as the Edomites,Sichon refuses. But instead of allowing Israel to pass by ( they planned on going around them as they did the Edomites), he masses his armies and attacked the Jews. The Hebrews are victorious and occupy the Emorite lands. Og, king of Bashan, then attacks the nation. Moses leads them into battle and they kill Og and occupy his land, too.

The Torah tells in the story that each time they approached a new kingdom on the way to Caanan they sought permission to pass through and if refused tried to go around the kingdom.

I am not a Biblical literalist and I'm not going to assert that I'm certain the stories happened precisely as written. However, I do stand for veracity of the context of any written work. It irritates me when people try to claim a text says things it doesn't say. "just because they wouldn't let them pass through their land" isn't what the Hebrews did at all.

From my 21st century western perspective I could find fault with many cultural practices of the ancient Hebrews and all ancient peoples. I'm sure I could list things I find objectionable, so I don't think I need to embellish, as I believe this question does, in order to find them.

Shalom

Answer 2

Moses was born year 2433, 777 years after the flood, Pharoah was having all the male infants killed at that time, Moses was spared Acts 7:1-60;
Exo.1:8-22;
Matt.1:1-17;
The genealogy of Jesus is coming through Egypt, Jesus is heir to the throne.
Did Pharoah have any heirs left for his throne? Who's earth is he on that he can kill in the family of Abraham while he trespasses on God's earth without and ounce of thanks. What did God do to men in lien of Jesus, that did the same as Pharoah was doing just by dumping their seed / sperm upon the ground? Do not mess with God's business.
What was Abraham surrounded by Gen.14:1-18; Lawless trespassing land pirates. Family but not friends, Pharoah was family in disquise. God gave the land to Abraham for Generation four of his family Acts 13:17-23; they are to wipe out 7 nations as law given, law keepers, and law abiders [ God has been the only law enforcer ], at year 2513 and into the wilderness 40 years.
Now these Gal.3:16-18 have the law 430 to 470 years after Abraham.

Answer 3

If you were in the house with your loved ones, and someone came in to kill you all, and you had a gun in your hand, you would let them kill all your loved ones and you right?
People have "murder" and "killing" confused.
Most of the people that GOD had the Israelites to kill were sacrificing their new born babies alive in the fire to their false gods, having orgies sacrificing virgins , destroying the family unit and doing all kinds of evil things.
Most people SKIP that part of the Bible though, and only see what they WANT to see to justify their agenda and lifestyle.

Answer 4

Because in God's eyes, no one is Innocent. Everyone deserves death and destruction. But God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.

Answer 5

God wasnt and isnt ok with pplz being killed. it was not his intentions! When he created Adam and Eve, he made them to live forever, however b cuz of Satan(then the snake..lol) they lost there lives..."for the wages of sin is death..." Remember also Jesus came "...so that ye may have life, and have it in abundance.." So to rap it up neither God nor Jesus is pleased with pplz dying. Remember his promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, (Joseph who was Jacob song): "..i will bless those who bless u and i will curse those who curse u.." That my friend was y those pplz died in the book of Exodus! God Bless

Answer 6

Name one event in history where no innocent has ever been affected by it. That is a sad reality of life, even in the biblical framework of things. A decision that may be for the benefit for one, may result in a negative effect for another.

Ask a manager if they have ever made a decision that pleased everyone, in his company? It is literally impossible.

Answer 7

The Jews had to be preserved.

1) Many of those tribes were very aggressive tribes
2) The Jews had to make an offer of peace before any battle or siege.

Answer 8

Because the Israelites were the Chosen People and Palestine was the chosen land for them. They had to get there.

Answer 9

God said do not kill
so obviously he was not ok with this behavior
and there are many murderers that continue on in there lives like they have not committed a crime
just because there is not obvious vengeance doesn't mean that god condones that behavior

Answer 10

God told them to do it.

Gruz: God didn't order the slaughter of the firstborn Egyptians. God personally carried it out.