Imagine the judge deciding that those men will go free if you or I allow one of our children to suffer death on a cross for their crimes. Anne Graham Lotz: What Impossible Situation Are You Facing? Some day, for all of you, if you dont know God, the music will stop. When reading the New Testament, people wonder why God's wrath against sin seemed to come to a stop. In suffering there is a message of unity. This requires dependence on God through prayer and the use of the Word of God. Through Dr. Fuller he discovered the writings of Jonathan Edwards, his most influential "dead" teacher. God illustrates "accidental death" as occurring when there is no intent to kill or to harm. When Jesus comes back, He will inflict vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. The banishment often lasted for life because the guilty party would not be released until the death of the high priest (Numbers 35:25, 28). God legislates death as the appropriate punishment for those who unlawfully put others to death (Genesis 9:6). Exodus 20:13 "You shall not murder." 3. But that's me, and that's due in part to the limits of man's love for others. Nashville, Tennessee 37203 This is an example of continuance of the war the Israelites had been engaged in with the inhabitants of the Promised Land, as directed by God. He doesn't owe us anything. Surely for your lifeblood I will demand a reckoning; from the hand of every beast I will require it, and from the hand of man. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out Gods wrath on the wrongdoer. Prior to this passage, Paul gave the principles of living at peace with all men and not taking vengeance into our own hands (Rom. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus challenges his disciples to live according to the standards of the kingdom of God and not the standards of the world or even of the religious establishment around them. We can be negligent in failing to warn others of danger or to speak up on behalf of those who are vulnerable and powerless. Since these are commands directly from God and God cannot lie, we understand that there must be no contradiction in the commands. We too rarely look at our own hearts to see the root of the problem. In Psalm 127:3-5 God tells us that children are a blessing. Will Graham Devotion: Remember these four promises from God when you find yourself asking the why question. And everything he does is just and right and good. Leviticus 19 is one such place where these commands are given. Copyright 2011-2023 Got Questions Ministries - All Rights Reserved. An example of this right now is that God has given the sword to the government (Romans 13:4). Local: 704-401-2432 While reasonable self-defense is recognized in Scripture, value for human life is the rule. God's love is a million times greater than man's love. The killing of Goliath by the young David was, likewise, justified in the eyes of God. Scripture makes that fact abundantly clear. Romans 13 breaks down the importance of the governments role in keeping the peace. Yes, God punishes sin. Follow Him and serve Him from this moment on. To enjoy our website, you'll need to enable JavaScript in your web browser. Does God allow killing in self-defense? Adapted from Suffering: Why Does God Allow It? by Billy Graham, Decision magazine, AugustSeptember 1981. Jesus suffered and died for us on the cross, but God raised Him from the dead. How is the Islamic idea of jihad different from violence in the Bible. Since evil nations want to abort babies, God allows it as an act of judgment on that nation and then punishes the nation for murdering human beings. The part that makes it harder is that he commands people to do it. It's right for God to slaughter women and children anytime he pleases. The choice is yours. But God replied, "You can do anything to him, except you can't kill him, and then we'll see" (Cf. God who is eternal hands out eternal life in paradise and eternal punishment in hell. And God, it says, let the sins of the Amorites accumulate for 400 years so that they would be full (Genesis 15:16), and then sends his own people in as instruments of judgment. God is not beholden to us at all. The Bible provides many circumstances under which the taking of a life is legally allowed by Scripture. To murder another human being is to murder what is most like God in creation. Jesus said, For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me (Matthew 25:3536). This is why Jesus came. (Romans 5:8), The prophet Jeremiah wrote, "The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: 'I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving kindness.'" He tells them that their righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 5:20), who sought merely outward conformity to the law instead of inward transformation of the heart. . He is not saying that what was written in the Old Testament is not true. It must be defensive, not aggressive. Now, one may say, Well, I have never nor will I ever commit murder! But two considerations give strong reason to take heed to this command and see it