Execution or Murder?

There is an important difference to note between execution and murder. If someone is executed, then they have been sentenced by the governing body to a punishment of death. The sentence is given lawfully and carried out with justice. Murder, in contrast, takes place without law, and according to the terms of the individual murderer(s). More often than not, murder is completely unjust.

The reason for this letter is that I have, of late, seen many statements accusing God of being a murderer or of supporting murder. These statements all cite verses from the Old Testament in which God is celebrated for smiting Israel's enemies, or in which people die by the will of God. Popular examples seem to be the plague of the firstborn in Egypt and the killing of women and children during warfare. However, no one making these accusations against God ever seems to acknowledge that these are acts of judgment, not of actual murder.

God, as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, is governing body of the universe. In the Old Testament God's role as king and governing body was very much stressed, especially for Israel. So when God smote the firstborn of Egypt, when He commanded that all the enemy people be killed, when He struck down His own people for disobedience, He was actually carrying out His righteous judgment in the form of execution. As the supreme governing body, He makes all the laws, and He carries out His judgment and punishment accordingly. We can be assured that God is righteous and just in all His ways; if He were not, then the blood of His Son could not save us.

Throughout the centuries, God has carried out His righteous judgment. On various occasions, He has chosen execution as His means of punishment. But He has never been a murderer.

See Also:

"God is Not a Cold-Blooded Killer!"

"How Can God be Good if He Created Evil Things?"