Violence in the Old Testament
Teaching Notes
Question #1 - The Bible mentions “Thou shall not kill,” but why were there still killings happening even after that commandment?
God established governments to execute justice.
Anyone who injures their neighbor is to be injured in the same manner: fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. The one who has inflicted the injury must suffer the same injury. Whoever kills an animal must make restitution, but whoever kills a human being is to be put to death.
Leviticus 24:19-21
God stands in judgement over the human judges.
God calls the judges into his courtroom, he puts all the judges in the dock. “Enough! You’ve corrupted justice long enough, you’ve let the wicked get away with murder. You’re here to defend the defenseless, to make sure that underdogs get a fair break; Your job is to stand up for the powerless, and prosecute all those who exploit them.” Ignorant judges! Head-in-the-sand judges! They haven’t a clue to what’s going on. And now everything’s falling apart, the world’s coming unglued. “I appointed you judges, each one of you, deputies of the High God, But you’ve betrayed your commission and now you’re stripped of your rank, busted.” O God, give them what they’ve got coming! You’ve got the whole world in your hands!
Psalm 82 MSG
In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure.
Genesis 15:16
“Isn’t this what I said, Lord when I was still at home? This is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.”
Job 4:2
We do not stand in judgment of God.
God then confronted Job directly: “Now what do you have to say for yourself? Are you going to haul me, the Mighty One, into court and press charges?”… “Do you presume to tell me what I’m doing wrong? Are you calling me a sinner so you can be a saint?
Job 40:1,2,8 MSG
Question #2 - What made the other people lesser than the “chosen” people for them to be conquered by the “chosen” people?
Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?” The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.
Joshua 5:13-15
God chose Israel to bring all nations a solution to our sin and separation from him.
Question #3: How do I reconcile the God of the OT, the anger and destruction. with the love of Jesus?
Jesus is full of love, but he is also full of justice.
There is no one righteous, not even one.
Romans 3:10
All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 3:23
For the wages of sin is death.
Romans 6:23
The justice of Jesus in the Old and New Testament is reconciled through the love of Jesus on the cross.
Setlist
WFC Lenexa + WFC Anywhere
Praise You Anywhere- Brandon Lake
Thank You Jesus For The Blood- Charity Gayle
The Blessing -Kari Jobe
WFC Speedway
Firm Foundation- Cody Carnes
O Praise The Name- Hillsong
The Blessing- Kari Jobe
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