as relevant to all of us. Romans 12:19 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. The first act of worship is for you to make it right with him. How he takes away is his call. David did not trust in himself, but in the Lord to deliver Goliath into his hands. Washington, DC 20002 Don't kill in order to spread the gospel, but die to spread it.". You may say, "But some of those divine acts of judgment took the lives of infants.". Consequently, the one who murders another human being is guilty of assuming the right and privilege that is Gods alone. The act of murder is still subject to the punishment we see in Genesis 9:6. God decides when your last heartbeat will be, and whether it ends through cancer or a bullet wound. Try downloading another browser like Chrome or Firefox. You may say, "I don't feel like I deserve to pay for my sins.". A list of their sins can be found in Leviticus 18, including incest, murdering children, and so on. 7 People Committed Suicide in the Bible Let's begin by looking at the seven accounts of suicide in the Bible. On one hand, the Lord commanded the Israelites: "You shall not murder." He commanded Joshua to slaughter people, okay? Don't leave a donkey, child, woman, old man or old woman breathing. God gives life and he takes life. Were on a mission to change that. Now add to that the fact were all sinners and deserve to die and go to hell yesterday, and the reality that were even breathing today is sheer common grace from God. Instead, God handles every case according to His perfect justice and His amazing grace. Is his anger justified? He can cause a flood and kill everybody on the planet except 8 people and not do a single one of them any wrong. Christian Truth. Exodus 20:13 "You shall not murder." Latest Answers The killing in the Old Testament was often a demonstration of God's wrath against sin. by Roger Patterson on December 29, 2008 Featured in Demolishing Supposed Bible Contradictions: Volume 1 Is it okay to kill, like David killing Goliath or Joshua eliminating Canaanites? It's right for God to slaughter women and children anytime he pleases. . We know very little. His enormously successful web presence, Desiring God, reaches millions around the world and exists in multiple languages. The answer to why resides in the very first book of the . God says to Jeremiah, Before I formed you in the womb I knew you (Jeremiah 1:5). 10 Reasons Why Its Wrong to Kill an Unborn Child, A Shepherds Perspective: Loving God for Who He Is, Adultolescence? A Church-Based Help for Almost-Grownups. Examples of God sanctioning war can be found throughout the historical books of the Old Testament. For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Do you have concerns about Bible passages that have bothered you for years? Answer: We can define self-defense as the act of protecting or defending oneself, or others, when the threat of bodily harm exists. The sixth commandment, "You shall not murder," exposes a universal problem and a universal need for forgiveness. Therefore, He could eliminate evil within the world, but does not. Does God tempt us to sin? That doesnt fit most peoples image of God. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. My basic answer is that the Old and New Testaments present God as the one who has total rights over my life and over my death. My basic answer is that the Old and New Testaments present God as the one who has total rights over my life and over my death. (Acts 16:31). In the Bible you will find the answers to the questions and the problems of your life. Does God killing people make Him a murderer? He rules and governs everything. July 15, 2014 "Do not murder." Exodus 20:13 Murder goes deeper than the death of a human being by the hand of another human being. Because this passage precedes the Mosaic law and reaffirms humanitys image-bearing status, many believe capital punishment should still be applied today. This is shocking to us. I want you to decide the punishment for every criminal," I would not sentence most criminals to eternal suffering. Jesus Christ now sits at the right hand of God the Father and He sees our suffering. People are going to watch us as Christians. Topics: Suffering. And God, it says, let the sins of the Amorites accumulate for 400 years so that they would be full (Genesis 15:16), and then sends his own people in as instruments of judgment. Get the latest headlines: http://newsmax.com. . I could see myself handing down that sentence to a beast like Hitler and other monsters, but I cannot envision myself handing down the sentence of eternal punishment to the vast majority of unbelievers. He never wrongs anybody. We break the sixth commandment with the anger in our heart. Permissions Gods law differentiated between willful and involuntary killing. Murder, therefore, is distinguished from killing by the issue of motive. Biblword In the Ten Commandments, the Lord God says: you shall not murder. . My answer to that is that there is a point in history, a season in history, where God is the immediate king of a people, Israel, different than the way he is the king over the church, which is from all the peoples of Israel and does not have a political, ethnic dimension to it. Breaking into the house when people are in the house can be equated to modern-day robbery with violence. . The Enigma of Suicide: Answers From Billy Graham. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google
