Why does God comm and so much killing in the Old Testament? Does God condone violence?

what does the bible say?

The Old Testament accounts of God commanding the Israelites to destroy certain nations were not arbitrary acts of violence but specific judgments against peoples steeped in sin, idolatry, and moral corruption. These commands were given to protect Israel from spiritual compromise, prevent the spread of evil, and fulfill God’s covenant promises (Deuteronomy 7:1-5; 1 Samuel 15:3). God warned these nations of what would come if they refused to turn from evil and turn to Him before the violence came. When the Israelites disobeyed God and did not completely destroy these people, there were serious consequences (Judges 1:27-36; Judges 2:1-3). God does not condone indiscriminate violence but calls His followers to love their enemies, pray for those who oppose them, and share the message of salvation with all people. Rather than taking vengeance, believers are invited to participate in God’s redemptive plan, trusting His justice and mercy while working to bring His truth and love to every nation, tribe, and tongue. The violence of the Old Testament was for specific reasons at specific times against specific nations, with no universal instruction for violence. Ultimately, the Old Testament accounts where God commands killing highlight God’s righteous judgment in history while pointing forward to the gospel mission of reconciliation and grace for all who will repent from their sin and turn to God.

from the old testament

• The Old Testament contains accounts where God commanded the Israelites to wage war or execute judgment (e.g., against Canaanite nations in Joshua 6–11). These were not universal commands nor arbitrary acts of violence but rather, specific judgments on nations engaged in extreme sin, idolatry, and moral corruption. God’s warnings were to prevent the spread of evil and to fulfill His covenant purposes (Deuteronomy 7:1-5; 1 Samuel 15:3). God’s justice in these commands was righteous and aimed at upholding holiness, not personal vengeance.
• God warned these nations of what would come if they continued in their sin and idolatry, calling them to turn from evil before judgment fell (Deuteronomy 7:1-5; 1 Samuel 15:3; Jeremiah 25:4-7).
• At times, the Israelites did not fully destroy their opponents (Judges 1:27-36; 1 Samuel 15:9). This often led to ongoing spiritual and moral problems. The remaining nations became a source of temptation, idolatry, and compromise, drawing Israel away from wholehearted devotion to God (Judges 1:27-36; Judges 2:1-3).
• For example, the Canaanites who were left in the l and influenced Israel to worship foreign gods, leading to cycles of sin, oppression, and repentance throughout the period of the judges (Judges 2:11-15; 3:5-7).
• Saul’s incomplete obedience in sparing King Agag and the best of the Amalekites’ livestock also brought God’s judgment upon him and cost him the full blessings of kingship (1 Samuel 15:3, 9-11, 22-23). These accounts demonstrate that partial obedience, even in warfare, carried serious spiritual consequences for Israel and highlighted the importance of trusting and following God fully.

from the new testament

• God does not condone indiscriminate violence; rather, He uses judgment in a just, purposeful way while offering forgiveness and restoration to those who repent (John 3:16; 1 John 1:9; 2 Peter 3:9).
• Jesus spoke of God’s desire for His people to pray for enemies and to love one’s neighbor as oneself (Matthew 5:44; Mark 12:31).
• ​​God doesn’t ask us to destroy others; rather, all people need salvation, and we are called to share His love and truth with everyone, including those historically hostile to us (Acts 1:8; Romans 12:20-21; Matthew 28:18-20), knowing that ultimately followers of Christ will come from every nation, tribe, and language (Revelation 7:9-10).

implications for today

God’s commands to kill others in the Old Testament are among the most difficult for people to comprehend. Why would God dem and the Israelites to kill entire groups of people? Why did God, at times, approve of destroying the people of certain nations? One way to address this concern is to acknowledge that these commands took place within the context of wars between nations. In times of war, the options are to fight and win or to be defeated. God had promised the Israelites they would be victorious and live in the l and of Israel. To do so included defeating the already violent nations living in that land. Defeating opponents in war during ancient times left the conquering side to deal with the inevitable survivors. Would they keep surviving soldiers, women, and children alive and make them servants, or was it better to completely destroy the opposing force? Apparently, due to both the violent nature of the Canaanites and neighboring groups as well as their worship of other gods, the Lord declared these enemies were to be completely destroyed. Though such a choice seems extreme and unthinkable in today’s world, keeping enemies alive would have the potential to later oppose the Israelites in war. Second, and more importantly, the survivors could cause spiritual harm through the worship of other gods. God’s commands in these situations were to kill everyone in the community instead. We must remember the culture and time of when this violence happened and that God did not give a universal comm and to respond with violence. When He did comm and violence, it was for a specific reason at a specific time. God no longer commands such actions of His people. Ultimately, our omniscient God has a perspective that no human being has. He knows the beginning from the end (Revelation 21:6). His ways are perfectly just (Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 89:14). We have no authority to judge God, so if something seems unjust by our standards, our perspective is flawed, not God’s commands.

Recap

understand

• Old Testament commands to kill were specific judgments, not universal endorsements of violence.
• Old Testament commands to destroy were aimed to stop sin, idolatry, and protect Israel spiritually.
• God calls us to love our enemies and trust His justice instead of taking vengeance.

reflect

• How do you reconcile the Old Testament accounts of God’s judgment with Jesus’ comm and to love your enemies?
• When are you tempted to take vengeance instead of trusting God’s justice?
• How can you share God’s love and truth with those you might naturally view as “enemies”?

engage

• How do the specific judgments in the Old Testament inform our understanding of God’s character?
• What can we learn from Israel’s failures to fully obey God’s commands about the consequences of partial obedience?
• How does the call to love our enemies and make disciples shape our approach to conflict and reconciliation in the world?