The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Samuel 15:3,
"Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy all that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys."
Genocide. The Lord commanded Saul, through Samuel, to kill all the people, including the women, the children, even the livestock of the Amalekites.
Many people claim to know the Lord. Many people think they know a lot about the Lord. Many would be astonished to hear the Lord give the command to commit genocide, to wipe out an entire people. The neglect of the Scriptures, particularly of the Old Testament has resulted in some to "fill in the blanks" concerning what it is they think they know of God. Unfortunately, it results in people embracing a fictional god.
To be sure, our God is a god of love, kindness, mercy and grace. But, as he reveals himself in the pages of Scripture, he is also a god of justice, of judgment. "'Let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,' declares the Lord." Both kindness and justice.
Our understanding of God must come from God's own revelation of himself. He does this in the pages of Scripture, our Bibles. Here are some passages to consider:
"Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope." Romans 15:4.
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12.
"Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." 2 Peter 1:20-21.
"Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy all that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys."
Genocide. The Lord commanded Saul, through Samuel, to kill all the people, including the women, the children, even the livestock of the Amalekites.
Many people claim to know the Lord. Many people think they know a lot about the Lord. Many would be astonished to hear the Lord give the command to commit genocide, to wipe out an entire people. The neglect of the Scriptures, particularly of the Old Testament has resulted in some to "fill in the blanks" concerning what it is they think they know of God. Unfortunately, it results in people embracing a fictional god.
To be sure, our God is a god of love, kindness, mercy and grace. But, as he reveals himself in the pages of Scripture, he is also a god of justice, of judgment. "'Let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,' declares the Lord." Both kindness and justice.
Our understanding of God must come from God's own revelation of himself. He does this in the pages of Scripture, our Bibles. Here are some passages to consider:
"Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope." Romans 15:4.
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12.
"Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." 2 Peter 1:20-21.
The Scriptures, our Bibles, teach us about God. He reveals himself within its pages and informs us. We can avoid the misconceptions and errors so many around us have about God if we would but simply avail ourselves of what God has had written about himself.
Yes, God commanded genocide, and yes, at the very same time, God is loving, kind and compassionate. However, this will only bewilder many to hear this until they begin to make the effort to read their Bibles and gain an understanding of the true nature of God and learn from him.
May we all make the effort! When we do, we discover there is very little this life has to offer on as grand a scale as coming to know our Creator God.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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