What’s The Difference?

Q

When the Israelites were about to enter the promised land, the Lord commanded them to kill all the living, men ,women, children. I know our God is firstly and above all love, but he is also judgment. My question is, whats the difference between this situation and the muslim thing of killing those who don’t believe their religion?

A

You’re referring to Deut. 7:1-6. The people living in the land God was giving to the Israelites were under judgment for being disobedient by following a pagan religion (Deut. 18:9-13). He had waited 400 years for them to repent but they refused. God knew that if any of them were left alive, they would corrupt the Israelites. Therefore He made the people of Israel the instruments of His judgment and told them not to leave any alive.

The difference between this and Muslims killing non-Muslims is that this was a specific case of judgment against a disobedient people, not a general rule, and it was ordained by the Creator of the Universe.