Why Did God Command the Canaanite Conquest? With Clay Jones

The claim is often made that the Canaanite Conquest in the Bible was genocide by divine command. But is there more to the story? What's really going on in the book of Joshua when God commands Israel to wipe out the Canaanites? Clay Jones joins the podcast to talk about this much misunderstood topic.
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[@rebekahguilder602]

It's hard when we read scripture through the lens of our culture and time.

[@rocketscientisttoo]

Yes, it is hard to read it now because we are the most pampered society of our time, but it is impossible to interpret any historical book correctly anytime we impose "our" worldview upon the text.

[@pelgrim8640]

@@rocketscientisttoo I'd say it's hard because we have become smarter and don't just accept such silly nonsensical barbarisms that easily anymore.

[@masada2828]

@@pelgrim8640 -but it will come again.

[@pelgrim8640]

@@masada2828 Unfortunately, yes, religious superstition keeps rearing its ugly head. But the "nons" are fortunately growing in numbers.

[@TheMrPeteChannel]

So if your God told you to kill babies who can't even walk or talk yet you will do it?

[@AwayWithWordsMusic]

Thanks for this video! Having been raised by parents who trusted Christ for salvation, being instructed at home, in church and a Christian School through 9th grade I had all kinds of knowledge about the Bible. However, as an older adult, revisiting old testament writings I became very perplexed with topics such as those addressed in this video. This information has really helped me today. Thanks again.

[@debraburton4594]

Unbelievably honoring to God with how this was explained! We will never be able to understand the ways of God but in humility we realize He is sovereign and we are but mere mortals! Thank you for explaining this!

[@toughbiblepassages9082]

"We will never be able to understand the ways of God.." It sounds like you are saying the answers given in this video are intellectually unsatisfying. I agree they are.. but THIS particular topic IS capable of being understood. There WAS justice in Israel including even the children in their targeting, because even the children were guilty. God does not command the killing of the innocent.

[@nguyenagain7897]

Thank you Alisa and Clay! I have a trauma background myself. I had a feeling Clay was going to say, "Trauma induced Sexual Aberrancy is nearly impossible to reverse." He is absolutely right. There are multiple studies on childhood trauma that support this. Its a terrible truth to comprehend. Thank you for speaking truth.

[@samanthajeffers9339]

I hope you’re doing okay!!

[@amandamcgovern5744]

I’m confused by this comment. Are you saying you should have been killed?

[@samanthajeffers9339]

@@amandamcgovern5744 ? I think we had a misunderstanding. I was trying to point out that God’s heart is always for children, no matter what. It’s okay if you disagree. We might be talking past each other. Not trying to be a bother, just thought you would like a thoughtful perspective.

[@amandamcgovern5744]

@@samanthajeffers9339 what are you referring to here?

[@faithburke617]

I would just like to point out that absolutely nothing is impossible with God. and that's a fact.

[@richardfrerks8712]

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you GOD...

[@rockpaperscissors82]

Of the many important points that Clay makes, the most important is how warped our view of sin has become over the past hundred or so years. It's beyond our comprehension that God would actually punish sin through violence. As such, it's easy to understand why those (like Peter Enns) who interpret the violence against the Canaanites as entirely a cultural misunderstanding of God's will by the Israelites at the time are also the same people who reject eternal damnation. Their presupposition is that God is not the sort of God who would do that. Even many evangelicals have unwittingly bought into this view of God, even if they don't draw the conclusions (yet) that Enns draws. You can certainly find this view in most megachurch pulpits.

[@melindamercier6811]

It’s definitely a testament to how we take God’s mercy for granted in this day and age. He is truly long-suffering.

[@rockpaperscissors82]

@@melindamercier6811 Long-suffering indeed. Very well said.

[@PjotrII]

"Their presupposition is that God is not the sort of God who would do that." If God is an angry hateful god full of revenge ready to do genocides when he can´t control himself, and Jesus would therefore not reflect God in any way" then i do not follow that god even if he existed. But if Jesus is a reflection of what/who God is, and the genocides are ancient peoples interpretations of God, then I will continue to follow Jesus.

[@michelleenglehardt4106]

@@PjotrII God is Holy.

[@melodysledgister2468]

@@PjotrII Then you are following a "Jesus" of your own making. Besides, Clay and Alisa explained why this was not genocide.

[@cyndidempsay5542]

Thank you, Alisa and Clay. I am mid 50's and was blessed to be raised in very sound theological Christian home, sunday school and Christian school. I always had these questions but was taught to honor, respect and fear God (not to ask too many questions, but always had a ton of them in my head) and was taught His Character qualities early on. So I knew a Holy God could not tolerate sin and He had to judge sin to balance out His Justice and Mercy. Thank you for clear, biblical, historical based answers that aids a serious follower of Christ along the paths of Wisdom and Understanding.

[@letmeapologize]

This is hands down my favorite episode of this podcast. So informative and interesting. Can't wait to read Clay's book.

[@user-gz4oc2kn5p]

This video cleared up an immense amount of questions i had always carried regarding the story of Lot and his daughters, AND the story of Abraham's discussion with God as well. I really needed this information! I will use it as ground zero, as I continue to study The very essence of the questionings I have in this regard. Alicia and Clay, I know you did the video over 3 years ago. However, if you are reading this now, you need to know that you truly affected me, and blessed me 3 minutes ago. I will be doing more investigation into both of your channels. Thank you for each of your decisions to serve the living God.

