Overview
Scripture distinguishes between God's judgment executed through military command and sinful human violence. The Old Testament records instances where God directed Israel to completely destroy certain nations as judgment for their wickedness. Conversely, the Bible condemns schemes of genocide and mass murder motivated by hatred, pride, or evil intent, as seen in Haman's plot against the Jewish people.
Key Scriptures
"When the Lord your God has delivered [a city] into your hand, put to the sword all the men in it" (Deuteronomy 20:13, NIV). "In the cities of the nations the Lord is giving you as an inheritance, do not leave alive anything that breathes" (Deuteronomy 20:16, NIV). "After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman... All the royal officials at the king's gate knelt down and paid honor to Haman, for the king had commanded this concerning him. But Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor" (Esther 3:1-2, NIV). "When Haman saw that Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor, he was enraged. Yet having learned who Mordecai's people were, he scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai. Instead Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai's people" (Esther 3:5-6, NIV).
Application
Believers must trust God's justice while actively opposing hatred and violence in all forms.