Joshua 11:14Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

We should refrain from viewing actions as cruel, particularly since Joshua spared no one in the captured cities as commanded by the Lord Himself. However, if someone interprets this as evidence of divine cruelty and consequently is reluctant to accept the God of the Old Testament as the one true God, they are misjudging the Lord's actions much like they misinterpret human transgressions. Such individuals presume a place of judgment without understanding that all humanity deserves to endure suffering. They mistakenly perceive great evil when those destined to fall do so, as well as when mortality results in death.