[@christybuchanan53]

I really enjoyed Clay's biblical insight! Thank you so much for standing on and promoting God's truth!

[@yourheinness9275]

I thank God for you and your life and all the turmoil you have gone throught in your life. God took you through it for a reason and also blessed you with lots of talents so that you are in this position to tell us your story and how God has gotten you through it and blessed you the other side. May Our Father continue to bless you and your family continually.

[@nelidascott6917]

What a sad world we live in, so true that sin these days is taken so lightly and God who is holy and just has to pronounce judgment against it. God is indeed merciful for not annihilating us all for our wickedness. It's only through Jesus's sacrifice that God was appeased . Thanks so much, Alisa for your helpful podcast. God bless you 🙏💖

[@jemmamills202]

Amen. To us belong judgment but God is merciful!

[@jonatandjurachkovitch460]

@J. Lo There are no "good people". I myself am rotten to the bone. For a bad person to do good, that takes faith.

[@melodysledgister2468]

@J. Lo You did not listen or do your research before your comments. The text in question says nothing about the Israelites torturing babies. It was the Canaanites who were doing this to their own children--a reason God’s judgment fell on them

[@amandamcgovern5744]

@@jonatandjurachkovitch460 religion tells you you are a bad person. As they say... “Christianity tells you your sick then offers the cure..”.. it’s nonsense and I encourage using your brain to think about it for.. 5 milliseconds. You are on here endorsing child and baby genocide. Talking about how you need Christianity (the faith that forces you to support this genocide) in order to be a better person. Step outside yourself for a second. Get a shred of self-awareness. And PLEASE realize how absurd that is.

[@jonatandjurachkovitch460]

@@amandamcgovern5744 I'm endorsing God's righteous judgement. Just as when He judged Sodom and Gomorra, he destroyed a nation whose cultural unrighteousness had gotten to that extreme point (they were sacrificing their children. If that custom had continued a few more generations, even more children would have been killed) I have thought about the sickness and the cure a lot, and my conclusion is that the sickness is real, and has extreme consequences. Have you kept the ten commandments?

[@ryanparris1021]

Incredible show thanks Alisa and Clay! I am gonna use both of your resources to help someone 'searching' right now but this very topic is the major hangup.Thanks again.

[@TheExastrologer]

I have long shared Clay Jones' video on we do not know what sin is on this topic, so I am delighted to see him on this program. Jones explains well the perspective we should have. God always knows what he's doing and he never does anything that is not wise or just.

[@Jesusandmentalhealth]

This was sooooo good. WOW. Loved how this was explained. So confirming and makes so much sense. I could not stop "yes-ing" during this show. ❤❤

[@tia5626]

I was reading an eyewitness account of the holocaust the same time my devotions had me in Numbers. It was so hard not to compare the two. I understood the Cannanites practiced idolatry but didn’t understand the depth of their other sins. Thank you for helping me to distinguish between the two

[@EmileBurgess]

Very informative. Great episode. Thanks for all the both of you do.

[@chrisalan11rus]

This was very helpful. Thank you for tackling this difficult concept.

[@atmalewis1513]

I got so much from this discussion, particularly the subject about killing the children. Taking us through scenarios of what happens when children are adopted paints a realistic picture. It allowed me to expand my thinking beyond emotions which were naïve. It gives me a more rounded view based upon the Scriptures. Thank you!

[@xatword9115]

Thank you so much for this! It brought so much clarity

[@cedarbrooknut]

So kuch to think about here! I happened to read this very passage this morning, then found this a few hours later. Really good info, and helped a lot to think through some difficult issues! Thank you!

[@KisnCozns51]

A friend just recommended this video yesterday as we were discussing this very topic. I'm so glad she did! Clay and Alisa, you both have brought light to a very difficult subject and helped me to understand a bit more fully on why God chose to punish the Canaanites with death. Thank you and looking forward to more teaching so we may be prepared to give an answer to the HOPE that lies within us. Blessings!!

[@LadyB777]

This was helpful, I really appreciate that you're not shying away from these hard questions. I'm still struggling with this but I can see clearer now.

[@the.noooooticer]

thank you for tackling the difficult issues. This is the stuff I want to understand most! Your work is so appreciated

[@elissabellajoy]

Thank you for yet another great interview and content. Interesting, informative, intelligent and inspiring. 🤩🙏🏻📖🕊️

[@amybarajas274]

Thank you for the video! Perfect timing, I was just reading This in the Bible last week and was asking God for clarity on it and was pleasantly surprised right now by the video and to make things better Clay Jones is the one being interviewed. I really love his work!

[@PjotrII]

Just reflect for a few seconds... if you happened to be born as a Canaanite, yes you saw some bad people, but you also knew good neigbours and family, you got some children and worked for them to get food, and tried to teach them something, and then God decided that he will send a group of people to totally destroy everything, and kill everyone, including your children. Can you explain to me what CLARITY and PLEASANT SURPRISE you have found in that? As for me it is clear that it is quite evil. If I acted as God was described to do, would you say my actions were good?

