Numbers 33:52 Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their high places:
When God gave His people the promised land, He wanted them to get rid of every last hint of wicked worship. They were not to go after other gods. They were to drive out those idol worshippers. They were to destroy all their articles of religion. They were to tear down their temples and places of worship. God wanted to be their only God and their sole focus.
How is it that we think God is harsh when He wants to be the only God in our lives. How come we continually defend our sinful love lives with others. God only wanted what any person wants. He wanted to be the One. He wanted them to not look at, think about, or discuss a false god.
How is your worship? How is your love life towards God? How much do you allow the coexist idea in your heart when God was so adamant against it.