Somone for the love of God rationalize Numbers 31 17-18!?
First of all atheists do not bother to answer since this is a question directed at christian ONLY.
I am a christian 18 years old and have been having trouble with the many of the killings and war in the OT as it seems out of sync with Jesus in the NT. This is like the fifth time I have asked this question here on YA so i would appriciate it if you could help me out here.
I have read that many of the wars and killings in the OT are allergorical and hyperbole. Meaning that when they say for an example: "They put them all to the sword and left nothing alive that breathes" It really means that they kicked their asses and won. Not literally that they killed everyone including women and children.
There is alot of evidence for this that many of the war accounts use hyperboles and not all they say is to be understood literally but I won't go into detail now. Anyway do you think this could be the case here? I can understand that God would kill those who had already committed great sins such as the midinite women who were not virgins but the little boys? Can you imagine going around hacking and slashing 2-3-4 year olds to pieces? I don't know about you but MY God would never command such. Again I am not trying to bash the bible but I am seeking answers for something that really bothers me.
THE BATTLE AXE: Assurances of Salvation? (10/07/2013)—(5) The many gifts from GOD through his Spirit make possible the confidence of believers. Fresh spirit content from GOD equip believers to increasingly operate having discernment (i.e., ability to correctly recognize the godliness and spirit content in events, other persons, things that are spoken or written, etc.). Using discernment, believers are able to avoid situations set up to attack, confuse, destroy and discourage belief. They do not allow themselves to become bogged down, depressed, dominated and entangled by those who insult and undermine their faith; believers are those grateful, saved and under the authority of Jesus Christ. Christian believers acquire holy boldness that serves like courage or fearlessness, making it possible to approach GOD to seek correction, forgiveness, help, and spiritual supplies; and making it possible to see that every “enemy” is already defeated. Believers do not always get every material thing they may desire, or feel they want as humans in flesh. However, with the record of covenant duties discharged, answered prayers, divine promises fulfilled, and prophecy continuing to be in force, all believers may have incontestable certainty for their sacred expectations (we say, hope). See Deuteronomy 28: 1-48, Hebrews 10: 15-30, 1st John 2: 1-3 and 1st John 4: 16-18, King James Version.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods; For the LORD our God, he it is that brought us up and our fathers out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and which did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and among all the people through whom we passed: And the LORD drave out from before us all the people, even the Amorites which dwelt in the land: therefore will we also serve the LORD; for he is our God. And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good. And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the LORD. And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the LORD, to serve him. And they said, We are witnesses. Now therefore put away, said he, the strange gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto the LORD God of Israel. And the people said unto Joshua, The LORD our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey. So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and set them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem. And Joshua wrote these words in the book of the law of God, and took a great stone, and set it up there under an oak, that was by the sanctuary of the LORD. And Joshua said unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us; for it hath heard all the words of the LORD which he spake unto us: it shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God. (Joshua 24: 14-27, KJV)
DOUBLE DAGGER: Jericho Justified? (07/02/2013); Theoretical Forgiveness? (07/03/2013); Why Did The Judges Fight? (10/19/2012); The Spirit is Willing (10/20/2012); Mob Rule and Violence (09/27/2012); Suppose I Am Wrong? (09/28/2012)
Jens, here are a few points Christian believers find useful to avoid spiritual confusion when considering accounts of warfare in the holy writings:
(1.) GOD is a spirit who uses divine utterance and sacred events to reveal divinity among and to created beings and living creatures. Included are commands, miracles, praise, promises, prophecy, and vision. Judgments against sin (we often say, plagues, punishments) are commanded by GOD that appear in the Scriptures as warfare between tribes and nations.
(2.) Many of the nations that come under the utter destruction of GOD in seeming warfare are in covenant and sacrificial relationships with GOD. Those who left Egypt with Moses, the twelve tribes of Jacob and the mixed multitude (we say, Gentiles), were called into covenant as an instrument to restore a peculiar balance between heaven and earth, GOD and mankind. Those who violate covenant do more than simply sin in behavior and conduct that is naughty. As with the betrayal of Judas, they overthrow divine relationship, and disturb cosmic order throughout the universe.
In addition to breaking off revenge, judgment, redemption, and salvation, there are multiple topics and issues, here, that one comes to understand only by spirit growth. There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually understood. (For example, (3.) Devices for Divine Person and finite beings to be in continuing relationship that cannot be ended by death have included dynasty, family, inheritance, divine proclamation and promise. What GOD begins in the life of one individual (e.g., Abraham) may be completed through the lives of others (e.g., Moses) who continue in the same posture to GOD. By death on the cross as an altar and holy table where heaven and earth are joined, Jesus established a greater way for intimate relationship. Mankind now receives a fresh endowment of sacred content from the makeup and person of GOD. Included are faith, holiness, gratitude, joy, longsuffering, wisdom, and wrath against sin.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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