[@nathanaelh4750]

@@PjotrII watch the whole video he deals with this objection

[@PjotrII]

​@@nathanaelh4750 One thing is if deals with the issue, another thing if the arguments are good enough to be taken seriously, or if they are like "hey we need to find a spin how to get out of this". There are many unsolved problems with the claims made. If I was in court and had those two as my lawyers, I would be afraid I am loosing the case. As an example the reference to flight 93 is very weak, as flight 93 was destined for a suicide mission = all people onboard would be killed ANYWAY, so taking down that plane was 1) not for the purpose to kill them all 2) the pilots lives could save more lives on the ground. When God orders to kill (against his own commandment ?????) it is not with the purpose to save lives, it is a brutal genocide, where the victims of rape (they tried to describe) were also chosen to die, as if they were the perpetrators.

[@amandamcgovern5744]

@@nathanaelh4750 I asked you a question and you ran for the hills for some reason. Nathanael, why was it ok to slaughter the innocent babies and young children?

[@amandamcgovern5744]

@@nathanaelh4750 let me ask you a hypothetical: is there ANYTHING the Bible could say that would make you think critically? In the video, the apologists suggest that if a reader doesn't understand something in the text it is ALWAYS the readers problem (epitome of cult thinking I might add). What if the Bible said explicitly "raping children is holy" and then gave instructions on how to do it.? Would that passage just be something to which you said "I don't understand yet but that is my problem and I'm sure God had a good reason."? Or would that cause you to question whether or not the text was actually from a god. This is an important question to consider. IS THERE ANYTHING THE BIBLE COULD SAY THAT WOULD MAKE YOU RECONSIDER ITS DIVINITY?

[@poppyozark]

Really enjoyed this. Very informative and helpful

[@courtneyjorstad7495]

Might be the best treatment of this topic I’ve ever heard.

[@NewCreationInChrist896]

Proverbs 3:5-6 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

[@JESUStheARK]

Excellent!!! I look forward to checking out more of Clay’s teachings. God bless🕊️🙏🕊️

[@Ozzyman200]

So sad we really do still get people defending genocide, making all sorts of excuses, but no explanations. Sadly history has had too many apologists, not enough humanists.

[@solicthesunhog2022]

Brilliant, thank you Clay and Alisa, it brings such clarity in a very simple way to understand :) God bless u as u continue to point people to Jesus

[@scubaoctopus]

What an amazing video! Thank you!

[@HealthyHousewife]

Thank you so much for this biblical and truth filled explanation. I have wrestled myself as I read through scripture with why God took the lives of a whole nation and why He took the children. But this explains so much. Thank you 💕

[@TheRevering]

WOW, Clay Jones is awesome! Much appreciated!

[@amyhenningsgard8618]

Take the humble approach.❤️God put Job in his place for thinking he knew better. Thank you Alisa and Clay!

[@melissamacy369]

Great discussion overall. I did find it strange how Dr. Jones had so much insight into why the Canaanite children needed to be included in God’s judgment on Canaan, and then turned around and said that they deserved eternal glorification because of an age of “innocence.” I agree that they could very well have been saved, but not because of “innocence.” Simply put, our second birth is a work of the spirit, who like the wind, “blows wherever it pleases.” We don’t know what happened to those children, but we do know that God is both perfectly just and perfectly merciful.

[@corneliusmentz2910]

Apologies, Clay Jones refers to exactly my comment at around the 40th minute …

[@paulaglenn388]

Wow I did not know the depth of this about the Canaanites. THANK you for this video. This helps to understand so much. My daughter and I hear so many questions and comments about the Bible. I have started listening 🎧 to Frank Turek who also has answers to so many questions. THANK you both.

[@lorysipel6823]

Thank you! That was so interesting and foundational.

[@pianogal853]

I love that concept - if I don't understand or agree with God's word, I need to check into what's wrong with ME, not wonder about God's goodness

[@phoenixrising9390]

AMEN! This truth became so apparent to me when I was reading/studying the Levitical laws. There were laws that offended me. But I had to realize that because of my sin and skewed understanding I can’t fully comprehend God’s holiness.

[@PjotrII]

If I wonder if genocide is wrong, then I turn to myself and wonder what is wrong with me, for questioning the pure goal of a genocide.

[@nathanaelh4750]

watch the whole video he deals with your argument

[@darrenmiller6927]

This woman. One of the best shows on utube as good at the long form interview as Dr Sean McDowell, Megyn Kelly, or anybody. Great guests. I learn so much here. So encouraging. God bless her, what a gift to find this show.

[@esthersprinkle5797]

Amazing! Thank you both.... I learned so much.

[@SincerelyHannah9]

God says that He is good, I trust that He is good. His ways are not my ways, and I may never understand Him fully, but I trust that He is good and just always.

[@alexnunn1932]

You sound like you have a serial killer boyfriend.

[@Rojames.]

Amen! I pray for that kind of faith!

[@SincerelyHannah9]

@@alexnunn1932 I have a God who laid His life down for me and suffered so that I could live in paradise with Him. He also happens to be the same God that holds all of creation in His hands and I’m like one human amongst the billions that have existed throughout history. I definitely trust Him more than myself

[@alexnunn1932]

@@SincerelyHannah9 how do you know any of that?

[@PjotrII]

Could the "uncertainty" be in that one theological view says "God ordered a genocide, but let´s call it something nicer" and another theological view says, "humans 3000 years back interpreted that God initiated a genocide". And you have followed the first theological view, but it seems a bit weird, as you realize that things may not actually be like that.

[@mamawolf.]