But when Isaac died, they came to bury him. Job 1:11-12). When I was asked to explain the tragedy of the fire at the MGM Grand Hotel, I had to say, Theres a mystery to tragedies like this. Discriminate means that the war is directed against enemy combatants and military targets, and that civilians are immune. And when we reconcile, we can go forth and resolve, God helping us, to let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. He is guilty of rebellion against God and attempting to put himself in the place of God. How can this be? But Scripture, and the words of Jesus in particular, will not allow us to hate murder at a safe distance. Would you have enough love for those criminals to send your child to suffer and die for their release? There is one way to escape God's wrath against your sin, and to come under His grace and eternal protection. In the third place, this is righteous because we know that God is righteous and always acts righteously. If we allow for killing to be wrong in every case, when a person carried out capital punishment, as commanded by God, they would have to be killed for the taking of a life. Answer There are many wars mentioned in the Bible. . - John 10:10 These words from Jesus may be very familiar to you. In 15 short lessons you will learn Gods message for you in his Word. Internet Explorer is no longer supported. Because we are made in the image of God, murder is a sin. (Jeremiah 31:3). Whoever sheds mans blood, by man his blood shall be shed; for in the image of God He made man, Demolishing Supposed Bible Contradictions Volume 1, Demolishing Supposed Bible Contradictions: Volume 1, Noahs Flood: a Historical, Global Catastrophe. How he takes away is his call. You are in one of two boats at this very moment. God makes plain his hatred of murder the moment it appears in Cains slaying of his brother Abel (Genesis 4:8). This place offered sanctuary from the vengeful relatives of the deceased, but it was also away from home. OpenBible.info Geocoding Topical Bible Labs Blog. If a thief broke into a house at night, he would have to fear the homeowner, who would not be able to determine an intruders intentions, whether theft of property or harm to the occupants. Some appeal to Genesis 9 in support of capital punishment. Why does God command so much killing in the Old Testament? Jesus himself said, My kingdom is not of this world. I want you to go to Heaven. But you must respond to Him. For humans, there is a mystery as to why God created the earth. For those who believe in him, the blood of Christ speaks a word of forgiveness and acceptance. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ. But he didnt ask anybody else to do that. Because it was the only way that God's love for us as well as His judgment against sin could both be satisfied. In the second place, this is righteous because God often kills people (or orders they be killed) as a judgment over their sins. Will what is formed say to the one who formed it, Why have You made me like this? Has the potter no right over the clay? (Romans 9:20-21). That is a severe warning for us and for all humanity not to reject Jesus, but to accept Him as our Redeemer and Lord. This translation would mean that God does not approve of the use of deadly force for self-defense regardless of the circumstances. In the Old Testament, the wrath of God was often unleashed against sin. If you have been born into the family of God, you are a child of God. It gets difficult when he uses others. First, it should be one of worship. At Wheaton College (1964-68), John majored in Literature and minored in Philosophy. Billy Graham: Why Does God Allow Suffering? A Time to Kill? As with capital punishment, Christians are divided on the issue of just war and whether Christians can serve in a nations military. David declares that we were fearfully and wonderfully made in our mothers womb (Psalm 139:13). "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." Mortal man hands out temporal blessings and temporal punishment in prison. The Bible says, "for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but My salvation shall be for ever, and My righteousness shall not be abolished" (Isaiah 51:6). Then your heart has known murder. They might think that Jesus' teaching to turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:39) is a reason. Get our Question of the Week delivered right to your inbox! Job was sharing his agony of spirit with the very God he could not understand. Isaacs twin sons, Jacob and Esau, had been feuding and fighting. Receive Jesus Christ into your heart as Lord and Master and Savior. Join 5000+ readers! He lived a sinless life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose so that we