Joshua 5:And it came to pass, when all the kings of the Amorites, which were on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, which were by the sea, heard that the Lord had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel.
The fact is that Jericho had filled up its cup of evil to the brim, and now it comes time for payment, since God’s longsuffering and mercy had been rejected for decades. Thus, whatsoever might be our conclusion of Rahab’s ways and means, God was in it, and that should settle it. [Patriarchs/ Prophets pp 492] The utter destruction of the people of Jericho was but a fulfillment of the commands previously given through Moses concerning the inhabitants of Canaan thou shalt smite them and utterly destroy them. Deuteronomy 7:2.
[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 492] “Of the cities of these people, ... thou shalt save alive nothing that breathes.” Deuteronomy 20:16. To many, these commands seem to be contrary to the spirit of love and mercy enjoined in other portions of the Bible, but they were in truth the dictates of infinite wisdom and goodness.
The inhabitants of Canaan had been granted ample opportunity for repentance. Forty years before, the opening of the Red Sea and the judgments upon Egypt had testified to the supreme power of the God of Israel. [Patriarchs & Prophets pp 492] Like the men before the Flood, the Canaanites lived only to blaspheme Heaven and defile the earth. And both love and justice demanded the prompt execution of these rebels against God and foes to man.
Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commands all men every where to repent.
May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good bight” and God bless!