Thank you for a great topic

[@FeliDomz]

Hi Alisa , I just discovered your Apologetics 101 podcast and was really excited because I needed a good starting point . But, I can’t seem to find any other episodes aside from episode 30 on Spotify . Was this postponed or is there anywhere I can find these posts ? Thank you !

[@Gabriel19760]

I was adopted and sexualy abused as a child by two different women. I didn't come to know some biblical truth until the age of 21. Then I was a Jehovah's Witness until January of this year. I have been brought to the Lord. Please listen to me when I Clay states that you become who your parents or abusers are. I too became sexualy active with children my own age, due hopefully to being abused by these women, I knew no boundaries, I was and am to this day a broken vessel. I thank God that I have been rescued. I thank Jesus Christ so much!! Because some days I too feel as though I could be a Canaanite. When Satan (Molech) breaks people down, we lose our moral compass. I understand today, why Yahweh had those men, women and Children killed. And for this I'm grateful. I too have died to myself. If it were not for the love of Christ, I too would be deserving of death. And this is okay, I get it. It is not my place to argue with our Creator. It is ever so important to know the facts, so as to be able to defend the facts. As an abused and broken person who has also perpetrated this abuse onto others as a child and teenager due to the abuse I experienced, believe what you hear. It must be so easy having grown up in a model family so to speak. But, when you have grown up with nothing but abuse and disfunction, it takes years and years and years of Christian teaching to get any normal semblance of being whole again. I cannot thank you Jesus Christ and my heavenly Father enough for seeing what good there was left in me and redeeming me for I was as good as dead and wicked to the core. This damage still manifests itself today friends in having impure and wicked thoughts which thankfully do not trouble me nor impact anyone else. I really hope that this helps Christians who have grown up in normal homes understand how and why our loving father had no choice destroying these people and their children. At least the children would have been saved and are now living in heaven until we receive our new earth and live forever with the Lord of lords and kind of all king's, come Lord Jesus come. Amen. And thank you having mercy on a sinner like me xxx

[@dragonhold4]

@Gabriel76 Reading your comment reminded me of Psalm 111: _The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise_

[@willowwillow1969]

Thank You Lord. I was just reading this YESTERDAY, and was confused. I thought that was the promised land? I was struggling to move on from this passage. I looked up a few commentaries, but they didn't resolve my dis-ease with it. Thank you for helping me.

[@dr.danieldeepak2451]

So very well handled! I gained so many new insights from Clay. Alisha is on spot. Many are the slain of progressive Christianity!

[@lf885]

This was really good. I love that he preached the Gospel towards the end. I always listen to the Gospel presentation as if it was my first time. Such a great reminder.

[@theharvestangel2290]

When I was very young, between 3-7 my family read the Bible and talked to me about the Bible and stories from it. My first real and only church experience was at 7. My grandparents took me to Catholic church. During this service when the "father" began reading from the book of Revelation my eyes literally closed. The More I tried to force my eyes open to read revelation I got a worse and worse headache. After this I went home and prayed. God told me to read the entire book before I read Revelation. So I began. Over the next 17 years I read and studied the Bible in its entirety, but eventually focused on the new testament, specifically Matthew Mark Luke and John.....during this time between 7 and 24 years old many times I tried to read revelation, even just a few sentences. And every time I tried to read it my eyes would physically close and I would get a headache. However, I did read the first few verses of revelation MANY times over that period as I started the book of Revelation a thousand times, but I couldn't get past the first 4 or 5 verses when I tried. Sometime in the summer of 2000, when I was 24, I began trying to read the book of revelation and this time God let me. No more headaches or eyes closing. It was then very shortly into reading it something stuck out, But I didn't know exactly what, It was a feeling in my gut, so I asked God what am I missing.. He said "Listen closer." After reading the beginnning of revelation numerous times I finally realized I recognized a phrase, Rev...1:3. "for the time is near". Until this point I even though I had read it numerous times before, I was so focused on reading more before my eyes would close and a headache would start I didn't hear it closely until this point. I immediately began searching where else I heard that phrase. Soon I found it; In Luke chapter 21, verses 7-8: This is where Jesus Christ specifically tells us to not follow the many who come in his name claiming 'I am He' and "the time is near"- Jesus says do not follow those who use that exact phrase. I eventually googled the phrase and found that the author of revelation uses that phrase twice. I asked God if what He was showing me is proof that he warned US about Revelation and that it is a false prophecy- He said "what does My Word The Bible say?" Listen, the reason how I know this doesnt matter because it doesn't change what Jesus says; Jesus says do not follow the many who come in His name claiming 'the time is near' - the author of Revelation then uses that EXACT phrase TWICE, once in the first chapter and again in the last chapter: effectively sealing the entire prophecy called Revelation with a phrase JESUS CHRIST tells us not to follow anyone who uses it. Since 2000 I have been quietly talking to people and showing them this. Whomever will listen- which hasn't been many. In August of this past year(2020) I asked God what else am I supposed to do. He said make a video and tell everyone. So, I did. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iX-YeJ2Co7xlibs If you have questions, ask away. your brother, Adam A

[@shomshomni2314]

Hello my friend the verse says "I am He AND the time is near". So people claiming to be God and predicting the apocalypse. As an ex New Ager I can tell you that in my old community people regularly said I Am Christ consciousness etc and they said the time is near. They called it the great awakening. The Apostle John never claimed to be God my friend. I think if you were willing to look at the Greek the words are most likely different but they're same in English because our language is way more simple than Greek. John is not the anti-Christ. I also saw what you said about how you couldn't read revelation with out getting a headache and getting drowsy. The sounds like demonic oppression to me and I actually felt a bit drowsy and spaced out watching your video which is a big red flag and leads me to think that there is a demonic spirit behind your video. Please do some prayer and fasting and pray for deliverance.

