Is there genocide in Joshua?

How would you counter the argument that Joshua is genocide planned by God?

There are a number of things to say to this question

1. There is a lot of killing in the book of Joshua, let's not deny it! And the killing is directed by God, the people are directed to put to death all those in Jericho, 'they devoted the city to the Lord and destroyed with the sword every living thing in it – men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep and donkeys' (Josh 6:21). This happens to the city of Ai 9 (ch 8), as well as the southern and northern cities (ch10-11).
   

   
    

2. The idea of 'devoting something to destruction' is from a Hebrew word 'cherem'. Only God has the authority to impose this on any city or people.
   

   
    

   
    

3. The use of point 2 is specifically in the conquest of Canaan. It is not a broad policy with wide applicability and a long record of use. The purpose was to protect the Israelites from idolatry by ridding the land of idol worshippers (see Deut 20:16-18). But all this is still pretty bleak stuff, but there are some more realities to come to grips with:
   

   
    

   1. If justice is ever to be done, there are people who deserve destruction. The destruction of Sodom & Gomorrah in gen 18-19 troubles people less because of the debauchery going on. In relation to Joshua it is the Canaanites themselves who initiate the hostilities against the Israelites. Joshua 9:1-2 says,
      

 ¹ Now when all the kings west of the Jordan heard about these things—those in the hill country, in the western foothills, and along the entire coast of the Great Sea ^[a] as far as Lebanon (the kings of the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites)- ²
they came together to make war against Joshua and Israel.

    Even though these people knew the great power of God they still engaged in war with them. This is what Rahab knows about God in Josh 2:8-13

⁸ Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof ⁹ and said to them, "I know that the LORD has given this land to you and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. ¹⁰ We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea ^[a] for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. ^[b]
11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted and everyone's courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below. ¹² Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign ¹³ that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and that you will save us from death."

 

    The people of Canaan were not innocent victims of a form of injustice. At least some of them were God's opponents.

1. It is a difficult thing to be totally comfortable with what transpires in Joshua because of the distance that lies between us and them. We are not an ancient near east culture. I'm guessing few people would respond with a joy and glee over the destruction proclaiming 'that is what they deserve'. In fact the rest of the Old Testament rarely recalls the conquests, doesn't glory in its goriness and never promotes it as a policy for the future. Therefore we cannot ever literally apply the conquest today we just don't and shouldn't have the option today to go and burn down the city hall or local council because of their opposition to us. Joshua is describing what God did not what we should do. God is responding to the Canaanites who perish for resisting Him. Those that do respond with acknowledging the greatness of God and are therefore obedience are saved and receive compassion. This shows that there are those in Joshua who receive salvation in the same way we do in the New Testament but through Jesus.
   

   
    

2. God is sovereign. If this is true then he owns everything! As the owner he alone has the authority to decide who may enjoy the use of his property. Therefore the very unappealing truth is that God can do whatever he wishes with what belongs to him – even take human lives. (Perhaps this is why the 'fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom')
   

 

This is only a very brief defence of God and how he acts in Joshua but it does outline some of the major ideas to work though.