We are obliged to do what we can to learn the Hebrew outlook in reading the Bible. While there is plenty of Scripture that remains a matter of debate, some things are quite clear.
The Law of Moses mentions Gentiles living among the people of Israel. We know that the nation of Israel was an eastern feudal-tribal society. Given that, what would be required of these Gentiles? The record is clear: They adhered to the Law of Noah. These Gentiles were feudal dependents, tolerated on the grounds that they agreed to live by the Code of Noah.
This also applied to any group of people who surrendered in battle. Once they laid down their weapons, they were subjected to the Code of Noah as terms of surrender. Thus, we have several tribes living under King David — Jebusites, for example — whose property rights were guarded by the king. David paid a hefty cash sum to the Jebusite Arauna/Ornan for a threshing floor on the ridge above what was then David’s fortress. It was later the site of the Temple.
Further, King David had no trouble feeding a starving Egyptian slave left behind by a fleeing enemy. This slave was treated well simply on the basis of a provisional surrender. He was hardly a threat, and wholly without inclination to cause David any trouble (1 Samuel 30:7-17).
The difference between Moses and Noah made these observant Gentiles second-class residents. They were not granted all same privileges. Nonetheless, in regard to general treatment, Israelis were required to treat these observant Gentiles with a measure of respect as allies. This is reflected in Leviticus 19, among other passages.
It’s a general discussion of what is necessary to keep peace with Jehovah. This passage seeks to instill a sense of honor and high social trust. When you get to verses 33 and following, you can read a very blunt requirement that observant Gentiles be included in this social structure. Don’t harass them; don’t treat them as captive enemies.
It’s a fundamental principle of divine revelation: We are supposed to seek peaceful coexistence. There are plenty of people who are threats, and the Bible is loaded with rules on handling them. But it shouldn’t require a lot of complicated instructions for someone who is not your enemy.
When Palestinian women, children and old people surrender and queue up at feeding sites, they are not Israel’s enemies. There is no excuse for what the IDF is doing today in Gaza.
As a part of the narrative interview with an America military retiree who worked in Gaza, the man recounted an order from the on-site IDF commander for snipers to shoot children who had been placed atop a wall to keep them from getting crushed by the desperate crowd jostling in line for food. This was consistent with the obvious design of the whole program to lure starving Gazans to the feeding sites precisely so they could be slaughtered.
The US government claims Israel as an ally. Given that Israel is so clearly defying God and serving Satan, does that make the US allies with Hell?
