Let us consider one of many talking point scare quotes that are oft employed against Bible believers. Ezekiel 9:6 states, “Slaughter the old men, the young men and women, the mothers and children.” For pseudo-skeptical-atheists a fragment of a verse is always enough information upon which to rain down condemnation. Find the whole series at this link.
Firstly, one should never be pigeonholed into strictly reading a fragment of a verse, a couple of verses or even just a paragraph as there is always a greater context at work. Coming to sweeping conclusions based on partial information is a classic case of taking a text out of context to make a pretext for a prooftext.
Secondly, before responding/counter-arguing one should always think about the question/argument. Since in accordance to this scenario, the pseudo-skeptical-atheist is condemning the slaughter they must first demonstrate upon what moral standard they are premising their condemnation, upon what is it based? If they cannot provide anything beyond their personal preference, a mere assertion, then they have no right to condemn anything and must come to terms with that fact.
Note, incidentally, that when asked for a premise they will offer something to the likes of that it is because they personally do not approve. Asked whey this is the case, they will offer another personal preference until their façade of morality is exposed for what it is: nothing but personal preferences all the way down the bottomless pit of unfounded assertions. If they appeal to the evolution of morality then all the better, simply state that in that case, what the ancient Israelites did was not immoral way back then. Also, note that since nature cares not for morality but only for survival, the Israelites survived as the fittest. You can note that in such cases “evil” is actually good as it rids the gene pool of the less fit.
For a debate on the issue of morality between an atheist and myself get a taste from the attached video and see the whole debate at this link.
So, let us get to the text of the Old Testament book of Ezekiel. The fact is that God is the ultimate in personal responsibility. Reading the following articles you will note that in the ancient near east, hyperbole was common place and oft, references to wiping out entire civilizations actually meant something to the likes of defeating their king and military:
Claude Mariottini, Is Yahweh a Moral Monster?
Paul Copan, Is Yahweh a Moral Monster? The New Atheists and Old Testament Ethics
How Could God Command Killing the Canaanites?
Yahweh Wars and the Canaanites Divinely-Mandated Genocide or Corporate Capital Punishment?
Here are books on the topic:
Eric A. Seibert, Disturbing Divine Behavior: Troubling Old Testament Images of God
Paul Copan, Is Yahweh a Moral Monster? Making Sense of the Old Testament God
The book of Ezekiel begins with his vision of YHVH’s throne, angels, etc. but we will get directly into the context of the slaughter.
From Ezekiel ch. 2:
3 …I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have been in revolt against me to this very day. 4 The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says.’ 5 And whether they listen or fail to listen—for they are a rebellious people—they will know that a prophet has been among them…6…they are a rebellious people. 7 You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious. 8 But you, son of man, listen to what I say to you. Do not rebel like that rebellious people; open your mouth and eat what I give you.” 9 Then I looked, and I saw a hand stretched out to me. In it was a scroll, 10 which he unrolled before me. On both sides of it were written words of lament and mourning and woe.
So, the Israelites are rebellious, obstinate and stubborn. Ezekiel is to be a prophet bringing YHVH’s message to them. He is to speak to them whether they listen or nor—God is giving them a fair chance. Note what was upon the scroll that Ezekiel was to eat, “words of lament and mourning and woe.”
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