In the Book of Esther, Haman, one of the main characters in the story and the history of the Jewish people, was a descendant of the Amalekites. This particular tribe was at war with Israel since even in the times of the Genesis writings (Genesis 14:7).
They were always against anything Israel stood for, and according to Scripture had no fear of God Himself.
The big thing about the Amalekites was God's command to Saul to kill all the Amalekites: their warriors, families, women, children, new-borns, the aged...everyone...and their livestock as well.
Much has been written of that particular command by God to Saul, described in 1 Samuel 15-17.
There is much controversy over if we serve a God of love, why would He permit such an "atrocity", let alone initiate it.
The Amalekites as far as I have read and studied are the descendants of Esau. Their main ancestor being Amalek, who was to have been the grandson of Esau.
They were a bedouin tribe who mainly lived in the Judah region, or the southern part of what is now Israel.
They made a "big splash" in Jewish history when they attacked the Israelites on their exodus from Egypt while travelling to the Promised Land. Israel herself was not in the best of situations, having threatened to stone Moses for lack of water, and then Moses getting very upset with the people of Israel and hit the Rock that brought forth water instead of speaking to the rock, which cost Moses his entrance to the Promised Land.
In the midst of all this, the Amalekites attack Israel from the rear, some historians claiming that the Amalekites were wanting to deny the Israelites water from the miracle God had made by bringing forth water from the rock.
At any rate, the Amalekites attacked from the rear...the weak, the weary, and the aged. This was an atrocity both Israel and God never forgot.
After reading various articles and views on the Amalekites and how this enmity had built up between Haman and Mordecai as brought out in the book of Esther, it becomes evident the Amalekite train of thought was they not only hated Israel...they had utmost disdain for the God they (Israel) believed in. And, in my humble opinion...lies the real problem.
There are numerous articles written on if we as Christians serve a God of love, why would He order babies and pets to be killed?...even the livestock which Saul was commanded to do was to be slaughtered...which Saul did not...and had to answer for. (I Samuel 15)
Well, here are my conclusions on situations like this that appear in history:
First, I do believe our God through Jesus Christ is not only a God of love, but the Author of love itself.
I don't have all the facts as to the Amalekites and their outcome, but here are some things I do know:
1. For over a period of 400 years there were written documents on the Amalekites, not only in Scripture but in other historical documents as well (example being Egyptian history). In all these writings, it was apparent of the hatred this tribe had against Israel and there seems to be a inward hatred toward the God of Israel.
2. In "Rules of Conduct" as to Israel's way of coming against another nation when entering the Promised Land, they initially offer a peaceful alternative prior to any battle. Did they do so with the Amalekites....I don't know.
3. The Scriptures are clear as to what happened to Sodom and Gommorah, yet in Genesis 18 God clearly said that if 10 people were found who gave respect to the True God, He would not destroy Sodom and Gommorah.
I have to wonder, were the Amalekites lifestyles so evil....I know they have connections in being Caananites and things like child sacrifices, sexual perversities, and general disrespect for human life all have origins from this culture.
History is vast, and understanding of different times and eras are sometimes difficult because we try to look at different periods from our present day understanding of life. This is particularly so when it comes to militant events that are recorded.
To this day, much is debated over The Crusades or even the events of the Civil War right here in the U.S.A. Why did Viet Nam happen the way it did...etc...etc.
It is horrible to read of babies, aged, women, and children being killed in different periods of history, but I also have to accept this as a very real part of human history. All I know is the choices we make today have an impact on what we face in the future....like Haman in the book of Esther. His hatred for Mordecai wasn't enough to satisfy him...he wanted every Jewish citizen killed...including the aged, the children, and the newborn.
Hatred for another can take life to extremes God never intended for us to go...and unless we are willing to repent of our actions, He sometimes I think has to "turn out the lights" on certain agendas before its evil influence triumph over the good.
In the holocaust for example, with millions slaughtered, what if Hitler had won....? How would that affected human history?...or other evil leaders from the past...what if they would have survived and made their lifestyles a permanent mark in society.
