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Statement 3: We have the genocide of entire races of people, supposedly ordained by God. (the entire conquest)
In Response: Let’s take a look at what Scripture has to say about this…
The Holy Bible, New International Version, Deuteronomy 9:1-6
1Hear, O Israel. You are now about to cross the Jordan to go in and dispossess nations greater and stronger than you, with large cities that have walls up to the sky. The people are strong and tall—Anakites! You know about them and have heard it said: “Who can stand up against the Anakites?” 3But be assured today that the LORD your God is the one who goes across ahead of you like a devouring fire. He will destroy them; he will subdue them before you. And you will drive them out and annihilate them quickly, as the LORD has promised you.
4After the LORD your God has driven them out before you, do not say to yourself, “The LORD has brought me here to take possession of this land because of my righteousness.” No, it is on account of the wickedness of these nations that the LORD is going to drive them out before you. 5It is not because of your righteousness or your integrity that you are going in to take possession of their land; but on account of the wickedness of these nations, the LORD your God will drive them out before you, to accomplish what he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. 6Understand, then, that it is not because of your righteousness that the LORD your God is giving you this good land to possess, for you are a stiff-necked people. (emphasis added)
RESOURCE:The Believers Study Bible
9:5 God acted in divine judgment against the wickedness of the Canaanites to allow the Israelites to dispossess them. Though the gift of the land was not dependent upon the righteousness of Israel, but was the result of God’s mercy, the continued possession of the land was certainly contingent upon Israel’s obedience.
From looking at the Scripture and the quoted resource, it is plain to see that “the genocide of entire races of people” was indeed (not “supposedly”) ordained of God. At this juncture one might be tempted to say that the text was purposely distorted to justify the Hebrew’s actions. My reply would be that if you cannot trust one part of the Bible to be true, how could you trust that any part of the Bible is true? People who pick and choose parts of the Bible to believe and/or disbelieve are living for themselves, trusting in their own wisdom and limited understanding. God’s Word warns time and again about leaning upon you’re own wisdom and/or the wisdom of men/mankind [humans].
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