SCRIPTURE: DEUTERONOMY 7
BIBLE VERSES:
“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. But those who hate him he will repay to their face by destruction; he will not be slow to repay to their face those who hate him.” (Deuteronomy 7:9-10)
“Do not be terrified by them, for the Lord your God, who is among you, is a great and awesome God.” (Deuteronomy 7:21)
“The images of their gods you are to burn in the fire. Do not covet the silver and gold on them, and do not take it for yourselves, or you will be ensnared by it, for it is detestable to the Lord your God. Do not bring a detestable thing into your house or you, like it, will be set apart for destruction. Regard it as vile and utterly detest it, for it is set apart for destruction.” (Deuteronomy 7:25-26)
DRIVING OUT THE NATIONS (vs. 1-26)
After the Israelites had defeated the nations of Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizites, Hivites and Jebusites, here are the commands and decrees of the Lord:
- Destroy them totally (v. 2a)
- Make no treaty with them (v. 2b)
- Show them no mercy (v. 2c)
- Do not intermarry with them (v. 3)
- Break down their altars, smack their sacred stones, cut down their Asherah poles and burn their idols in the fire. (v. 5)
- Do not look on them withy pity and do not serve their gods. (v. 16)
- Burn down the images of their gods in fire. Do not covet the silver and gold on them and do not take it for yourselves (v. 25)
- Do not bring a detestable thing into your house (v. 26)
BENEFITS OF FOLLOWING HIS COMMANDS:
- He will love you and bless you and increase your number. (v. 13a)
- He will bless the fruit of your womb and the crop of your land. (v. 13b)
- You will be blessed more than any other people (v. 14a)
- None of your men or women will be childless nor any of your livestock without young. (v. 14b)
- The Lord will keep you from disease (v. 15)
THOUGHTS:
Why did God told the israelites to destroy their enemies totally if He is a God of love and mercy? God is loving and merciful but He is also just. God does not allow evil to continue unchecked. The command to destroy the nations was both a judgment and a safety measure. He wanted to judge the wicked nations and protect the nation of Israel from being ruined by the idolatry and immorality of the enemies.
God chose Israel to be His chosen people not because of their merit but of keeping His promise to the ancestors. Similarly, it is not because of our merit that we come to faith in Christ but out of His goodness and grace.
Moses warned Israel against desiring the silver or gold on the idols. Never come too close to sin because it can hurt us as we become attracted and finally give in. The only sure way is to stay away from sin.