Why was there so much justified killing in the Old Testament?

Hello Janis,

This is a question I have pondered myself.  We are all the sons and daughters of God.  Our father in Heaven, the epitome of love, commanded the death of men, women, and children.  In scripture we are informed, “he doeth that which is good among the children of men.”  Scriptures further bear witness, “He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he liveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life…”; however, in light of all these witnesses, the Lord commanded the death of men, women, and children.

Justified killing of animals shouldn’t come as a surprise through the doctrine of sacrifice.  A likeness of the great, eternal, and infinite sacrifice of Jesus Christ.  Animals were also seen as “meat” for men and this justified their killing; although, when the Lord commanded the death of a whole nation why did the Lord command that all animals should be slaughtered also?

The easy answer, we do not know.  We do not know why certain events ended the way they did.  We do not know why a whole nation was commanded to be slaughtered.  In our current sphere, we are taught, “Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God…”

In the Old Testament we are further instructed, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

President Harold B. Lee is recorded writing,

“Wouldn’t it be wonderful if, when there are questions which are unanswered because the Lord hasn’t seen fit to reveal the answers as yet, all such could say, as Abraham Lincoln is alleged to have said, “I accept all I read in the Bible that I can understand, and accept the rest on faith.”

We definitely are able to continue with faith, hope, and charity waiting patiently upon the Lord, for some experiences will probably not be known until we pass through the veil and our eyes are truly opened to higher ways.

Gramps