Devoted to Destruction (Is God Guilty?) by Tim Parkinson
Have you ever heard the term, “Devoted to Destruction“?
This is found in the social laws for God’s chosen people, Israel, to keep them free from any sin that could ultimately destroy their nation.
Exo 22:20 He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed
This can be a hard subject for many people that should be explored and considered. We should seek to dispel any confusion and arrive at a conclusion, so any doubt (or unbelief) in us is removed.
Is God guilty of killing people? Does God have culpability in the calling for people to be killed or cultures to be made extinct? Are there different moral absolutes for God, than what He gives to His children? (Of course not!)
Not many can understand or articulate their own understanding about these topics we read about in the Old Testaments. So let us decide to be the ones to seek to understand and convey these truths, so that our children can live in the light of God’s grace, without the doubt that plagues so many people’s faith. God would never say one thing and do another.
As we understand God’s word, the Bible, we will grow in faith in God, who doesn’t change. He’s perfect in all His ways. Our understanding needs perfecting.
Jos 6:15 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and compassed the city after the same manner seven times: only on that day they compassed the city seven times.
Jos 6:16 And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city.
Jos 6:17 And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the LORD: only in Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.
Jos 6:18 And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it.
Jos 6:19 But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, are consecrated unto the LORD: they shall come into the treasury of the LORD.
Jos 6:20 So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.
Jos 6:21 And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword.
Jos 6:22 But Joshua had said unto the two men that had spied out the country, Go into the harlot’s house, and bring out thence the woman, and all that she hath, as ye sware unto her.
Jos 6:23 And the young men that were spies went in, and brought out Rahab, and her father, and her mother, and her brethren, and all that she had; and they brought out all her kindred, and left them without the camp of Israel.
Jos 6:24 And they burnt the city with fire, and all that was therein: only the silver, and the gold, and the vessels of brass and of iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the LORD.
Jos 6:25 And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father’s household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.
Jos 6:26 And Joshua adjured them at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before the LORD, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it.
Jos 6:27 So the LORD was with Joshua; and his fame was noised throughout all the country.
What doctrine do You Follow?
Where there opposing viewpoints on scripture, doctrines (that divide) are developed to explain and defend their varied points of view. Whether we need to choose to embrace one viewpoint or another is a personal choice. Whereas, taking time to get more information and guidance from the scriptures would serve us well.
Some will prefer to join one side or another, whether they have evidence or not
The problem, question or conundrum is this. Does God, did God, and will God give license to total destruction of a people group or anything that is against Him or His will?
Faith in God is the cornerstone of our spiritual life so we should consider any troubling concepts that might be a hindrance to our faith. Our goal is to seek an answer through scripture, so that our faith is strengthened rather than left questioned.
Let’s start with the 5 Ws
1Who – Joshua the newly inaugurated leader of the Children of Israel
2What – Gives command to their armies to destroy all living creatures in Jericho and burn all the contents of the city. There would be no taking of loot, but the valuable contents would be saved and stored for later use by the priesthood.
3When – This took place after Israel crossed the Jordan into the Promised Land. Although they had previously defeated other kings in battle, Jericho was the first city in this promised land they were to take for their inheritance.
4Where – Jericho is located on the west side of the Jordan Rift Valley, just north of the Dead Sea. It is situated on a fertile plain irrigated by a natural spring, which makes its location highly desirable for settlement. 16 miles east of Jerusalem.
5Why – Why we’re the people of Jericho to be destroyed is the question that disturbs the theology of some people. The adversary to our souls would love for us to stay confused or double minded regarding God’s nature or His allowing or condoning this event to occur. We’re all these people and animals worthy of death?
Understanding God’s Perspective
Humans cannot understand God’s thoughts and ways, as the human brain is childlike in its development compared to God’s eternal perspective . That’s why we need to hear His word and receive it’s embedded faith, so our understanding can grow thereby. We can only hope to understand God by his word and not by the word of man.
Let us begin by considering these questions and finding some answers.
Who rightfully owned the city of Jericho?
Were the children of Israel attacking it or reclaiming it? What caused the city and its contents to be accursed? What are accursed things anyways?