I think there is a time in history as a whole and individually as well, ignoring the numerous warnings God may well give...that He declares: "Enough, you will go no farther...you have exhausted your right to free choice...your crimes are too many..."
They were always against anything Israel stood for, and according to Scripture had no fear of God Himself.
The big thing about the Amalekites was God's command to Saul to kill all the Amalekites: their warriors, families, women, children, new-borns, the aged...everyone...and their livestock as well.
Much has been written of that particular command by God to Saul, described in 1 Samuel 15-17.
There is much controversy over if we serve a God of love, why would He permit such an "atrocity", let alone initiate it.
The Amalekites as far as I have read and studied are the descendants of Esau. Their main ancestor being Amalek, who was to have been the grandson of Esau.
They were a bedouin tribe who mainly lived in the Judah region, or the southern part of what is now Israel.
They made a "big splash" in Jewish history when they attacked the Israelites on their exodus from Egypt while travelling to the Promised Land. Israel herself was not in the best of situations, having threatened to stone Moses for lack of water, and then Moses getting very upset with the people of Israel and hit the Rock that brought forth water instead of speaking to the rock, which cost Moses his entrance to the Promised Land.
In the midst of all this, the Amalekites attack Israel from the rear, some historians claiming that the Amalekites were wanting to deny the Israelites water from the miracle God had made by bringing forth water from the rock.
At any rate, the Amalekites attacked from the rear...the weak, the weary, and the aged. This was an atrocity both Israel and God never forgot.
After reading various articles and views on the Amalekites and how this enmity had built up between Haman and Mordecai as brought out in the book of Esther, it becomes evident the Amalekite train of thought was they not only hated Israel...they had utmost disdain for the God they (Israel) believed in. And, in my humble opinion...lies the real problem.
There are numerous articles written on if we as Christians serve a God of love, why would He order babies and pets to be killed?...even the livestock which Saul was commanded to do was to be slaughtered...which Saul did not...and had to answer for. (I Samuel 15)
Well, here are my conclusions on situations like this that appear in history:
First, I do believe our God through Jesus Christ is not only a God of love, but the Author of love itself.
I don't have all the facts as to the Amalekites and their outcome, but here are some things I do know:
1. For over a period of 400 years there were written documents on the Amalekites, not only in Scripture but in other historical documents as well (example being Egyptian history). In all these writings, it was apparent of the hatred this tribe had against Israel and there seems to be a inward hatred toward the God of Israel.
2. In "Rules of Conduct" as to Israel's way of coming against another nation when entering the Promised Land, they initially offer a peaceful alternative prior to any battle. Did they do so with the Amalekites....I don't know.
3. The Scriptures are clear as to what happened to Sodom and Gommorah, yet in Genesis 18 God clearly said that if 10 people were found who gave respect to the True God, He would not destroy Sodom and Gommorah.
I have to wonder, were the Amalekites lifestyles so evil....I know they have connections in being Caananites and things like child sacrifices, sexual perversities, and general disrespect for human life all have origins from this culture.
History is vast, and understanding of different times and eras are sometimes difficult because we try to look at different periods from our present day understanding of life. This is particularly so when it comes to militant events that are recorded.
To this day, much is debated over The Crusades or even the events of the Civil War right here in the U.S.A. Why did Viet Nam happen the way it did...etc...etc.
It is horrible to read of babies, aged, women, and children being killed in different periods of history, but I also have to accept this as a very real part of human history. All I know is the choices we make today have an impact on what we face in the future....like Haman in the book of Esther. His hatred for Mordecai wasn't enough to satisfy him...he wanted every Jewish citizen killed...including the aged, the children, and the newborn.
Hatred for another can take life to extremes God never intended for us to go...and unless we are willing to repent of our actions, He sometimes I think has to "turn out the lights" on certain agendas before its evil influence triumph over the good.
In the holocaust for example, with millions slaughtered, what if Hitler had won....? How would that affected human history?...or other evil leaders from the past...what if they would have survived and made their lifestyles a permanent mark in society.
I think there is a time in history as a whole and individually as well, ignoring the numerous warnings God may well give...that He declares: "Enough, you will go no farther...you have exhausted your right to free choice...your crimes are too many..."
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