Lessons from the wars in OT

As I traced the path taken by God's people through the books in the Old Testament, I often imagined myself as a character living amongst them. From that point of view, God is with us and would drive out our enemies before us so that we can possess the land across Jordan river that God promised (Joshua 3:10).

Yet I struggled to understand how a God of compassion and love would demand His people to ensure the total annihilation of their enemies whose land God has given to them. Various examples are given:

• Joshua 6:21 "They devoted the city to the Lord and destroyed with the sword every living thing in it - men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep and donkeys."
• Joshua 8:24-27 "When Israel had finished killing all the men of Ai in the fields... all the Israelites returned to Ai and killed those who were in it... as the Lord instructed Joshua"

Surely God could have allowed Israel to conquer them but keep them alive, perhaps as a colony who would pay annual "tithes" to Israel, or even less, as mere slaves?

Today, I thought... yes, God could. But He could have three objectives:
(i) He wants a complete victory over the sin in their lives, not to leave any bit behind
(ii) God is Holy and he wants His people to be set aside, not to compromise by marrying pagans who worship other idols
(iii) For those who were vanquished, God was using Israel to execute judgment against them.

So I thought, the first point is probably most critical - the complete victory over sin in our lives. To live for God means we cannot compromise and live on with sin. Rather, we must eradicate them completely, however "acceptable" the alternative may seem.

Prayer:
God help me keep my mind focussed on You and give me a heart of thanksgiving. Help me to choose to praise You in all circumstances. Guard my thoughts especially when the going gets tough and frustrations mount. Help me always to think of "what would Jesus do", and to capture my thoughts, emotions to the obedience of Christ. Amen.