There are “times and seasons” (Acts 1:7) in God’s plan. Ecclesiastes 3:1 explains, “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” Verses 2-8 make contrast between being born and dying, time to kill a time to heal, a time to laugh and a time to mourn etc. 

In the Old Testament, God desired Israel to be a righteous standard in an evil world. We call this season the “Jewish Age.” Nationally, they had to fight to defend themselves against attacks. They never attempted to expand their borders and build an empire. They were only either taking or defending the land that God had promised them.

When God directed them to kill every man, woman and child in a nation, there was a reason. God, who is all powerful and omniscient, has promised an awakening of the dead (“there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust” Acts 24:15). The purpose of the resurrection is to teach mankind righteousness, love, and obedience. If some nations had become so corrupt, hardened in sin, greed, and selfishness in this life, they would be unteachable in the resurrection. They might still prefer sin, and then would die the second death. 

The nations God instructed Israel to kill were already so corrupt they sacrificed their own infants as burnt offerings to their gods (Jeremiah 32:25). The sins of these nations similar to those in Sodom, they “…had arrogance, abundant food and careless ease, but she did not help the poor and needy… and committed abominations before Me. Therefore I removed them as I saw fit.” Ezekiel 16:49-50 (NASB). Their destruction was actually a mercy.

Jesus brought a different season to God’s plan. God no longer dealt with the nation but with individuals followers of Jesus. These would covenant to deny their own wills, take up their crosses, and obey only God’s will. (Matthew 16:24)  Christians are to develop the qualities in the beatitudes  one of which is being a “peacemaker”. “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” We are to “live at peace with everyone….If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink….overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:18, 20-21, (NIV)

Rightly understood there is no contradiction between God and his Son. Jesus said, “I and my Father are one.” (John 10:30) It’s a oneness of purpose and of understanding. Christians are a part of that oneness. “that they may be one, as we are.” (John 17:11)

The next season will be Christ’s peaceable kingdom for the whole world. Psalms 72:7 NKJV – In His (Christ’s) days the righteous shall flourish, And abundance of peace…”