Joshua, 11

This chapter details the capture by the Hebrews under Joshua of the small kingdoms of southern Canaan: in Libnah, 11, 30: ". . .He put it to the sword with every person there, leaving no survivors.
Thus he did to its king what he had done to the king of Jericho."

Now, the post-Christian and post-Judaist, would dismiss such holy war mass killing as evil war, sign of a cruel, barbaric deity, not worthy of remembering, let alone following and worshiping.

Now that reaction seems excessive to me. We must read these theological and historical stories in the spirit of the times in which they lived. It could be that the enemies of Israel were so wicked or s hateful, that they intended never to coexist with them, planning to wipe them out. It could well be that Yahweh need to use some harsh measures to make a holy land for his chosen people.

It could be that these pagan neighbors were so devil-worshiping, corrupt, or so fanatical, that they had to be extirpated anyway, just like I recommend doing today to ISIS.

As holy war evolves, there will still be times that the conquered must be wiped out, but we hope to spare as many as possible, and kill as few of civilians as possible, while still winning the war and spreading God's cause.

Ancient people were so uneducated, so primitive in their thinking and culture, so groupist and fanatical, that these harsh measures--rough justice--likely was the  only way to get their attention and convert them.

Yahweh was a good and just God, but in rough times, it is not always possible to follow all the niceties of mercy and sparing people.

We still need to fight holy wars and kill people, but we hope and pray that we can be as sparing of life and pain as necessary while still winning the war. Life is not easy, and tough choices must be made and carried out.