Deuteronomy chapter 20

vs 11

So basically, peace for them means slavery. This is what happened to the Gibeonites, except that they pretended they were from far away. This is the confusing thing for me. I was sure God said that there was no mercy, you had to kill all the people inside the land. And if this refers then to cities you attack outside the land, why are you attacking them?

vs 12

This is usually what happens when peace negotiations fail.

vs 13

That's harsh. I would say it is more harsh than most countries were at the time, and some of them could be pretty harsh. I mean, the Greeks and Romans could be like this - killing everyone and sowing the ground with salt - but it was rare. Israel was meant to do it every time.

vs 14

Women count as plunder. Children aren't even mentioned. Cattle are more important.

This plunder is for the use of the warriors, rather than having to be "devoted to God" through a bonfire.

vs 15

There we go. I was sure we must be talking about war that happens outside of the promised land here. But again, why are they going and invading other towns?

vs 16

Babies breathe. Ducklings breathe. Puppies breathe. Imagine being a member of the duckling death squads.

Ok, I know I'm being silly, but this is actually serious. God wants everything dead, which means that people actually have to go around putting babies to death.

vs 17

Obviously God focuses on the people, rather than the ducklings. That's a lot of people groups. Well, I mean even one people group labelled "Kill them all" is a lot.

vs 18

Better for them to die than for Israel to be turned away from God.

And there are people who view Australia like a Christian Israel. They don't say we should kill all the non-Christians, just that we shouldn't let them into the country. Only one step before we get death squads, really.

vs 19

Wait, is God here saying that a fruit tree is safe because it's not a person, but if it were a person handing out fruit, chop the bugger down with an ax? Yes, that is indeed what he is saying. These verses are just showing the utter justice of God. There is no mercy here. Except for a tree. I guess the hippies would be happy - right up until the Israelites killed them.

vs 20

There's just the slightest hint here of why Israel would be at seige with a city that isn't in the promised land. It's the idea that its people are at war with Israel. Perhaps this is where modern day Israel gets the idea of the defensive land grab?

Oh, and sorry hippies, God says I can cut down the trees to make seige works. Only fruit trees are safe. That is, useful trees. Wasn't it nice of God to give Israel some tactical advice on use of trees?