God and War

Day 3,202, 11:13 Published in Serbia Canada by Jesse2016

There is a lot of questions surrounding the ethical justification of war and a good place to look is in the Bible concerning this issue. In the Old Testament, the nation of Israel was commanded to go to war against the nations that lived around the present day boundaries of Israel; for example the Canaanites, Hivites and other nations. These nations were particularly sinful, practicing things like divination, engaging in witchcraft and even sacrificing their children in the fire (Deut 18:9-11). So God decided to wipe out all these people so that Israel would not be tempted to practice the same sinful practices as those people before them. Deut 20:16-18 says “However, in the cities of the nations the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, do not leave alive anything that breathes. Completely destroy them—the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites—as the Lord your God has commanded you. Otherwise, they will teach you to follow all the detestable things they do in worshiping their gods, and you will sin against the Lord your God.”

This doesn’t mean that God doesn’t want certain people to be saved but rather God wants all people to be saved and to repent. 1 Tim 2:3-4 says “This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” Likewise 2 Pet 3:9 says “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” This means that God is very patient with people and gives them many chances and lots of time to repent and be saved. But God doesn't let sin go unpunished forever, there's a point when God says enough is enough and unleashes his fury on the sinners. For example, God knew that the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were utterly sinful, but he sent two angels to make sure that it is true and to give them the benefit of the doubt (Gen 18:20-21). Therefore, while God sometimes does allow war to happen for his divine purpose, ultimately he wants everyone to be saved and to receive eternal life with him forever.