could have life in him, now and after death. In fact, two key words are used to describe the legitimate use of violence in a just cause. As fire swept through the MGM Grand Hotel, I saw the emergency crews, the military people, The Salvation Army, the Red Cross, the doctors, the nurses, and the people coming to donate clothes and food. Apart from Christ's death on the cross, we had absolutely no way to be forgiven. Because tragedy happened to you, it gives you a greater sense of oneness with others who experience tragedy. Even before the law was given to Israelbefore the commandment not to murderGod established capital punishment. This was an example of lawful killing as an act of God's divine judgment against sin. God is taking life every day. (John 3:36). You can know that you are prepared to meet God, whatever the future holds. Our modern version of a place of refuge is putting someone who kills in jail so that they can live to stand trial. Because we have been comforted through the Word of God, we in turn may be able to comfort others. The Bible says, It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment (Hebrews 9:27). . The wrath of God is far greater than man's wrath toward sin, and the love of God is far greater than man's love for others. Studying Romantic Literature with Clyde Kilby stimulated the poetic side of his nature and today he regularly writes poems to celebrate special family occasions as well as composing story-poems (based on the life of a Biblical character) for his congregation during the four weeks of Advent each year. We understand that God is all-powerful or omnipotent ( Matthew 19:26 ). Scripture taken from the New King James Version. "Jesus was so peaceful throughout His earthly ministry. . If you do so, these other verses Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica apply to you as well: For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with Him (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10). Sheriff Grady Judd is briefing the media regarding the arrests of twelve people in a family-run drug trafficking operation in Winter Haven called Operation Family Affair. (Exodus 20:13) This command forbade any unlawful killing. And everything he does is just and right and good. (Matthew 5:2122). But he didn't ask anybody else to do that. Is God a murderer? Would a good God permit pain? In addition to God's love being so much deeper than our love, God's wrath against sin is also much stronger. GIVE TODAY to help pastors around the world share Christ. What Made It Okay for God to Kill Women and Children In the Old Testament? A religious liberty newsletter that is a must-read for people of faith. (Hebrews 13:8). He wanted a career that would allow him to keep his Sabbath, and since mail isn't delivered on Sundays, the job seemed to be a safe bet. Help keep The Christian Post free for everyone by making a one-time donation today. So God has his times and seasons for when he shares his authority to take and give life. This text declares a dramatic difference between natural calamities and the work of God. The establishment of capital punishment actually extends back to the Noahic Covenant when God declared, Surely for your lifeblood I will demand a reckoning; from the hand of every beast I will require it, and from the hand of man. 1. Sibling rivalries have fractured families since Cain and Abel. On Nov. 21, 1980, when the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas burned, survivors were brought into the Convention Center, where our Crusade meetings were being held. (Matthew 5:44) But as I read the Old Testament, God commanded the killing of entire nations. Replace hate and anger with words that give life and bless others. But God has revealed answers through the Bible and through the person of His Son Jesus Christ. The Bible is clear that human life begins in the womb and not at birth. Why was it right for God to slaughter women and children in the Old Testament? . So what must we do? If you think the wrath of God in the Old Testament is hard to swallow, try coming to terms with what Jesus taught regarding eternal punishment in hell. Your newsletter signup did not work out. John Stephen Piper was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee to Bill and Ruth Piper January 11, 1946. On the other hand, God commanded His people: "In the cities of the nations the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, do not leave alive anything that breathes. God's commands to kill others in the Old Testament are among the most difficult for people to comprehend. That is not the same as you shall not kill. Bible verses about God Kills. The Bible teaches that Satan is the author of sin. He sees our life every day and knows exactly where we stand. