The Justice and Mercy of God
The Holiness and Justice of God
Joshua 11-15
“They struck every person who was in it with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying them; there was one left who breathed. And he burned Hazor with fire.”
For the modern reader, the account of Joshua’s conquest is troubling. When they captured a city, they destroyed the people and put everyone to death, both young and old and men and women. We are perplexed when we read the account: How can a loving God of mercy and grace command Joshua to destroy the people? Was this a case of ethnic cleansing in which one people are destroyed and killed for the Jews to gain possession of the land? Were the Jews justified in their actions, or was it an act of barbarity? Did the Jews use the name of God to commit unthinkable genocide? As we read the narrative of Joshua’s conquest, these questions run through our minds.
To answer these questions, we need to affirm several essential truths about God and the command given to Israel. First, God is a just a holy God who always acts in perfect justice and righteousness. While God is a God of love and grace, we must never forget that He is equally a God of holiness and righteousness who cannot allow sin in His presence, nor can He allow sin to go unpunished. Throughout the Old Testament, we find this repeated affirmed in the acts of judgment by God upon sin. We also see this affirmed in the New Testament. In Romans 1:18, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.” Furthermore, Christ affirms that when He comes again, He will come to bring judgment upon sin and all those who reject Him (see 1 Timothy 4:1; Matthew 16:27; Matthew 25:31-40; John 5:22; 9:39). The holiness and justice of God require the judgment of sin.
Second, God’s command to Joshua to destroy the city was not because God favored the Jews, but was an act of judgment upon nations because of their gross idolatry that included the barbaric act of child sacrifice and temple prostitution. In Genesis 15:13-16, God tells Abraham there will be a 400-year delay between the promise given to Abraham and the fulfillment of the promise. The reason is that “the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete” (15:16). God does not judge before it is deserved, but we are tragically mistaken if we believe that God will not judge sin. God affords all people every opportunity for repentance (see an example in Jonah and Ninevah), and if they repent of their sin, He will avert judgment. However, there comes a time when their continual refusal to repent will lead to the outpouring of God’s terrible and fierce wrath upon sin. This was the case of the people in the land of Israel during Joshua’s conquest. The annihilation of the people was not ethnic cleansing but spiritual cleansing. Although God is a God of grace, He is also a God of judgment. To judge without the opportunity of repentance is unmerciful. To tolerate sin and leave sin unpunished is unjust. God is perfect and has in perfect balance justice and forgiveness, grace and wrath.
The book of Joshua is a reminder of both His grace and justice. We see His grace in the salvation and protection of Rahab and her family. Judgment and salvation are not universal, but personal. How we respond to God will determine whether we experience His grace or judgment. If we embrace the salvation He offers, we will experience salvation. However, if we continue in our sin, there will come a time when God states, “That is enough,” and he will bring swift and terrible judgment upon us. The question is not, “Is God just in bringing judgment upon the nations?” The real question we must ask is, “Have I accepted the offer of his grace?” This was true for the Canaanites as well. The Canaanites refused grace and chose sin, and as a result, they faced the terrible wrath of God. Rahab accepted the offer of Grace and was not only protected from judgment, but also placed within the Messianic line. Which offer will we accept?
Joshua 11-15
“They struck every person who was in it with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying them; there was one left who breathed. And he burned Hazor with fire.”
For the modern reader, the account of Joshua’s conquest is troubling. When they captured a city, they destroyed the people and put everyone to death, both young and old and men and women. We are perplexed when we read the account: How can a loving God of mercy and grace command Joshua to destroy the people? Was this a case of ethnic cleansing in which one people are destroyed and killed for the Jews to gain possession of the land? Were the Jews justified in their actions, or was it an act of barbarity? Did the Jews use the name of God to commit unthinkable genocide? As we read the narrative of Joshua’s conquest, these questions run through our minds.
To answer these questions, we need to affirm several essential truths about God and the command given to Israel. First, God is a just a holy God who always acts in perfect justice and righteousness. While God is a God of love and grace, we must never forget that He is equally a God of holiness and righteousness who cannot allow sin in His presence, nor can He allow sin to go unpunished. Throughout the Old Testament, we find this repeated affirmed in the acts of judgment by God upon sin. We also see this affirmed in the New Testament. In Romans 1:18, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.” Furthermore, Christ affirms that when He comes again, He will come to bring judgment upon sin and all those who reject Him (see 1 Timothy 4:1; Matthew 16:27; Matthew 25:31-40; John 5:22; 9:39). The holiness and justice of God require the judgment of sin.
