How do we understand God’s instruction to the Jews to destroy the Amalekites (in 1 Samuel 15:1-3)? It’s the kind of action we don’t associate with a loving God.
The Old Testament reveals that God especially hated the sacrifice of children to a false god. He regarded it as the worst shame of the truth. As such, God never failed to inflict a consequence on a nation that does such a thing – even if it were its people, the Jews.
The Amalekites mainly practiced child sacrifice. The Amalekites were descended from Amalek, the grandson of Esau – a man who broke the covenant with God by spurning his birthright. The murderous Haman (who tried to exterminate all the Jews in the Book of Esther) was an Amalekite. He is described as “the Agagite, ” descended from the Amalekite kings (see King Agag in 1 Samuel 15:7-8). The Amalekites consistently sought the destruction of the Jews (Exodus 17:8-14; Numbers 14:41-45; Judges 3:12-14; Judges 6:3.33-35). Their irreconcilable attitude toward the Jews and their habit of sacrificing children to false gods (Deuteronomy 12:31) led to God’s condemnation of them to utter destruction (1 Samuel 15:1-3).
What can we say in response to our bewilderment at God’s calling to destroy the Amalekites? Let us establish the limits within which the truth about this will be found:
God is the ultimate definition of love. God is the top definition of what is righteous. God is holy. He has zero tolerance for evil. God will kill it. The sobering reality is that, in some sense, we all deserve death. The Bible records that other nations living in the land had “abominable practices” in worshiping their false gods (Deuteronomy 20:16-18). This especially included child sacrifice (2 Chronicles 28:3). There was the possibility that the Jews would offer peace rather than destruction to a population if they posed no threat to the Jews and were willing to serve them (Deuteronomy 20:10-11). Jesus is the perfect image of God. He completes and perfects our understanding of God and is the true and authoritative representation of God’s character. This present life is not all there is. Nor is it central from the perspective of God’s eternal kingdom. No “good” person (of whatever race and nationality) will not receive his reward in eternity (Matthew 2:31-46; Mark 9:41).
We must never forget that God’s overarching emotional response to all people is one of love. To remind you, here are some beautiful verses from the Old Testament that talk about God’s love:
O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven or on earth, you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who walk your way wholeheartedly (2 Chronicles 6:14). I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have attracted you with loving-kindness (Jeremiah 31:3). That’s why I’m going to seduce her now; I (God) will lead her into the wilderness and speak to her tenderly (Hosea 2:14). How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I treat you like Adam? How can I get you to like Zeboim? My heart has changed; all my compassion is awakened (Hosea 11:8).
Dr. Nick Hawkes is a scientist, preacher, apologist, writer, and broadcaster. He also describes himself as an absent-minded, slightly obsessive man, pathetically weak from cancer and chemo, who has experienced and must experience the grace of God every day.
Nick has written a book, Soar Above the Storm, in which he draws on his experience with cancer to encourage anyone going through a storm to find peace and hope in God. It offers a 40-day retreat to be refreshed and strengthened and to find deep peace in God. Order it from Koorong.
