Christians are often accused by critics of serving a “crazy” God who would destroy innocent nations in the Old Testament. In order to support their arguments, skeptics cherry-pick bible verses to portray God as an immoral bully; however, this is untrue.

Let’s look at two essential facts to help us answer this question:

(1) No one is truly innocent

Romans 3:23 (NKJV)

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

(2) No one will be without excuse before God

Romans 1:20 (NKJV)

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,

One does not have to be a Christian to know right from wrong; it is built inside everyone one of us; therefore, no one will be able to excuse their actions in front of God.

In addition, judgment has always been God’s last resort (after prolonged periods of patience and warnings). Here are a few examples from the Old Testament:

• • • Sodom and Gomorrah: God was willing to spare these cities if only ten righteous people were found, as Abraham interceded (Genesis 18:32).
    • Noah’s Time: Humanity was given a 120-year warning period, during which Noah preached righteousness (2 Peter 2:5).
    • The Canaanites: God’s judgment came after 430 years of their sinful practices.
    • Israel’s Captivity: Despite centuries of rebellion, God continually sent prophets to guide the nation back to righteousness.

Likewise, in the Old Testament, God sent prophets to warn the people of impending judgment, which illustrates His mercy by giving them a chance to repent and change.

These examples highlight God’s mercy and reluctance to impose judgment, preferring repentance and reform.

While God’s call for destruction was never based on ethnic cleansing, it was focused on purging nations of idol worship, immorality, and total rejection of God. We sink to the depths of sin when we reject God, resorting to all manner of evil thinking and practices. It is these kinds of corrupt people that God judged to be killed.

In conclusion, as we delve into the Old Testament, we see a profound display of God’s sovereign justice. It’s clear that His judgments are neither arbitrary nor cruel. They stand as a testament to His unwavering holiness and righteousness.

God, in His infinite patience, offered ample opportunities for repentance before enacting judgment. These historical accounts; are divine lessons in the gravity of sin and the holiness of God. They must drive us to the foot of the cross, where God’s justice and mercy meet.