Please, your views.

Without doubt it catches modern readers, especially those who have not carefully examined the wider context of the events, as unnecessarily brutal and unacceptable to social sensitivities.

The "two choices" you cite are the ones most commonly cited by critics of the Bible record. Some declare the biblical record unacceptable and an unworthy "human record" of activity that is historically inaccurate and not to be confused with the real and authoritative Word of God. Others declare the God of the Bible unacceptable and unworthy of their respect and allegiance since, based on the words, he is bloodthirsty, unloving, and commands people to do what is immoral. It is also said that this "God of the Old Testament" is far different that the "God of the New Testament" and divine commands like this one are judged incompatible with and inferior to the love and forgiveness ethic of the New Testament.

We reject both of these options or choices and embrace a third one, the one provided in Scripture itself. To offer a truly complete answer and explanation would take more words than this email service is designed to give, and would require citing too many passages than allowable in this format. So you are invited to speak with one of our pastors, make use of some good study Bibles and commentaries that I hope will be very helpful to you, and to devote yourself to a serious study of issues involved.

To offer you at least some indication of the kind of response we will give you, I'll say this. To understand and properly appreciate the Lord’s command to Israel to wage war and destroy peoples, a person must consider a number of things:

1. There is the historical setting or context (e.g., previous and often repeated warnings to the people, the unwillingness of the peoples to heed the warnings or [in this particular case] even to be civil to the Israelites, the immoral and graphically godless nature of the lifestyles of Canaanite tribes, etc.)

2. The important distinction between a specific event and general events (that is, a biblical "precedent" vs. a Bible "precept" that is to be repeated by other people at other times.) The Bible does not give permission to anyone or everyone to replicate this kind of extermination or genocide that God saw as appropriate at that particular time and place.

3. God’s right to do things his way as opposed to humans making the decision. This event was not the idea of Moses or of Joshua, but of the God of all nations. Even if we cannot fully fathom his ways and thoughts as clearly as we want, our task is to humbly bow before his wisdom and love and justice all wrapped up together, also (or even) when we remain somewhat unable to "justify the ways of God to man" (as John Milton put it). There is a huge difference between what a given religious zealot may see as fitting and what God has revealed in his word.

4. And lest we forget, there are parallels between those activities and what will happen on the Last Day. God remains the God of justice and love, of kindness and severity all at the same time--and he will judge most severely those who spurn his promises and make light of his declarations of either law or gospel. The God of the Old and New Testaments is the the same, and we do well to contemplate that with an eye to the atoning work of Jesus Christ front and center.

5. Concerning the small children and those apparently not in a position fully to g.html the situation or apply any remedy, we leave them totally in the Lord's hands where they have always been and where they belong. God has been known to usher littles from life on earth for merciful and loving purposes and to spare them later hardships. Besides, the Bible knows of no "innocent" children in the full sense of the word, though we assume he will do what is just and fair given their limited access to his revealed word. Simplistic answers accomplish little. Thinking we are wiser or more loving than God is arrogance, and standing in judgment over Scripture is humanistic hubris, though quite popular.

We wish you well as you devote yourself to a thorough, prayerful study of these and similar Bible texts.