Divinely Approved Torture?
(More Bible Studies Available @ www.marktabata.com)
To Receive These (And Other) Free Bible Studies And Updates Via Email, Contact Mark Tabata @ 606-216-1757 (Text Message) Or hazardhomecoc@gmail.com (Email)
2 Samuel 12:31 (KJV)-And he brought forth the people that were therein, and put them under saws, and under harrows of iron, and under axes of iron, and made them pass through the brickkiln: and thus did he unto all the cities of the children of Ammon. So David and all the people returned unto Jerusalem.
Over the years, I have worked with friends who had moral objections to the Bible (and to the God of the Bible). One of the most often repeated objections was that here (2 Samuel 12:31), King David was smiled upon by God for torturing his enemies. During a Bible study with a group of inmates, one of the gentleman told us how God took special delight in seeing His enemies tortured with saws and flames. So if God was okay with torturing His enemies, shouldn’t we be okay with inflicting torture on those who “deserve” it?
Let’s think this through.
First, this passage is not talking about torture. The archaic language of the KJV has often led to misunderstanding. Notice how this is rendered in more modern translations:
2 Samuel 12:31 (NKJV)-And he brought out the people who were in it, and put them to work with saws and iron picks and iron axes, and made them cross over to the brick works. So he did to all the cities of the people of Ammon. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.
2 Samuel 12:31 (GW)-He brought out the troops who were there and put them to work with saws, hoes, and axes. He did the same to all the Ammonite cities. Then David and all the troops returned to Jerusalem.
Notice that this passage is discussing labor, not torture.
Second, even if this passage were discussing torture, it would not necessarily mean that God approves of such. Quite often in the Bible, we read about things that God records but does not necessarily approve of. Thing about it. The daily newspaper records many crimes that have been committed. By reporting those crimes, are the reporters approving of the crimes being committed? Of course not!
“It is a mistake to assume that everything contained in the Bible is commended by the Bible. The whole Bible is true (John 17:17), but it records some lies, for example, Satan’s (Gen. 3:4; cf. John 8:44) and Rahab’s (Josh. 2:4). Inspiration encompasses the Bible fully and completely in the sense that it records accurately and truthfully even the lies and errors of sinful beings. The truth of Scripture is found in what the Bible reveals, not in everything it records. Unless this distinction is held, it may be incorrectly concluded that the Bible teaches immorality because it narrates David’s sin (2 Sam. 11:4), that it promotes polygamy because it records Solomon’s (I Kings 11:3), or that it affirms atheism because it quotes the fool as saying “there is no God” (Ps. 14:1).” (Norman L. Geisler & Thomas Howe, The Big Book of Bible Difficulties: Clear and Concise Answers from Genesis to Revelation, 232-236 (Kindle Edition): Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books)
Third, as Christians, our primary responsibility before God is to His Word, even if such contradicts a government mandate. Years ago while working with gentlemen from a drug rehab in Kentucky, we entered into a discussion of the Bible and ethics. If government ordered soldiers to kill noncombatant family members of our nation’s enemies, would that be permissible? One told us that it was the responsibility of soldiers to obey their commanding officers, and he even referenced Scripture to us (Romans 13:1-7).
So why not go a step further and say it is permissible to torture America’s enemies if commanded to do so?
Or why not say it is alright to torture our personal enemies if they have mistreated us or our families?
Would vigilante “justice” be a horrible thing?
The gentleman was correct that Christians are exhorted to obey the laws of the land. However, he forgot an important distinction: such obedience is mandatory only when they are not in contradiction to God’s laws.
Acts 5:29-But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.
The Bible is filled with lots of examples of godly men and women who opposed civil laws that were immoral (the midwives who opposed Pharaoh, Moses, Daniel, Jeremiah, Isaiah, the Apostles, etc). As God’s people, our first obligation is to God.
Further, we are reminded that it is not our place to take personal vengeance against our enemies.
Romans 12:19-Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord.
Ultimately, let us trust in God and His Word in dealing with the wicked.
Lord, help us to treat Your Word with fairness and diligence as we study. Help us as we live in this world and face difficult situations. We pray for our enemies and ask for Your wisdom and intervention. Thank You Father for Your counsel and intervention. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.