[@Travelingthru]

This brought tears to my eyes. So much truth in this discussion. GOD REVEALED something to me from this great conversation. GOD BLESS you both. It all made so much sense to a trye BORN AGAIN believer. 🙏📖

[@leoluz4218]

We also need to remember that at one point the canaanites knew God and worshipped Him. Just like Israel, they walked away from the truth and judgment came 400 years later. I think that’s also an important point to make.

[@heatherwoods5703]

Thank you! Yes! I love how completely you explained all this. I'm just beginning to read your book on Evil. I particularly appreciate that you covered that the children likely went to heaven. When we look at the age God separated the children of Isreal who lived to see the Promised Land and who died in the Wilderness, it gives us clues to age of accountability. In this light, God IS merciful in taking out the children of Canaan. This seems consistent with His character, too. He is good and He is just. His ways are higher than ours.

[@freedominion7369]

A most instructive discussion and thanks for sharing ✝️

[@zacharyvance2365]

Hey Alisa, I want to thank you for your book. I’ve been reading through it these past couple months, and it has been such a blessing. I encountered Progressive Christianity last year while working, and it challenged my faith like never before. Your book has really helped me in my Christian walk, and I thank you for the hard work you put into it. May our Lord Jesus bless you and your family in these coming years.

[@patriothippie5881]

Yes it's a good book. I just read it this week and thought it was really good.

[@kaylinlarson8349]

Such a helpful, practical discussion of a very difficult topic in Scripture. I truly hadn't considered many of the points you two made. Thank you!

[@whodeytko]

Both Paul and Jude reference 1 Enoch in their respective epistles and held the book in very high esteem. I strongly recommend reading it to get a fuller view of the origin story of the giant clans (Nephilim) that arose due to the transgressions of the Watchers (angels) in Genesis 6. When you understand just how irredeemably evil these beings were, it is completely understandable why God would tell Joshua to devout them to destruction (annihilate them all).

[@donnahogue2146]

Thank you, this cleared up so much for me about the reason God would call for the deaths of children. I have friends who have either adopted or fostered and the children wanted their biological parents just as you said.

[@universalistsnape8584]

What a sick notion, that this can somehow justify mass slaughter of children (they didn’t even adress infants)

[@teresauntalan6828]

Before I became a true Christian I heard a statement that stunned me. The individual said that God was the greatest murder that ever existed. He mention the killing of the Canaanites especially the children and babies., I almost agreed with him but I didn't have much bible knowledge., With God's grace a few years later I became a repentant born again Christian and was fortunate enough to attend a verse by verse teaching bible church. Besides the regular Sunday teachings we also had bible studies on Wednesday and Friday. In one of these studies we were in this section where the Canaanites were killed. The pastor pretty much explained, as you two did, and I came away with a better understanding of God's mercy and justice. To God be the glory.

[@laurenkwarren]

Thank you! I just finished Joshua and this is so timely and so wisely answered. Bless you both for being bold and gracious Truth-tellers.

[@barbieester]

Thank you for this.

[@Alan112573]

Alissa, thanks for the interview. I'm a conservative Christian, and I think your conversation partner made good points. However, I think the biggest discomfort I have with these texts is NOT that infants and children were killed, but that the ISRAELITES THEMSELVES had to do the killing. it's just very difficult for me to imagine being an Israelite soldier in that position. This is why I have no difficulty with the Flood (done by God), but more unease with this passage. Not that it's causing any fundamental slide away from the faith for me, since I've struggled with this for decades. But if you perhaps have time to speak to this, that'd be great!

[@etiennebisset5642]

How do you feel if you are going to fulfill a very clear commandment from God?

[@Alan112573]

@@etiennebisset5642 Let me affirm for the record that God has every right to administer justice by the hands of the Israelites. I'm just being honest and saying that I'm glad I've never been asked to do that myself.

[@rocketscientisttoo]

Al, everyone who is employed owes their employment to the employer, and must perform according to the rules of that employer, not their own rules otherwise they will be fired from that organization; and that is the right of every employer. Do you remember when God used Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians to chastise Israel? Do you remember when God used the Assyrians to chastise Israel? Everyone created by God, and that does include everyone, owes their very existence to God and He has the absolute right to make sure that they live according to His rules. As far as the children involved are concerned two things should impact our understanding here. The first is the difficulty Moses and the Israelites had leaving Egypt with a mixed multitude (people including themselves in the exodus for totally opposite reasons because they had totally opposite worldviews). The second is the widely held mindset held here in the USA that, even despite the evidence, there is only a blob of tissue in the womb not a baby. So, how are we not like the Canaanites?

[@Alan112573]

@@rocketscientisttoo I don't disagree with anything you're saying. Just saying that I'm glad I haven't been asked to carry out that duty. Aren't you?

