"Genocide" and the Bible Part 6 - The Canaanites

God's Pattern of Judgment in the OT

1.The annihilations are judgments.
2.These judgments are for publicly-recognized (indeed, international and cross-cultural in scope!) cruelty and violence of an EXTREME and WIDESPREAD nature.
3.These judgments are preceded by LONG PERIODS of warning/exposure to truth (and therefore, opportunity to "change outcomes").
4.Innocent adults are given a 'way out'
5.Household members share in the fortunes of the parents (for good or ill).
6.Somebody ALWAYS escapes (Lot, Noah, Kenites)

Was the Canaanite military campaign by Israel fit this pattern ? (Deut. and Joshua)

Yes, its does.

The biblical text gives us several indications that this campaign or annihilation is such a judgment: Gen 15:13-15. Deut. 9:4; 18:12, Lev 18:24-25

Who were the Canaanites:

By the time Israel enters the land of Canaan it is occupied by a very violent, warlike culture. The inhabitants were called Canaanites as well as Amorites. This culture appears to have destroyed an advanced civilization that was in the land before Abraham. They were known for war and violence. Their religion was very violent as well.

Sources:
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Peoples of the Old Testament World
Myth and Mystery: An Introduction to the Pagan Religions of the Biblical World by Jack Finegan
Ebla: A New Look at History
Glen Miller: http://www.christian-thinktank.com/
James Patrick Holding: http://www.tektonics.org/

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