The Canaanites and the Justice of God

The Canaanites and the Justice of God

The God of Israel is sometimes criticized as being a cruel God for instructing Israel to destroy utterly the inhabitants of Canaan as they entered the Promised Land. Superficially, this criticism may appear to be justified. The searching question is asked, is this the manner of a loving and compassionate God? Surprisingly to many, the answer must be, yes, it is, and the discoveries of archaeologists show us why the Canaanites had to be destroyed.

When Abraham arrived in the land, although he had been definitely promised it by Almighty God, he did not receive it, nor did his descendants for several centuries afterwards. Why? "for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full" (Gen. 15:16). What was the iniquity of the Amorites?

Archaeology has given us the answer. Inscribed baked clay tablets at Ras Shamra (Ugarit) in Syria, and at other sites, have revealed something of the horrible nature of the Amorite religious practices. They worshipped gods who have been shown to be sexual perverts of the most grotesque kind, and who had no respect for the sanctity of human life. Countless children were sacrificed to their gods by being thrown into the fires of their god Moloch. Israel was forewarned about this abominable practice in Leviticus 18:21.

Also, funerary jars have been found containing the remains of young children distorted by suffocation as they struggled for life, after having been buried alive as a sacrifice to Canaanite gods. Such children have been found in the foundations of Canaanite houses. Thus archaeological discoveries have revealed a people whose moral sense was so debased that the God of Israel could not tolerate them in His land. Insurgent Israel, under God's instructions, was to purge out this people who were not fit to live. It was an essential task to be accomplished before the land was fit to be occupied. These Amorites were to be judged by their own standard of the expendability of human life, even of their own children.

That incoming Israel failed to complete this cleaning operation became the direct cause of their own moral degeneration, leading to their eventual dispersion. Israel became tainted by adopting some of these heathen practices. Knowing beforehand of this very real danger, the God of Israel clearly instructed His people of the need to be utterly ruthless. By so doing He was showing Himself to be, in fact, the loving Shepherd of His sheep, caring for their welfare in a very practical manner, by issuing these drastic instructions to cleanse the Promised Land on His behalf.

Originally found here

Related Articles

More From Articles

Ruth

The Hebrew Scriptures record the history of a gentile woman named Ruth.
Ruth
Illustration: Daniel in the Lion's Den

Daniel in Jewish Tradition

Considering the importance of the prophet-hakham Daniel, Shabbat Shalom has chosen to hear from…
Daniel in Jewish Tradition

The Brazen Altar

The first thing a person would see when they entered God's sanctuary would be the brazen altar,…
The Brazen Altar

Torah-You Need to Know to Know

The Torah says, "'When your son asks you in time to come, saying, "What is the meaning of the…
Torah-You Need to Know to Know

Who is Really Israel?

Do you have to be born from the literal ancestry of Abraham to be considered a part of Israel?…
Who is Really Israel?

Restitution

“If a person causes a field or vineyard to be grazed over or lets his animal loose to graze in…
Restitution

Torah-Caution

"And the LORD said to Moses, 'When you go back to Egypt, see that you do all those wonders…
Torah-Caution

Be Eve

I would say most people who have read the Torah probably know that Eve was the first person to…
Be Eve

Just Because God Didn't Say It

“The daughters of Zelophehad son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Makir, the son of…
Just Because God Didn't Say It

Jehoshaphat

King Jehoshaphat was the 5th King after King David.
Jehoshaphat
Elisah Oil

Elisha's Oil

A certain woman came to Elisha, the Hebrew prophet, and told him that her husband, who loved…
Elisha's Oil

Sabbath Rest and Eternal Rest

The introduction to the Ten Commandments starts out like this, “Then God said all these words:…
Sabbath Rest and Eternal Rest
Angel of the Lord

Angel of the Lord

Angel of the Lord is mentioned 52 times in the Hebrew Scriptures. It was the Angel of the Lord…
Angel of the Lord
Cain and Abel

Cain and Abel

God, in His great love, developed a plan whereby we could receive forgiveness for our mistakes.…
Cain and Abel

Publish the Menu module to "offcanvas" position. Here you can publish other modules as well.
Learn More.


donation