Jesus vs Joshua: Love or Kill?

Jesus vs. Joshua: Love or Kill?

This difficult story below is discussed in the booklet: Love Your Enemies or Kill Them? This is a short summary of some its ideas, but for more info please read the booklet.

So it was, when they brought out those kings to Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said to the captains of the men of war who went with him, "Come near, put your feet on the necks of these kings." And they drew near and put their feet on their necks. Then Joshua said to them, "Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed; be strong and of good courage, for thus the LORD will do to all your enemies against whom you fight." And afterward Joshua struck them and killed them, and hanged them on five trees; and they were hanging on the trees until evening. Joshua 10:24-26

And afterward Joshua struck them and killed them, and hanged them on five trees; and they were hanging on the trees until evening. So it was at the time of the going down of the sun that Joshua commanded, and they took them down from the trees, cast them into the cave where they had been hidden, and laid large stones against the cave's mouth, which remain until this very day. Joshua 10:26-27

On that day Joshua took Makkedah, and struck it and its king with the edge of the sword. He utterly destroyed them—all the people who were in it. He let none remain. He also did to the king of Makkedah as he had done to the king of Jericho. Joshua 10:28

This event shaped Israels’s understanding of God’s character. Their leaders, placing their feet on the necks of their enemies, declared with certainty, “This is what our God will do to our enemies!” But did they truly grasp God’s true character? Was this an accurate picture of God’s justice, or were they interpreting victory through their own human perspective? 

The way we see God affects how we treat others. If we think God is angry and ready to destroy His enemies, we will act the same way. If we believe God is kind and forgiving, we will also show kindness.

In the Old Testament, the Israelites often saw God as a strict judge who punished those who disobeyed Him. They thought He wanted them to wipe out their enemies. But when Jesus came, He showed a completely different picture of God—one of love, mercy, and forgiveness. (For more in-depth, see the booklet The Two Mirrors) 

God's mercy was there in the Old Testament, but it was veiled due to human unbelief and a need to work with human understandings of justice. God tried to give more light, but only when Jesus came could we get a full picture of what the Father is like. (Christ's Mission to the World and Removing the Veil)

The Israelites were afraid of God. When God spoke to them from Mount Sinai, they were so terrified that they told Moses, “Do not have God speak to us, or we will die” (Exodus 20:19). They believed God was distant and ready to punish them.

This fear grew stronger when they faced challenges. When they reached the Promised Land and saw how strong their enemies were, they cried out, “Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword?” (Numbers 14:3). Even though God had promised to protect them, they believed He wanted to harm them. Their fear made them misunderstand God’s true character.

Since the Israelites believed God was harsh, they treated others in the same way. When they entered Canaan, Joshua led them into battle, destroying entire cities (Joshua 6:21, Joshua 10:40). They thought this was what God wanted.

In 1 Samuel 15:3, God commanded Saul to destroy the Amalekites completely. The Israelites believed their enemies had no hope of mercy. They thought God only wanted justice and punishment, not forgiveness. But later in the Bible, God says, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice” (Hosea 6:6). This shows that the Israelites did not fully understand God’s heart. (This difficult story is addressed in Natural Justice and Atonement and Moses and the Slaughter of the Midianites)

Jesus came to reveal who God really is. Instead of destroying His enemies, He loved them. He taught, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). This was completely different from the way Joshua and the Israelites had treated their enemies.

Even when Jesus was suffering on the cross, He did not ask God to destroy those who hurt Him. Instead, He prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). Jesus showed that God does not want to conquer and destroy people—He wants to save them.

The Israelite’s view of God was shaped by their fear. They thought He wanted to punish them, so they punished others. But Jesus came to correct this misunderstanding. He showed that God is full of love and wants everyone to repent and be saved (2 Peter 3:9).

Today, we must ask ourselves: Do we still see God like Joshua did, as warrior who crushes His enemies? Or do we see Him as Jesus revealed—a loving Father who forgives and heals?

If we believe God is harsh and full of wrath, we will treat others with judgment and condemnation. But if we believe God is loving and merciful, we will show the same love and mercy to those around us. (See also Mirror Principle)

Which view of God do we choose?

maranathamedia.com/book/view/love-your-enemies