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. All of our problems and our suffering, including death itself, are a result of mans rebellion against God. You've got human beings killing humans, and therefore a moral question of what is right to do. Answer The fact that God commanded the killing of entire nations in the Old Testament has been the subject of harsh criticism from opponents of Christianity for some time. If I were to drop dead right now, or a suicide bomber downstairs were to blow this building up and I were blown into smithereens, God would have done me no wrong. The Bible doesnt totally forbid killing people. Secondly, its means must be controlled. And he uses that fight to keep us safe until the end. Extending the logic allows us to see how absurd the claim of a contradiction truly is. So, how does God work redemptively between siblings, and how might parents do their part to promote peace. Topic: Redemptive History Why was it right for God to slaughter women and children in the Old Testament? Billy Graham often said he didn't have all the answers for human suffering but that the Bible offers hope in the midst of it. You see, God never does anything that is not perfectly just. In other words, God is calling Jonah to look at his own life and his own heart. You don't have to worry about everyone getting their "fair shake" when all is said and done. This prophesy from Isaiah was given 700 years before Christ was born in Bethlehem. If there is not an allowance to kill people, then God is breaking his own commandments. Hope youll give us another try and check out some other articles. How is that different from radical Islam? As it was stated, it doesn't feel hard to me, because God was stated as the actor. If your spirit is separated from God for eternity, it will be lost forever. Most relevant Job 1:1112). Did God Command the Mass Killing of the Canaanites? Terms of Service apply. The sword belongs to the governing authorities to wield and to deliver justice to those who commit evil. God already made His choice for a world of sinners who violated His perfect commands. Why does God allow evil and suffering? Exodus 21:14 "If, however, a man acts presumptuously toward his neighbor, so as to kill him craftily, you are to take him even from My altar, that he may die." 2. With Joshua there was a political, ethnic dimension, God was immediate king, and he uses this people as his instrument to accomplish his judgment in the world at that time. But it starts here with a confession: I am sinfully angry. Were on a mission to change that. Another reason God might allow Satan or his demons to attack is to build our maturity. An example of this right now is that God has given the sword to the government (Romans 13:4). Abimelech ( Judges 9:54 ) After having his skull crushed under a millstone that was dropped by a woman from the Tower of Shechem, Abimelech called for his armor-bearer to kill him with a sword. In this regard, Ecclesiastes 3 states that there is a time to both kill and to heal. Dan Delzell is the pastor of Wellspring Church in Papillion, Neb. The command is not given for vengeance but for justice, and the role of justice is carried out by one specific office. We ought to say, O God, I believe You are the great and mighty God. Exodus 22:2-3 reads, If a thief is found breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no bloodguilt for him, but if the sun has risen on him, there shall be bloodguilt for him. So even after the Ten Commandments are given in Exodus 20, we can see that God permits the taking of a life if ones own life is in potential danger. How can that ever be right? Wipe out Jericho.". To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the heavens . The sixth commandment, You shall not murder, exposes a universal problem and a universal need for forgiveness. Its objectives must be to secure justice or remedy injustice, to protect the innocent of champion human rights. Suffering carries a message of mystery. By faith, receive this gift of grace! There is no question that the Lord unleashed His wrath against the sins of the Canaanites. Billy Graham Jesus prayed that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You (John 17:21). As the author of the first five books of the Bible, Moses would not have written contradictory ideas. The God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament is the same God. The Lord painted a picture through the prophet Ezekiel of a watchman who was put in position to warn the city of the coming sword against it. Sin is the reason that we have afflictions, including death. God is taking life every day. Everybody who dies, dies because God wills that they die. Generally speaking, the killing of another person without malice (intent) or premeditation (the killing was not planned) would be considered (in the U.S. and no doubt other countries) a form of manslaughter. The devil said to God, If You take all those possessions away from him, hell curse You and turn from You. But God replied, You can do anything to him, except you cant kill him, and then well see (Cf. It is tantamount to an attack on the Creator of all life. In the Old Testament, God commanded the Israelites coming out of Egypt to take over the land of Canaan and kill all of the inhabitants. Remember these four promises from God when you find yourself asking the why question. Can't God kill the devil?