各位平安，我們今天來討論一個過去好幾章都讓我們困惑和疑惑的題目。在過去這幾章我們都看到了一段爭戰的歷史。也看到了約書亞作者的記載是：“全然毀滅”，”消滅淨盡”，“凡有氣息的一個都沒有留下”，“不拘男女老少，牛羊和驢，都用刀殺盡”。戰爭的慘酷我們都清楚，但這一段歷史是出自上帝的命令。這一段就令人感到有點疑惑：慈愛的上帝為何要下這種命令，讓這些人完全被滅絕呢？我想嘗試從幾個層面去分享跟回答這個問題。這一講可能會比較長一點。歡迎你參考我的觀點。
第一點：迦南人的罪惡
首先，我們先來了解一下迦南民族的情況。在這裡居住的迦南人是什麼樣的人呢。我們在申命記中可以做一點觀察。來自於利未記18章的記載中，這些人有相當多可憎的習俗，對於性關係，男女關係上相當混亂。在利未記中上帝特別把關於淫亂的禁令訂出，利未記18:30 免得你們隨從那些可憎的惡俗，就是在你們以先的人所常行的，以致玷污了自己。我是耶和華－你們的神。」申命記18章也記載，9「你到了耶和華－你神所賜之地，那些國民所行可憎惡的事，你不可學着行。 10你們中間不可有人使兒女經火，也不可有占卜的、觀兆的、用法術的、行邪術的、 11用迷術的、交鬼的、行巫術的、過陰的。 12凡行這些事的都為耶和華所憎惡；因那些國民行這可憎惡的事，所以耶和華－你的神將他們從你面前趕出。 13你要在耶和華－你的神面前作完全人。」這裡的異教讓人相信要以兒女來做獻祭，人獻祭的事情不斷。用人獻祭的信仰一定都是錯誤且邪惡的。在上帝試驗亞伯拉罕用以撒獻祭的時候，上帝在最後一刻阻止了這件事情發生，並且用一頭羊代替了以撒。這一個代替不是隨意的，而是一個深刻的預表：基督教唯一一次成功的活人獻祭是上帝自己的親生兒子耶穌基督。他是唯一一個被獻祭，並且死在十字架上。上帝從未要人獻人為祭物，反而是祂把自己的兒子捨了作為祭物，成為萬國萬民的救贖。
在其他的考古紀錄中和其他文獻裡，都有記載這些民族的風俗習慣相當淫亂和邪惡。整體文化和國家極度敗壞。這樣的文化如果持續下去，只會繼續擴散並且更多地破壞周圍的民族，最終污染以色列人。
第二點：上帝對以色列更為嚴厲 上帝沒有憐憫？
我們從創世紀15:16 章就看到上帝說過：到了第四代，他們必回到此地，因為亞摩利人的罪孽還沒有滿盈。上帝早就說過亞伯拉罕的後代要回到迦南地。從雅各全家移民到埃及，到今天約書亞帶領以色列人後裔回到迦南，相隔了430年。這麼長的時間，上帝一直等待著迦南地的人能夠迴轉和悔改。但事實證明，人類罪惡的本性終究只能越久越糟糕，而不會越來越好。
在這戰役之中間有沒有得救的迦南人？有的，妓女喇合，基遍人，關鍵是他們看見了上帝的同在，並且做出了選擇。這些人依然得著了救贖和赦免。公義的審判官，慈愛的執法者就如警察，法院和軍隊的義務是維持秩序，保護社會的安全，以及懲罰罪惡，身為公義的本身的上帝，當然更有權柄作出審判，懲罰罪惡，消除罪惡。如果上帝不執行公義的懲罰，那麼反而是任憑罪的成長，反而是縱容罪惡。而上帝沒有立刻執行公義的審判，就是因為他有慈愛與憐憫，等待罪人悔改。而這忍耐和等待是有期限的，當期限到了，審判依然會來的。
不義的人如何有資格批評公義的上帝
當我們研讀聖經，我們會看到上帝施行這樣懲罰的範圍和人數相當有限，而看人的歷史中，我們看到更多更殘酷的人殺人，你會發現人類的科技進步都是因為戰爭的需要，人類的發展史就是一個人類不段發明更有效率殺人工具的過程。每一次文明的進步，冶煉技術的提升首先不是用來做農具，而是用來做武器。火藥的發明不是為了開山洞，而是為了做殺人武器。反觀，上帝使用手段把已經完全墮落的文化消除掉，從人類歷史的角度來看，更像是一場精準的外科手術，把人類文明中的癌細胞去除掉，保持了人類文明暫時停止墮落的救贖手段。由此可見，人類因自身的私慾和罪性，以公義之名發起的戰爭是何等虛假。任何一個個人，民族或國家發起對上帝慈愛公義的質疑之聲，指責上帝的同時，只需要回頭看看自己民族的歷史，就會發現比上帝的作為更殘忍千百倍，罄竹難書的戰爭歷史。