[@Rm6.23]

What an edifying conversation and fantastic perspective on so many angles! Know what else is fantastic? That we can KNOW where we go when we die... Are you going to heaven? Most people would say that they’ve been good enough to get into heaven. Would you pass the test? Let’s take a quick look! 1. How many lies have you told in your whole life? 2. Have you ever stolen anything no matter how little the value? 3. Have you ever use the Lords name in vain (like OMG)? These are three of the 10 Commandments and if you answered yes to these questions that would make YOU like the rest of US. Judged by God’s standards, would you be innocent or guilty? Heaven or hell? The 10 Commandments are God’s moral law and we’ve all broken them. The Bible says the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23) which means we have all earned death (hell). But because of God’s love he has provided a way to heaven (1 Timothy 2:4). He sent his son Jesus Christ to pay the price for us. Jesus lived a sinless life, died on the cross for our sins (1 John 2:2) and rose bodily from the grave three days later to give us life. Jesus took the punishment we deserve on the cross (1 Peter 2:24). If we believe and put our trust in Him we too can have eternal life in heaven (Acts 16:31). Repent (which means turn from your sins and not live the life of a hypocrite) and trust Jesus today!

[@katieveenstra3751]

Thank you for this! The pastor at the church I currently attend said that God was using Hyperbolic War Rhetoric and didn’t mean that ALL canaanites needed to be killed. This didn’t sit well with me, as the tone was similar to… “Did God really say…?” This helped to clarify! The comment about it not always being morally wrong to kill the innocent seems hard to digest. Especially as I’ve just finished Scott Klusendorf’s book The Case for Life, which bases it’s argument against abortion as it being morally wrong to take the life of an innocent human being. I’m curious to know how CJ would reconcile these two topics that stand on similar ground. Thanks!

[@laurelwebster3517]

Listening to this breaks my heart...because I shared it with my son and he says he disagrees with your premise and its acceptance of its necessity, making it a list of ancient practices we would either find abhorrent or fine, depending on where we are on the earth....he is so lost. Please pray for him. Culture and Intellect are his gods.

[@mildredmartinez8843]

I think he is using his mind. What is wrong with questioning or trying to find out why things are troublesome. It is a normal process of having a mind that allows you perceive, analyse and question. If I had a son like that I would encourage him to read, listen, research those things he questions and let truth lead him where it may. Good luck.

[@mannytps9986]

@J. Lo some people say that that place was hyperbole

[@cyndidempsay5542]

Laurel Webster, I will pray for your son. My son would probably say the same thing and I haven't had a chance to share this with him. He was raised in a loving, Christian home, Sunday School and Youth Group but his present World view does not show it. 🥺😰 it is definitely heartbreaking! 💔

[@cyndidempsay5542]

Mildred Martinez, I myself love to study, dig, research and learn and I question stuff all the time, from news, to politics, to my pastor's sermons, to internet information. I would strongly encourage someone to do that. Sadly, my own son and many of his generation do not want to study, research or engage in friendly, intellectual discusson. They seem to want to argue or press their view, without hearing anyone that disagrees with them. I would love to sit down with my own dear son and be able to have a meaningful conversation and bounce ideas off each other. I keep hoping and praying for that anyway. And with this particular information, I feel hopeful that maybe we finally can. 🙌🙏

[@ChristelleJohnson]

Perhaps your son is naive to how grave sin really is. Coming from a broken home and having experienced many upsetting things in my upbringing, I often think some children who are sheltered (with the best intentions of their parents) have a poor understanding of how devoid of any good and depraved some people can be, so they find God’s judgement and laws to be ‘too harsh’, not realising what those laws and judgements truly restrain. But, it may just be he has to go through a time of having his eyes opened to these things, before he can return to you and appreciate your position.

[@Lillaloppan]

Thank you so very much 💛

[@sledge1960]

The fact so many 'pastors' do not teach why God sent His people to judge Canaan is an indictment of those 'pastors'. The fact is, they don't know. They either haven't read the scriptures dealing with it or they haven't understood them. The same problem so many of them have with Genesis first eleven chapters relating to Creation etc..

[@ourwholesomehome4967]

This was a super helpful video in general! One part confused me and I’m hoping for clarity. Is Clay Jones against adoption? I know this topic isn’t the point of the video, but how he discusses modern day adoption and a accompanying article of his, makes it seem like modern day adoption is bad in some way. Can someone clarify if you know what part of the video I’m referring to?

[@TikTok-se4cb]

A God who wanted the Israelites to ethnically cleanse the entire Canaanite people sounds more like Adolph Hitler to me. To me its a story that reminds us of how dangerous the human animal can be, and how we can use any excuse within our disposal to unleash appalling acts of horror on people, all because they belong to a different ethnic group, culture or religion. Its a story about tribal hate, and nothing to do with the universal God of abiding love and mercy towards all humans, animals and our planet.

[@christiananthonyliang]

This was a great podcast. Very insightful and informative. I have been deeply contemplating this podcast for a couple days and now have a legitimate concern. Particularly about the children. As I was thinking about how we've come to this conclusion that God ordered the killing of innocent children for the good of Israel's sake, and that in doing so God was merciful to them in ultimately saving them, how can I present this to someone without them turning around and saying to me, "Then why are you against abortion? Wouldn't this logic justify abortion?" Any insight would be appreciated, thanks.

