A Peace Loving People

Bill Henness

 

When the Hebrew god, Yahweh, told Israel to go into the land of Canaan and kill all the people and take the land for themselves; if this tribal god was all knowing, he would have known there was, at least, one city there that were peaceful people.

The tribe of Dan, wanting to expand their territory, sent 5 spies into the land, to see how well fortified it was.

"Then the five men departed, and came to Laish, and saw the people who dwelt therein, how they dwelt without anxiety(carelessly), after the manner of the Sidonians, quiet and secure; and there was no magistrate in the land, who might put them to shame in anything; and they were far from the Sidonians, and had no business with any man." (Judges 18:7)

"When ye go, ye shall come unto a people secure, and to a large land; for God hath given it into your hands, a place where there is no want of anything that is in the earth." (v. 10)

"And they took the things which Micah had made, and the priest which he had, and came unto Laish, unto a people who were quiet and secure; and they smote them with the edge of the sword, and burned the city with fire." (v. 27)

If this god knew all things, he would have known these people of Laish were no threat to them. They were peace loving families. They didn't even have or need a police force, for there was no crime. They had no trade with other cities and were self-sufficient. Their nearest neighboring big city (Sidon) was about 35 miles across the mountains to the northwest.

This city of families had everything they needed. Children played in the sunshine, men planted, fished, harvested; women kept the house and raised big families. They probably didn't even have weapons. They didn't bother anyone and I imagine they lived much like the Amish do today; simple, peace loving.

Then, on command of the Hebrew god, armed men of Israel, swooped in upon these peaceful people and cut them down like unarmed stalks of corn. Men, women, old, young, infants, all.

And you are expected to worship this "kind, loving, heavenly father." Not me !

Bill Henness

 

Brian Worley     July 8, 2010    Ex-minister.org     All rights reserved!


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