When we read Deuteronomy there is a lot to appreciate. Lessons on trusting God, moral guidelines in the Ten Commandments, and the passion of the dying leader Moses to the new generation to follow Yahweh so they find life. Almost always, though, there are also commands from God that offend and even shock us, because we can’t believe God would say these things.
This week we address God’s command in Deuteronomy 7:1-6 to kill every man, woman, and child in the towns that the Israelites are conquering in their Promised Land. How can we love a God who would tell His people to kill so many innocents?