Second, God’s command to Joshua to destroy the city was not because God favored the Jews, but was an act of judgment upon nations because of their gross idolatry that included the barbaric act of child sacrifice and temple prostitution. In Genesis 15:13-16, God tells Abraham there will be a 400-year delay between the promise given to Abraham and the fulfillment of the promise. The reason is that “the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete” (15:16). God does not judge before it is deserved, but we are tragically mistaken if we believe that God will not judge sin. God affords all people every opportunity for repentance (see an example in Jonah and Ninevah), and if they repent of their sin, He will avert judgment. However, there comes a time when their continual refusal to repent will lead to the outpouring of God’s terrible and fierce wrath upon sin. This was the case of the people in the land of Israel during Joshua’s conquest. The annihilation of the people was not ethnic cleansing but spiritual cleansing. Although God is a God of grace, He is also a God of judgment. To judge without the opportunity of repentance is unmerciful. To tolerate sin and leave sin unpunished is unjust. God is perfect and has in perfect balance justice and forgiveness, grace and wrath.
The book of Joshua is a reminder of both His grace and justice. We see His grace in the salvation and protection of Rahab and her family. Judgment and salvation are not universal, but personal. How we respond to God will determine whether we experience His grace or judgment. If we embrace the salvation He offers, we will experience salvation. However, if we continue in our sin, there will come a time when God states, “That is enough,” and he will bring swift and terrible judgment upon us. The question is not, “Is God just in bringing judgment upon the nations?” The real question we must ask is, “Have I accepted the offer of his grace?” This was true for the Canaanites as well. The Canaanites refused grace and chose sin, and as a result, they faced the terrible wrath of God. Rahab accepted the offer of Grace and was not only protected from judgment, but also placed within the Messianic line. Which offer will we accept?
Recent
Archive
2025
January
Who do we listen to?God's Patience and the Certainty of JudgmentThe Present Implications of the FutureAcknoweldgement, Confession, and ForgivenessThe Mark of a Genuine DiscipleThe Unchanging WordThe Lost ARt of DiscernmentA Life that Pleases GodThe Subtle Danger of Spiritual PrideContending for the FaithThe Judgement of False TeachersKeep Our Faith in a Fallen WorldSecurity in a Insecure WorldThe God who Controls HistoryThe Terrifying Majesty of ChristThe Majesty of GodThe Praise of God's JusticeHaving Right Priorities in Life
February
The Autobiography of GodThe God who CreatesThe God who RecreatesThe God Who Gives Us SignificanceThe Blessing of God's PlansTrusting in the Timing and Plan of GodThe God who ProvidesGod's Sovereignty and GraceThe King of Self or the King of KingsThe Exclusive Worship of GodHas God Forgotten?The Wonder of God's Plan and TimingGod's Sovereignty and Forgiveness
March
When Life and Faith Do Not AlignThe Jealousy of GodThe Judgment and Delieverance of GodGod's Provision, Presence and ProclamationSalvation and TransformationA Dwelling for GodThe Righteous and Loving GodPreparing for God's PresenceThe Requirements of a Holy GodThe Sacrifices and ChristThe Holiness of God and the Uncleanness of HumanityPrioritizing GodThe Severity and Grace of HolinessGod's Blessings and DisciplineAproaching God on His Terms
April
A Call to HolinessOpportunity or FailurePride and HumilityA Talking Donkey and a Prophetic JackassTransitions and EmpowermentThe God of JusticeThe Danger of Spiritual ForgetfulnessObedience and the Danger of ComplacencyThe Most Important DecisionThe Test of a ProphetHOLINESS AS A WAY OF LIFEThe ChoiceThe Faithfulness of God and the Fickleness of Man
2024
January
The Coming JudgmentThat is My KingThe Certainty of Christ's WordsThe Uncertain CertaintyThe Importance of Spiritual PreparednessThe Danger of Spiritual ComplacencyChrist's Measure of SuccessThe Unpopular TopicRejection, Confusion, Betrayal, and WorshipBetrayal and RedemptionThe Inexplicable Act of LoveBetrayal, Bravado, and FearBetrayal, Bravado, and FearThe Unlikely Witnesses of Jesus' DietyRemorse, Repentance and ForgivenessThe Power of the Crowd and the Power of FaithThe Irony of the CrucifixionThe Cost of SinThe Cure for SinThe Reality of the ResurrectionLiving a Life of SignificanceThe Attitude of a SlaveThe Basis for Confident LivingThe Basis for Confident Living
February
The Prayer God AnswersWhen Adversity Becomes a TriumphFinding Joy in the Ministry of OthersPursuing the InsignificantPerspective in SufferingThe Sacrifice of SelfIf God can do it, then why can't we.The "Kenosis" of Christ"THE NAME"Divine Initiative and Human ResponsibilityThe Age of ComplaintReorienting our Focus Pt 1
Categories
no categories
No Comments