Is God bloodthirsty?

Every devoted thing in Israel shall be yours. (Numbers 18:14 ESV)

One of the criticism I read about Christianity from atheists or other critics is that the God of the Old Testament is a bloodthirsty God. God commands his people to kill nations that include women & children. He also requires his people kill hundreds of livestock to satisfy his desire for blood. But is this true of God? Is he bloodthirsty?

Numbers 18 gives us at least one example of why God required sacrifice from his people. Not only did the substitutionary sacrifice of the animal atone for their sin but the sacrifice also fed the priests. Although the atonement of sin is primary & the feeding of the Levites is secondary, it is no less important.

The Levites were not given any portion of land in Israel. This was because God was their portion & their service to him was their inheritance. It was a privilege to serve God as their inheritance. Not only did they not have land but they also did not have jobs. They didn't tend a flock or provide a service for the community because they were serving the Lord. So God provided for them by way of the sacrifice of his people. What an amazingly good God!

What many critics fail to do with the Bible is understand it in context. They do not consider genre, purpose of writing, & take things at surface level. What we must do is know our Scripture & know what it means & what it doesn't. Just because it doesn't make sense on the surface doesn't mean it doesn't make sense.

God is not bloodthirsty. He is merciful, gracious, giving, provider, giver, Father, & wants the best for us. He is holy & gracious at the same time. He must punish sin but he has a reckless love for sinners. We see this ultimately in his Son who satisfied his justice & his love on the cross. God is not bloodthirsty but shed his own blood so that we could be saved. This is our God.

What other criticism of Christianity have you heard? In what ways have you explored how the Bible makes these criticisms obsolete?