Subject: How our Loving God commanded such things |
Bible Note: When God said in His law "Thou shalt not kill", He chose to use one of several Hebrew words that mean "kill", this one that would be more properly translated "murder". Hebrew has a word that means "kill - to strike unto death", but with no moral implication, and it is used referring to killing an animal, for food or sacrifice. Different words are used to indicate malicious intent, ambush, and manslaughter (you meant harm but not death, nonetheless the victim dies). When the Bible records that God commands the death of people, the word meaning simply "to kill" is used. The Bible does not characturize God's actions as murder, but rather as killing. The primary difference is that the words for murder signify unjustified killing, whereas there is no question of justification when God kills or commands the death of people. When God does something, it is right for Him to do so. So we arrive at the crux of the matter - why? Why does God kill? Why does God command the deaths of innocent babies? The truth is, as high as the heavens are above the earth, so God's way are above our ways. We can only speculate. But we can begin our speculation knowing there must be a good reason. Is it because that particular nation was so riddled with disease? The sexual immorality of these nations that God commanded the complete destruction of was such that this would likely be the case. Or because God knew that if there were survivors, they would grow up in bitterness and rebellion, and cause further harm to themselves and to others? Was He judging the nation for sin, yet saving the innocent by calling them home to Himself? Since "the soul that sins God will blot from His book" (Ex. 32), those babies and young children that have not sinned because they have no understanding of law go to be with God. We ask "how can it be right for God to kill babies?" If we knew all the facts, as God does, we would be saying "righteous and true are Your judgments, O Lord!" The bottom line for each of us is whether or not our names remain written in the Lamb's Book of Life, not whether we are happy or sad here in this world. All this will be done away with, only the world which is to come will remain. All whose names are not in the Book of Life will be thrown into the Lake of Fire, all who are written in the Book of Life will be part of the first resurrection, to be with our God forever. The children of Amelek, who had not sinned for their young age, will be there with us, Glory to God our Lord!!! I hope this helps. Love in Christ, Mark |