Why so much killing?

Joshua 6-10

I see why it is so hard for some people to read the Old Testament. The chapters of Joshua that I read today are extremely violent. They have to do with attacking cities and putting everyone to death that is within the cities. At face value, the massive loss of human life, it doesn't seem very God-like of You to have the Israelites do this.

I can see the metaphorical value of what is happening. When we come into the new land that You have provided for us, the abundant life that Christ has talked about, we need to get rid of all remnants of the old life. We need to completely obliterate sins and ways of thinking that are like the world's. I understand the validity of that metaphor.

But I cannot reduce this whole sequence to metaphor. It certainly happened as Israel moved from the Exodus into the promised land. It had to or the people would never have become residents of their new land in peace, they would always have been at war with their neighbors. And we know that Israel establishes this political realm as well. So they must have defeated and thrown out there enemies, it is real.

So, it just still bothers me that they had to kill everyone. I mean, I understand it also from a military background, and even if we are looking at it politically. You can't have a remnant of another nation, as the remnant will eventually rise up and revolt and cause turmoil. But I guess I want to see more from You in this story than metaphor, military tactics, political savvy, and practicality. I want to see the things of You that inspire me: compassion, love, hope for the oppressed, mercy, and on and on.