[@s21854]

Christian, I'm thinking through your concern in context of the information shared in this video and I have a couple clarifying questions... 1. Who would Israel be (God ordered the killing of children for Israel's sake) with regard to the abortion situation? 2. Do you think it makes a difference whether it is God ordering the killing vs a man or woman who doesn't want it? If so, what is the difference? 3. With the abortion scenario, if God isn't the one ordering it, then who is the one being merciful to the children being killed? These are not scarcastic questions, I'd really like to know your thoughts. Blessings to you!

[@MBKSpecialist]

@@s21854 great questions! They help me as I was also thinking about abortion. Blessings!

[@sarahd5341]

This was excellent! I’m reading Paul Copan’s book right now. Good stuff.

[@jerryswitzer2734]

very good I understand better now Thankyou

[@amandamcgovern5744]

And what is your understanding of why killing babies was ok?

[@karenburkhart3599]

Thank you so much for this! This just makes so much sense.

[@PjotrII]

It does?

[@privateprofile4246]

Timely video. This is the subject we are discussing in my college course right now. God is good!

[@macsprinter]

Amen

[@PjotrII]

God is good, but is the 3000 year old text depicting his actions good? Or is it a human interpretation?

[@FullArmorApologetics]

Awesome Topic

[@sarw9294]

Very interesting about the adopted children. Allie Beth Stuckey talked a little about this on an episode of Relatable, though not in as much detail.

[@hanraddas9308]

The Gospel is in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, and again, Alisa did not include this. I love Alisa, but again, I respectfully ask her to include the Gospel in all her videos (she never forgets to ask people to become a patreon). :)

[@richardfrerks8712]

Let the tender mercies come unto mr, that I may live: for the law is my delight

[@heathers4961]

Can you have a guest on to discuss the concept of slavery as it is outlined in the OT? The differences between Hebrew and non slaves, etc. This is something a lot of us struggle with and I know unbelievers struggle with it too.

[@clintd3476]

Look for Paul Copan. His book is “Is God a Moral Monster?” Four chapters on slavery/servitude.

[@Sldghmmr338]

Yes Jesus sanctioned the taking of slaves throughout the OT.

[@kelvyquayo]

@@Sldghmmr338 No. the Penalty in the OT for stealing people (kidnapping) is DEATH.

[@PjotrII]

I don´t struggle with the slave issue... it is simply wrong!

[@kelvyquayo]

@J. Lo Comparing that the the rest of The Law, I disagree.

[@EW1587]

Can you do a video in response to Dan Barker’s and Richard Dawkins’ attacks on the character of God in their books?

[@edeancozzens3833]

Sometimes evil gets so bad it has to be stopped. Some people blame God for not doing enough to stop evil then when He does they get angry about that.

[@adeodata6364]

Wow, this was amazing. Thank you so much 👌🙏🌹

[@PjotrII]

Yeah genocides are amazing, we are in the same boat.

[@adeodata6364]

@@PjotrII Just listen to the same chapters of an audio bible over and over again and you'll get used to it 😉🤣

[@adeodata6364]

@@PjotrII I know what you need, my friend. Look up "Crucifixion of the warrior God“ in 2 volumes by Greg Boyd... There are also several excellent videos on KZbin, named after the books, of him explaining his conclusions after years reading the Church Fathers etc. He will help you have some clarity about what is going on and how to interpret it. Brilliant and humble guy. I know it will help. Take care 😃

[@nathanlennon5990]

Another blast of truth! The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fool despise wisdom and instruction !

[@waitingandwatching9328]

Thanks for the info... may God continue to bless your ministries

[@drakesmith2492]

That was interesting.

[@scubaoctopus]

Can we have the source of the article he was reading from?

[@edeancozzens3833]

For me also Capitol Punishment is saying in effect that we can't handle this person here so we give them to God who may perfect and redeem them on the other side in ways we cannot do here.

[@amandamcgovern5744]

Christians of KZbin who don’t think this video was sick: Is there ANYTHING the Bible could say that would make you question it’s divinity? Anything at all?

[@ReadJournalLove]

This was a very good discussion. Thank you Alisa.

[@stevej71393]

This is a good discussion and is very relevant. Clay definitely needs a better microphone though.

[@Rvillaluz123]

Years ago I struggled with these questions; why does the Lord destroy a nation or a people? Why would the Lord kill Uzza, when all he did was try to keep the ark of the covenant from falling. The book of Judges is excellent for revealing the cycles of disobedience and obedience. We're no different and must be warned repeatedly. Romans 11:22 KJV - Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. Isaiah 63:10 ESV - But they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit; therefore he turned to be their enemy, and himself fought against them. Romans 15:4 ESV - For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

[@christianuniversalist]

I think assuming every word of a specific translation of the Bible is inerrant is a dangerous game, the same as those who think the Bible is wide open to any interpretation. Both spectrums are incorrect

[@whodeytko]

Exactly, the focus needs to be on the original languages and original context of scripture. When read in its proper context, the conquest narrative is a non issue. When Jesus returns He will be Himself gloriously devoting many more to destruction. And God will be justified then as when He commanded Joshua.

