Bible Discussion Thread

In response to Charlie Frank 's comment, I am very glad you brought up this comment. When I first read Joshua, I was shocked by the violence of the book until I realized that God did give these tribes the opportunity to turn to Him before He destroyed them. The five tribes here sought to kill Joshua and his people because their neighbors, the gibeonites, turned to God. They attacked for spite of the Gibeonites, not in self defense. All of the tribes whom God slew through Joshua were those who had hardened their hearts against God. They committed the unpardonable sin of Pharaoh hardening their hearts against God, who otherwise would have been merciful. The violence in this book should not make us question God, but fear Him. They should also encourage us, helping us to know that if God is on our sides, nobody can hope to stand against us. God does not wish violence on His people, but He also promised to protect those who turned to Him against their forsworn enemies. And so with the people of Israel under Joshua God protects His chosen, who turn to Him in humility, recognizing their weaknesses and placing all at His feet.