我們看到以色列對迦南這些民族施行的懲罰，而對以色列只有慈愛而已嗎？當我們回到列王記上下，耶利米書，以賽亞書這些記載中，我們看到上帝對漸漸敗壞的以色列也是嚴厲，並且施行懲罰。而且上帝對自己的子民施行的懲罰還更嚴格，從亞述，巴比倫，波斯到後來的羅馬帝國，以及兩千年之久在各國之間的漂泊和流浪，歷史證明了上帝管教自己的子民比管教外邦人更為嚴厲許多。
第三：上帝是掌管主權的終極主宰
有一些解經的學者和基督徒說毀滅迦南人的記載是誇大的修辭，並且舉了一些證據說，很多上帝說要毀滅的地方後來還有人居住，而且迦南文化還是有持續下去。像是亞納族人，非利士人，還有一些記載的城市說是要全然毀滅，但我們也可以相信說多多少少還是會有一些逃走的人，還是會有一些倖免於戰爭的人。所以雖然約書亞記記載的是 “全然滅淨“ 但終究是有一部分的人活著。雖然我同意這樣的說法，也可能是為了要讓未信者對這段歷史更可以接受。這樣的說法可以用於某些場合，對這些比較困難的經文做出一些比較可以接受的解釋。
但我個人覺得不應該這樣減少強調關於上帝公義的本性。就如我們剛剛所說，上帝執行懲罰是公義的舉動，雖然在人的眼中看來可能有殘酷的畫面，但就是外科醫生執行手術的過程，有流血和痛苦，但結局是為了醫治和祝福。再舉一個更極端的例子來證明這一點。在創世紀中記載的大洪水，上帝選擇是執行全地的清潔，只剩下最後挪亞一家人和各種動物生物的存留。而方舟就是這一場清洗中的恩典，即使是這樣的懲罰，上帝也還是公義的，也還是有恩典的。
我們需要了解的事情是，上帝既是創造者，也是救贖者，也是審判者。祂是 “天地的主宰，萬軍之耶和華”。雖然聖經中有許多難解的經文，有許多我們不是立即可以明白和了解的經文，我相信有許多的基督徒，學者，甚至窮一生研究聖經的人，都依然會有未解之謎，未能了解的經文和記載。有這樣的情況的存在，並非是我們信心不足，或是聖經有誤區等等。
我們在讀聖經的時候，得要了解一件事情：我們不能夠完全明白了解上帝，我們無法完全了解他的旨意。羅馬書11:33 深哉，神豐富的智慧和知識！他的判斷何其難測！他的蹤跡何其難尋！誰知道主的心？誰做過祂的謀士呢？
在約伯記也有類似的經文，在11:7 節 你考察就能測透神嗎？你豈能盡情猜透全能者嗎？他的智慧高於天，你還能做什麼？深於陰間，你還能知道什麼？所以最終的解釋權在上帝手中，最終的裁決權也在上帝手中。我們看到的上帝的本意是平安和永遠的生命，因為在耶穌基督裡祂已經完全啟示祂自己的意思了。約翰福音3:16 所說的是：神愛世人，甚至將祂獨生子賜給他們，叫一切信祂的不致滅亡，反得永生。
耶穌在十字架上流的血證明了神的愛。這是最重要的啟示，其他的部分，願我們懷著對這一信息的信心來更深地了解上帝的心意。這邊，是我對於約書亞記中可能比較殘酷的經文所做的個人分享。盼望你也可以更深度地去研究聖經，並且以整體去看整本聖經的啟示。願我們能夠了解聖經中記載的總原則，並且懷著學習和敬畏的心情繼續跟隨上帝。
感謝各位的聆聽，我們接續講約書亞記第十二章的故事。
Brothers and Sisters, Peace to You All!Today, we will discuss a topic that has likely caused confusion and questions over the past several chapters.