Did God order the destruction of Jericho (or did Joshua)?
What good could be served by the destruction of the city and its inhabitants?
How does it relate or is there anything for us to learn for our lives through this event?
Let’s pray that God will give us answers to these questions through His word and to make our darkness light.
Who owned the land area where Jericho was built?
Do people simply own an area because they built dwellings there?
Psa 24:1 A Psalm of David. The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
Psa 24:2 For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.
Psa 24:3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?
Psa 24:4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
Psa 24:5 He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
Psa 24:6 This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.
• God’s ownership of the Holy land certainly predates the developments & building of cities and kingdoms by the offspring of Noah.
• Genesis 10 tells us the earth was divided according to their families and languages. Thus, the bigger and stronger families occupied whatever lands they wanted. The boundaries of their lands were determined by force. There were no squatters rights, no dibs, no “I was her first”. No equal distribution by vote.
Anyone having built a city, was only there as long as someone stronger allowed them to be there.
Jericho’s name reflects the name of the person who built it, like many cities did. There a son of Joktan (from Shem) named Jerah (Gen 10). The Hebrew name is translated “moon”. It is said the walls of Jericho were built for religious rituals and worship of the moon.
The Owner Decides
The first distribution of land, by it’s proper owner, we see happens in the Bible in Genesis 12.
Gen 12:7 And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.
• We see that at His appearance, God promised to give Abraham’s seed the land. God owned it and transferred it by promise to Abraham’s seed.
Gen 13:17 Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.
• After separation from nephew Lot, God made Abraham a promised gift of the land, as far as He walk.
Later God reveals
Gen 15:13 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;(Egypt)
Gen 15:14 And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.
Gen 15:18 In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:
One can see that the seed of Abraham is truly blessed and provided for, while the nations they will be forced to serve will be judged by God.
• It is important to note that God’s ultimate plan for Abraham and his seed is to bring forth the Messiah through his family lineage. These covenants and promises fulfilled will ultimately destroy the power of the kingdom of darkness and establish the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Exo 4:22 And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:
Exo 4:23 And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn.
In the Book of Joshua
The person of Joshua is very similar or is a living representation of Yeshua, Jesus. They have the same name, which means salvation. They both lead God’s children into the promised land (a picture of heaven)
Just as no living thing was allowed to survive Jericho, flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. Likewise, all our deeds in this life shall be tried with fire and only the precious things will survive.
• Surmise that God was unrighteous by not allowing anyone to survive, is merely a supposition of human imagination or logic, but without any evidence. Since God lives in eternity, knowing the end from the beginning, He alone knows whatever the future of that city might have had. To suggest another outcome for Jericho is an argumentative guess by someone who thinks they know more than God.
The Eviction
From Israel’s viewpoint, they we being obedient to remove the squatters (or trespassers) on their God given property. The people of Jericho knew that in life, ownership of property went to the strongest. They might have left or surrendered and perhaps saved their lives. They trusted in their walled city, when they should have believed in the mighty One of Israel and accepted His ownership. They heard how He stopped the Jordan River from flowing. They decided to trust in their walls.
Jos 6:1 Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in.
Joshua speaks
Jos 6:17 And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the LORD: only Rahab the harlot shall live,
chêrem cherem
khay’-rem, kheh’-rem
From H2763; physically (as shutting in) a net (either literally or figuratively); usually a doomed object; abstractly extermination: – (ac-)curse (-d, -d thing), dedicated thing, things which should have been utterly destroyed, (appointed to) utter destruction, devoted (thing), net.
Accursed things have no purpose or value. Pornography is an example. It has no intrinsic value and cannot be redeemed. It serves no good purpose, so it is at odds with God. Tarot cards, charms, ceremonial masks or clothing, religious icons, ouija boards, (*tattoos) are examples
Act 19:19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.
These magic books could only serve mankind by being destroyed, thus saving anyone who might have been influenced by their existence in the future.
Another accursed thing would be an idol, an entity or object of worship other than God. An idol is something we depend on for our life, peace & wellbeing rather than God. It is created or given it’s place by the worshipper. Idols must be destroyed so no one else might be misled or hurt by them.
