Did God Really Say You Shall Not Kill?

Over the years, I have had multiple people question whether the Bible was in error with its position on killing. If God said, “You shall not kill”, why did he also order His people, on multiple occasions, to kill and destroy everyone from a certain town or battle? Don’t they conflict with each other? This is one of those situations that we have heard things over the years and assume we know what the 10 commandments say. If you go back and look at Exodus chapter 20, you will find it does not forbid us from killing someone but rather commands us not to murder someone. Isn’t that the same things? Aren’t we just splitting hairs? Killing just refers to taking a life while murder indicates an unjustified, premeditated, self-serving taking of a life. If I shoot someone that is breaking into my house and means me harm, I have the right to defend myself. That doesn’t mean I have to use lethal force, but it is not forbidden. Where do I get that idea from? Romans 13:4, speaking of earthly rulers, tells us, “For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.” Our leaders have the authority to take lives to protect the nation. If this leader chooses to destroy a city or people for his own personal gain, then that becomes murder. When God ordered that a people group be destroyed, it wasn’t out of anger or a need for control, but to protect His own people from spiritual harm. When Israel failed to carry out the command to destroy a nation, the idolatry of that nation usually was the downfall of Israel. I believe that any individual who turned to God would be saved. We find out in the New Testament that there was a place for Gentiles (non-Jews) in the temple worship. So, does God choose beforehand who will be saved? What about when God hardened Pharaoh’s heart so that he would refuse to let God’s people leave Egypt? Did God condemn Pharaoh through this act? No. We find that even when Pharaoh saw the might of God performed through plagues, he continued to oppose God. It is hard to understand that even though God knows we will sin, He doesn’t cause it... we do! Lord, You tell us that life is precious in Your eyes. Even though killing may be permitted, may Your love shine brighter through us. Amen