[@Bucketbothead007]

Including the Aprocrypha (the contested books which are included in the Roman Catholic Bible but disregarded from the Hebrew version), the total number of people that were killed by God in the Bible for which specific numbers are given is approximately 2,821,364. By comparison, Satan's kill count is 10 (The 7 sons & 3 daughters of Job), & even these he shares with God, since God allowed him to do it in what appears to be a part of a bet. Job 1:1-19 seems to indicate that both Satan & God share the blame (or the credit) for these killings. Justification for these killings includes disobedience, burning of incense, complaining, homosexuality etc. God has many methods of killing; animal attacks, plagues, famines, falling walls, war, fire etc. This, of course, greatly underestimates God's total death toll, since it only includes those killings for which specific numbers are given. No numbers are provided to include the victims of Noah's flood, Sodom & Gomorrah, or the many plagues, famines, fiery serpents, etc. If we assign numbers by estimation to the un-numbered killings by God in the Bible, the approximate number is around 25-28 million people killed by God & only 60 by Satan.

[@margaretyoshikawa1234]

Did they do Drag Queen read alouds? I’m beginning to understand better and better

[@jonathanbarnes3061]

Clay Jones has monumental task of explaining intent for God's plan Judgement, redemption and salvation. At what point do the transgressions of the individual corrupt the corporate body entirely. Incest, beastiality, human sacrifice, demon worship and the question becomes why did it go on so long. A loving God could be no longer loving and judged worthy to ignore absolute moral depravity. Strong arguments here thanks and gratitude in Jesus's name no one else was found WORTHY....👆🤍👰‍♂️

[@jeanniestanley7728]

@J. Lo they were abused and would become the abusers of other children- this is sin- this is the heart of man- ‘the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?’- God does-He gave them centuries to change (repent)- they were more interested in idol worship and depravity--God saved future generations of children being abused and other nations around Canaan who would want to copy their customs-and don’t forget it was Satan behind these ugly abuses becoz he hates mankind

[@bahranghebrekidan1541]

Thank you both of you, it is really a good explanation to answer for people who ask,one thing I want always to remember is if I didn't know and understand what God did and do and will do all He does and do not trust God,the problem is in me in created being not in God the perfect omnipotence omniscient and omnipresent Mighty God.

[@akiingvarsson554]

The main reason that I'm not bothered by the Canaanite Conquest in the Bible is that it never actually happened.

[@PanhandleFrank]

😆🤣😂😅😂🤣😆

[@maggie8482]

Great stuff, so glad for both of your insight

[@christopher7725]

Why are these passages difficult for Christians? Don’t you trust God? He commanded it, and everything He does is good, so it must be just. Why does God need to explain? He doesn't. He told you He’s just so why ask any more questions? Why do you need an explanation? Just have faith. If people left the faith because of these difficult passages, then it’s cause they didn’t have enough faith in God’s character. 20:03 - "God knows who will repent." Oh, so it's okay for God to kill them then? Rejecting God in the long term means its ok to be killed? Why create them at all in the first place? That would eliminate their evil ways on earth, their practices, the people they kill or injure, and it eliminates the need for Israelites to kill people and children. 22:57 - "You. Don't. Know. That." Clay's response to those who think there must have been good people in Canaan. Which is an odd response if you had contrary evidence to point to. And you can't use the Bible to support the Bible. So Clay, do YOU know that there were not good people in Canaan? How do you KNOW? Or are you just trusting what the Bible says? Did he give any evidence for the Canaanites raping everyone, including children and animals? I didn't hear any. Clay even stated that not all Canaanites were that bad. 28:40 - "the Lord says straight out, 'if you dont kill them all, then they're going to corrupt you." But if the Israelites are attacking one of the "less bad" Canaanite cities outside of the promise land, and one of the Israelites sees an attractive woman amongst the captives, he's allowed to marry her (Deut 21:11). Is she more or less likely to corrupt an Israelite than children are? Israel took in 32,000 virgin girls from the Midianites in Numbers 31. Did they not worship false gods? Moses commands all the boys to be killed in this instance so they must've thought they were a threat or very wicked. Why not the 32,000 virgins? ~38:00 - the morality of shooting down Flight 93. We are humans who are not all powerful. We can only operate within our power. Sometimes we have to make those hard decisions. It's life. Now, is God bound by the same limitations that we are? In the Flight 93 situation, God could have many things that humans cannot. He could have softened the hearts of the hijackers. He could have made sure that plane couldn't fly that day. He could have killed the hijackers in their sleep the night before. He could have caused the plane to crash but miraculously save all the innocent people. SO WHY DIDN'T HE? Why did He make us have to decide if we should kill innocent people? Humans have to let some innocent people die because we are extremely limited. All we can do is hope that we are saving more people than we are hurting. What is God's excuse? If humans could have done any of those things, then we wouldn't have to considered shooting down a plane full of innocent people. What is God's excuse? 40:29 - children under a certain age go right to heaven and are saved. Please tell me how this doesn't support abortion if the child is from a bad, abusive, or unstable home? If you're against abortion, then stop being so focused on this life. Stop being so "here an now" focused.

[@WhitebluePhoenix]

One section in the Bible is always miss understood heaven and hell is only temporary that is where our spirits go after we die but when the Lord comes all mankind will be resurrected this is talked about in first Corinthians chapter 15 the whole chapter talked about this read it for yourself and pray

[@englandshope689]

yep !.true !

[@mchristr]

There's something in the distorted heart of humanity that desires to usurp God's sovereign authority over what is truly just. We say that we want justice but really haven't considered the implications for our own lives. I would much prefer God's mercy in the Gospel rather than a Christ-less justice.