In the recent chapters, we have witnessed a series of battles and read descriptions like "completely destroyed," "exterminated," "not sparing anyone that breathed," and "both men and women, young and old, as well as cattle, sheep, and donkeys, were killed with the sword."
The brutality of war is something we all recognize, but what perplexes us here is that these events were commanded by God. Why would a loving God issue such commands, leading to the complete annihilation of these people?
I would like to approach this question from several perspectives. This explanation may take some time, but I hope you find it helpful.
Point 1: The Wickedness of the Canaanites
First, we must understand the condition of the Canaanite people. Who were the Canaanites living in this region? A closer look at Deuteronomy and Leviticus gives us some insights.
In Leviticus 18, God explicitly forbids the Israelites from following the detestable practices of the people who inhabited the land before them. These practices included gross immorality, especially regarding sexual conduct.
In Deuteronomy 18:9–13, God warns the Israelites:"When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord."
The Canaanites even practiced human sacrifice, offering their children as burnt offerings to their gods. This behavior is utterly abhorrent and demonstrates the depth of their moral corruption.
In contrast, God stopped Abraham from sacrificing Isaac, replacing the boy with a ram—a profound foreshadowing of Jesus Christ as the ultimate sacrifice. This substitution points to the truth that God does not demand human sacrifices. Instead, He offered His own Son as the one perfect sacrifice for humanity’s salvation.
Archaeological records and historical writings reveal the depravity of the Canaanite culture—rampant immorality and deeply rooted idolatry. Such a corrupt culture would only continue to grow, spreading destruction and influencing surrounding nations, including Israel.
Point 2: God's Patience and Justice
Was there no mercy from God?
In Genesis 15:16, God says, “In the fourth generation, your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure.” God delayed Israel’s conquest for over 400 years, allowing the Canaanites time to repent. But rather than improving, their sins only worsened over time.
Even in these battles, there were instances of mercy. Rahab and the Gibeonites were spared because they recognized God’s presence and chose to align themselves with Israel.
God, as the ultimate Judge, has the authority to bring judgment upon wickedness. If He does not act against sin, He would be permitting evil to flourish unchecked.
Furthermore, God’s judgment comes after long periods of patience and mercy. His delay in judgment is a reflection of His desire for repentance, but this patience is not indefinite. When the time for judgment arrives, it is executed in full righteousness.
Should humanity, as sinners, critique the just God?
Humanity’s history is filled with far greater brutality. Wars fueled by greed, pride, and sin have claimed countless lives. Humanity has developed tools of destruction in the name of progress, often misusing innovation to harm rather than help.
In comparison, God’s judgments in Canaan resemble a surgeon’s precise excision of a cancerous tumor—a necessary action to preserve the health of the whole. His actions demonstrate both justice and mercy.
Moreover, God does not spare Israel from discipline. Throughout biblical history, we see God punishing Israel with even greater severity when they fall into sin, such as during the Babylonian exile or Roman dispersion.
Point 3: God's Sovereignty and Authority
Some scholars suggest that the accounts of complete destruction in Joshua may be hyperbolic or rhetorical, noting that remnants of the Canaanite population continued to exist after these battles. While this perspective can make these passages more palatable to modern readers, I believe it should not dilute the emphasis on God’s justice.
The biblical narrative portrays God’s judgments as righteous and intentional, even when they are difficult for us to comprehend fully.
Take the example of the flood in Genesis: God executed a global judgment, sparing only Noah’s family and selected animals. Even in this act of judgment, we see God’s grace through the provision of the ark.
God is the Creator, Redeemer, and ultimate Judge. As finite beings, we cannot fully comprehend His ways. As Paul writes in Romans 11:33–34:“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?”
We may not understand everything in Scripture, but we trust that God’s actions are rooted in His character of justice and love.
Conclusion: Understanding God's Heart
Ultimately, we see the fullest expression of God’s character in Jesus Christ. Through the cross, God reveals His love and justice. As John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
The blood shed by Jesus on the cross is the clearest demonstration of God’s love. Let this truth anchor us as we seek to understand the more challenging passages of Scripture.
I hope this reflection helps you approach Joshua’s narrative with greater clarity and faith. May we continue to study the Bible with humility and reverence, seeking to understand the fullness of God’s Word.
Thank you for listening, and next time, we’ll continue with Joshua Chapter 12.
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