Hamas vs. The Canaanites: Same Kind of Evil? | with Dr. Paul Copan
Oct 13, 2023
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Dr. Paul Copan, expert on negotiating with destructible people, discusses the recent Hamas attacks in Israel and the parallels to Old Testament conflicts. They explore whether Palestinians will make peace, the nature of God's commands in the Old Testament, and the human condition revealed in imprecatory prayers. They also touch on Frank's planned Israel trip and the complex history of Israel's battles against neighboring tribes. Jesus' involvement in judgment and wrath is emphasized for a balanced understanding.
The wars in the Old Testament were defensive, aimed at protecting the Israelites from hostile nations seeking their destruction.
God's judgment in the Old and New Testaments was a means of last resort to defend His people and preserve His redemptive mission.
Deep dives
The Old Testament's Connection to Warfare
The Old Testament recounts instances of warfare involving the Israelites, such as the battle with the Amalekites. These were defensive wars, where the Israelites fought for their survival against hostile nations. The Israelites, who were not a military force, faced attacks from various groups, and they had to trust in God for protection and victory. These wars were not about ethnic cleansing, but about defending themselves against enemies seeking their destruction. Additionally, these wars were not perpetuated indefinitely, as God desired reconciliation and salvation for all nations.
Understanding God's Judgment in the Old Testament
In the Old Testament, God exercised judgment against nations and individuals who opposed His people or engaged in wickedness. This judgment was often a means of last resort after repeated warnings and opportunities for repentance. The purpose was not to annihilate populations or inflict suffering, but to protect His covenant with Israel and preserve the redemptive mission that would ultimately bring salvation to all nations through the Messiah. The judgment displayed God's severity and His desire for justice. Even Jesus, in the New Testament, warned of impending judgment and enacted it upon those who opposed His message.
Jesus' Role in Judgment
Contrary to the perception that Jesus is only associated with love and forgiveness, He also declared judgment and brought it upon those who opposed Him. Jesus warned of dire consequences for those who harm innocent individuals, and He spoke in strong terms about the punishment awaiting those who rejected His message. Jesus' acts of judgment, such as overturning the tables in the temple, demonstrated His righteous anger and his desire to address wickedness and ensure the integrity of faith. It is essential to recognize that Jesus' role includes both displaying love and exercising judgment.
Understanding God's Judgment on Israel
In some instances, God's judgment extended to the Israelites themselves when they engaged in idolatry, rebellion, and immorality. This corrective judgment aimed to remove the obstacles hindering their faithfulness and to restore their covenant relationship with God. Exile, rather than extermination, was often the result of these judgments. Through the discipline and judgment of the Israelites, God sought to bring them to repentance, purification, and true worship. God's desire was always to reconcile, restore, and ultimately bless His people.
How can you negotiate with people who are intent on your destruction and are even willing to commit demonic acts to do so? The world watched in horror as the terrorist organization, Hamas, carried out the brutal attacks against innocent and defenseless Israeli citizens this past weekend, mercilessly slaughtering entire families, raping women, and dismembering young infants and children. Can these heinous crimes that we've witnessed offer any insight as to why God ordered the "utter destruction" of the enemies of Old Testament Israel?
In light of the recent terror attacks in Israel, Dr. Paul Copan sits down with Frank to reflect on this centuries old conflict and how it relates to some of the events that took place in the Old Testament. Paul will also talk more about his latest book, 'Is God a Vindictive Bully: Reconciling Portrayals of God in the Old and New Testaments,' which was written to help Christians better understand the biblical and historical backdrop of the hostility between Israel and the surrounding nations. During the episode, Paul and Frank answer questions like:
Why won't Palestinians make peace with Israel?
Why would God order people groups to be killed in the Old Testament? Isn't that 'ethnic cleansing?'
What's going on with Frank's Israel trip that was planned for November?
What are imprecatory prayers and what do they reveal about the human condition and the nature of God?
How long did God wait before He brought judgment to Israel's enemies?
In the words of New Testament scholar, N.T. Wright, "If God is not wrathful, then He is not loving." As Christians, we should pray for the peace and safety of Israel, pray for the innocent civilians caught in the middle of the war(s), and pray for the salvation of those involved in these attacks. But if God is truly as loving and as just as the Bible describes Him, can He allow such wickedness and evil to go unpunished for those who don't repent? Absolutely not!
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Dr. Paul Copan's website: http://www.paulcopan.com/
Dr. Paul Copan's books: https://amzn.to/3RRjXe0
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