Just as Sodom had devolved such a state of perversion, or the world of Noah’s time where people did evil all the time, why couldn’t Jericho have been equally fit for destruction?
This is one viewpoint. Here’s another. We see the same word for accursed translated “devoted to”.
Lev 27:28 Notwithstanding no devoted thing, that a man shall devote unto the LORD of all that he hath, both of man and beast, and of the field of his possession, shall be sold or redeemed: every devoted thing is most holy unto the LORD.
Lev 27:29 None devoted, which shall be devoted of men, shall be redeemed; but shall surely be put to death.
• This could be considered as an act of worship. We see in the Old Testament, where worshippers make sacrifice or an offering to the Lord, thus no longer claiming any ownership, as the offered thing is separated or holy unto the Lord. This sealed the city’s fate, as an object devoted to destruction is given by the act of a devoted worshipper in ancient times. So, we see that the Lord gave the city and it’s inhabitants to Joshua in Josh 6:2, but Joshua, as leader, chose to destroy this gift of Jericho as an act of dedication and worship. This is a hard thing for modern man to rationalize, but was a common demonstration of showing one’s unswerving dedication and allegiance during old Testament times.
• Perhaps this was a serious act of devotion by Joshua, he did not hate these people of Jericho, or feel they needed to be destroyed because of their sins. He was wanting to show God that he wasn’t motivated by the spoils of war, but instead by doing God’s will and fulfilling his new appointment.
Jesus came and showed us a new spiritual way to deal with accursed things, by making spiritual sacrifices to God through
• being a royal priesthood,
• presenting our bodies,
• not neglecting to do good, but sharing,
• leading people to the Lord,
• giving to God’s work and
• through prayer.
We should remember that the shedding of blood and sacrifice of living animals was part of the Old Covenant. Today, we would abhor such actions, thinking that we are more civilized than past generations.
Saul’s vow in 1 Sam 14.
1Sa 14:24 And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted any food.
Saul making a vow that anyone eating would die, so God would give him victory in battle. The problem was that he made this vow in haste and his beloved son, Jonathan had eaten some honey, unwittingly breaking his fathers rash vow.
Ecc 5:4 When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.
Ecc 5:5 Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
Don’t Judge
We really shouldn’t try to look at past civilizations and judge them by modern standards. We don’t learn any lessons that way. Jesus satisfied the need for bloodshed in keeping the covenant of peace with God. No more killing will ever be needed. He really brought about the more modern viewpoint of morality (to please God).
Application
How does Joshua’s first battle, with Jericho, relate to us today?
• Joshua was a forerunner (though Jesus existed in the Beginning) of our Deliverer who was to be born.
• He’s previously has been to the promised land and knows the way. He has no fear of it.
The way to living a godly life is to remove any inhabitants (of our former lives) and destroy by fire any reminders that could hinder or tempt us to return to the life in the wilderness.
God gives us the authority to decide how we will react in situations. Knowing His word will help us to decide God’s will for us. Not knowing His word leaves us with the responsibilities and penalties for making wrong choices. We increase in our growth and maturity by making the right choices.
• It’s interesting that Achan, the one Israelite who, in defiance of orders, had took and held onto an accursed item from Jericho, fell under the same condemnation as the city. Though victorious in battle, this man lost in life by giving into his fleshly desires.
• God leads us through our battles to causes us to triumph, but we must follow His commands and directions. Let’s remember this man, who should have kept away from the accursed objects and things devoted to destruction, so we don’t suffer the same fate.
God’s been blamed wrongly for centuries for what His own creations have said He’s done, not done or should have done. We will grow in grace as we research and discover the truths in His word and as we trust in the one we call Lord.
*Tattoos
Through time and around the world, the reasons for getting tattoos are numerous and varied. They include religious purposes, for protection or as a source of power, as an indication of group membership, as a status symbol, as an artistic expression, for permanent cosmetics, and as an adjunct to reconstructive surgery.
And now, a new reason can be added to the list: Andrew Fisher, an American webpage designer, recently auctioned his forehead as ad space on eBay. It sold for over $37,000 and left Andrew with a snoring remedy logo tattooed (semi- permanently) on his head for a month.
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