Did God Order the Israelites to Commit Genocide? (Joshua 9-22)

A Few Thoughts to Consider

How could a loving God command Israel to commit such violent acts as we see in Joshua?

While this is a subject we’ve touched on several times, it bears repeating because Joshua 9-22 sit as some of the most troubling passages of Scripture to modern Western readers. After the conquest of Jericho and Ai, the Gibeonites deceive the Israelites into forming an alliance, and their lives are spared. Then, we see Israel go on a series of lengthy conquests against the Canaanites.

In Joshua 10:40, we see this brutal account: “So Joshua conquered the whole region—the hill country, the Negev, the Judean foothills, and the slopes—with all their kings, leaving no survivors. He completely destroyed every living being, as the Lord, the God of Israel, had commanded.” This would include women and children, leaving many today to conclude the God of the Old Testament is immoral.

However, as Tim Mackie points out, there are several important factors to note.[1] First, the Canaanites were morally corrupt. Leviticus 18 tells us fathers were having sex with their sons’ daughters, there was widespread adultery, and sons were having sex with their father’s wives. It was a mess. Deuteronomy 12:31 also tells us they practiced human sacrifice. It says, “They practice every detestable act, which the Lord hates, for their gods. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods.”

Second, as Tim Mackie notes, “Joshua fits in with other ancient battle accounts by using nonliteral hyperbolic language as part of the narrative style.”^[2] Notice this original command in Deuteronomy 7:2, where God tells his people, “You must completely destroy [the Canaanites].” Then, in the next few sentences, he says, “Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy. You must not intermarry with them, and you must not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons.” As Tim Mackie notes, “You cannot marry someone that you’ve destroyed.”[3]

A similar hyperbolic narrative unfolds in Joshua 10:36-39. Speaking of the residents of Hebron and Debir, the text says the Israelites “struck them down with the sword and completely destroyed everyone in it, leaving no survivors.” But then, in Joshua 15:13-15, we see these towns still have people, indicating that not everyone was killed. Thus, this is not a command for genocide. Instead, he is enacting justice against a people who have become entirely morally corrupt. It’s a specific command for a specific point in history.

In chapters 13-22, Joshua divides up the land, and while these passages might seem irrelevant to us today, they were significant for God’s chosen people because they were evidence of God’s word coming to pass.

Despite Israel’s repeated sins and despite the wickedness of the Canaanites, the main thrust of God’s mission for his chosen people remained the same. They were to be a blessing to all nations and be representatives of God’s covenantal love.

A Meditation to PRAY

Praise | Lord, even when I’m tempted to think you aren’t good, you are. You are sovereign over all history, and I praise you for your unfailing promises and mighty hand that leads your people toward fulfillment and peace. Your ways and deeds are beyond my understanding, yet they reveal your power and faithfulness. 

Release | I release my struggles in understanding the conquests and battles of the past, recognizing that your wisdom transcends time and my comprehension. Help me to let go of any discomfort or confusion, trusting in your plan for justice and mercy.

Ask | Give me the wisdom to discern your guidance in my life. Teach me the lessons of faithfulness and obedience that I can draw from the Israelite’s experiences, and show me how to apply these principles in my life.

Yield | I yield to your will, trusting that you are leading me toward a future filled with hope and promise. Guide my steps in the path of justice and righteousness, and help me to follow the example of those who walked before me in obedience to your commands.

A Challenge to Act Like Christ  

The only way to properly read these conquest passages is through the lens of what Jesus has done. Joshua himself can be viewed as a type or foreshadowing of Jesus. Both figures are leaders chosen by God to guide their people into a promised land: Joshua leading the Israelites into Canaan and Jesus leading believers into the Kingdom of God.

Also, the conquest of Canaan can be understood as a symbol of the spiritual warfare that Jesus undertakes on behalf of believers. In Joshua, we see a physical battle for land and territory, but in Jesus, we see a spiritual battle against sin and death. The victories won by Joshua's army can be seen as a prefiguration of the victory won by Christ through His death and resurrection, ultimately securing salvation for all who believe.

The conquest narratives underscore the importance of obedience and faithfulness to God's commands. Joshua's success in conquering Canaan is attributed to his unwavering trust in God and adherence to God’s instructions. Similarly, Jesus embodies perfect obedience to the will of the Father, even unto death on the cross, ultimately triumphing over sin and bringing redemption to humanity.

Furthermore, the conquest of Canaan serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness to his covenant promises. Just as God fulfilled His promise to give the land of Canaan to the Israelites, he also fulfilled his promise of salvation through Jesus Christ. The Book of Joshua thus points us to Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises and the embodiment of his redemptive plan for humanity.

Because of Jesus, we, too, can enter the Promised Land by receiving his gift of eternal life.

[1] Tim Mackie, “Joshua,” The Bible Project, https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/joshua/.

[2] Tim Mackie, “Joshua,” The Bible Project, https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/joshua/.

[3] Tim Mackie, “Joshua,” The Bible Project, https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/joshua/.