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Adventistische Schriften über: "Why does God command Israel to carry out the ban, even though He gave the command "Thou shalt not kill"?"
Answer
The decree of God to destroy the Canaanites stems from His infinite wisdom and love, as the land had to be cleansed of a degrading idolatry that would have prevented the establishment of the kingdom of God. The inhabitants of Canaan had, for decades, rejected opportunities for repentance and eventually lived only to mock God and defile the earth. When Israel carried out such judgments, it acted under divine authority as the executor of a heavenly verdict, whereby the command "Thou shalt not kill" prohibits personal intent and unilateral action, but not the execution of divine justice through His chosen instruments.
Divine Wisdom and the Necessity of Judgment
The total destruction of the people of Jericho was merely the fulfillment of the commands previously given by Moses concerning the inhabitants of Canaan... Many see these commands as contradictory to the spirit of love and mercy that is advocated in other parts of the Bible, but they were in truth the dictates of infinite wisdom and goodness. God was in the process of establishing Israel in Canaan in order to develop among them a nation and government that would be a revelation of His kingdom on earth... The Canaanites had devoted themselves to the most shameful and degrading idolatry, and it was necessary that the land be cleansed of that which would so surely prevent the fulfillment of God's gracious purposes.
Grace and the Rejection of Repentance
The inhabitants of Canaan had been given ample opportunity for repentance. Forty years earlier, the parting of the Red Sea and the judgments upon Egypt had testified to the supreme power of the God of Israel... Like the people before the Flood, the Canaanites lived only to mock the heavens and defile the earth. And both love and justice demanded immediate execution against these rebels against God and enemies of humanity.
Execution by Divine Authority vs. Human Judgment
Those who carried out this dreadful work of judgment acted under divine authority and executed the verdict of the King of Heaven. People must guard themselves against how, in their human blindness, they judge and condemn their fellow humans; but when God commands them to execute His judgment upon injustice, they must obey Him. Those who performed this painful act thereby expressed their abhorrence of rebellion and idolatry.
The Depth of the Command "Thou Shalt Not Kill"
When He said in tones that shook the earth, "Thou shalt not kill," He meant: "Thou shalt not harbor anger in thy heart; thou shalt not indulge in envy, strife, or anything even remotely akin to murder." All this and much more is contained in the words "Thou shalt not kill.
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Original Sources (English)
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