Here, we see God giving Abraham and his descendants (and their spouses, I guess) some lands we now know as Israel, which is interesting, but if you’ve read some of the other Old Testament books before, you’re probably wondering, “If God’s so good, why did He send the children of Abraham to kill everyone in the land?” First, I’m like, “What? That’s kind of a weird question,” and second, I don’t think God wanted any peoples eliminated. Besides, if Jesus later says that the Gospel will be preached to all peoples first, and only then the end will come (Matthew 24:14), doesn’t that mean if any people group has been eliminated before, there’s at least a disciple of Christ in each of them by now? But even so, genocide is NEVER God’s heart or will. Indeed, this passage is found in page 8 of my NKJV Bible, page 10 of my NASB Bible (Old Testament), page 17 of my VOICE copy, and pages 17-18 of my Amplified Bible (Classic Edition) copy.
I should also mention that in those days (and for a very long time after that), the tribes fought each other constantly. I’ll say this repeatedly throughout my notes in case you don’t forget 😊 — I believe it’s no human right to eliminate any people group for any reason. Remember that Revelation 11:18 warns that God will destroy those who destroy the earth… and people are artistic because God made each one, including the homosexuals. Indeed, to be “cheesy,” earth without art is just “eh” 😂😂😂 it’s not worth it for any other people group to be destroyed. I’ve read about the Edomites (some of Abraham’s descendants through Jacob’s twin, Esau, both of whom are two of his grandchildren through Issac, his son of the promise (spoiler alert!)) having no future, but I think Jesus meant salvation for them, too, even with Obadiah’s strong words throughout his 21-verse book (it appears right before Jonah). It’s a real shame that many people believe that they should exclude others for the sake of being godly. This was never in Jesus’ heart. Didn’t He keep running off to the despised people of His day? We should do the same thing if we’re truly His. Indeed, I’m actually convinced that although most of the nations in the Middle East have behaved quite maniacal and evil in the past (with exceptions, of course), the U.S. has become more evil than this, just as Israel had done with her neighbours in 2 Kings 21. No wonder God called for a removal of the people from that place (2 Kings 21:10-15). I’ve let you know beforehand, so don’t worry. I especially believe this because gun violence is not only worshiped, but embedded into the very fabric of the U.S. itself. Just think of a few things, will you? Sandy Hook (2012), Trayvon Martin (2012), the 2016 police brutalities, and more recently, last weekend’s El Paso shooting… they’ve all got one thing in common, guys: political intimidation! We could be next! [silence] But thank God that people can be saved anyway… although if this continues a while longer, we might not have salvations happen anymore. God will not stand for this.
Have any prayer requests? Drop them in my e-mail: ron.outland4727@gmail.com! I hope you’re not offended by my words, but this is important. But I’ll read each e-mail you send me, and then write the prayer requests on paper and tape them to my bedroom walls 😁 I’ll see you in the next chapter!
Ron And His Stories 