ISRAEL were now told they had a solemn duty to perform when they entered the land. They were to utterly destroy the “seven nations” of Canaan, a people whose iniquity was now come to the full. This was not so in the days of Abraham (Gen. 15), but now the land was spewing them out for their abominations.
God might have employed other means to rid the land of them, such as plagues or famine, or other enemies, and this He might have done before Israel took possession. But He would use His people as the executors of His judgment on those guilty nations.
Before God the Canaanites stood for the worst wickedness, and Israel would learn in carrying out the Lord’s command to annihilate them the holiness of His nature and what sin is before Him. Furthermore, they were warned that if they followed these nations in their sin, they themselves would suffer the same awful judgment.
Hundreds of years before the curse had been pronounced upon these Canaanites because of their wickedness, but the moral reason given here is that the Lord is guarding His people from idolatry. Intercourse with these nations would certainly lead to it, for what things the Gentiles, or nations, sacrifice, they sacrifice unto demons (1 Cor. 10:2020But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. (1 Corinthians 10:20)).
The gods of the Canaanites were the expression of their lusts and abominations so abhorrent to God, and Israel were not to trifle with this evil or make a league of any kind with those connected with it. They must be faithful to the Lord who had set His love upon them and had redeemed them to Himself. They were a “holy people,” a “chosen people, and a “special people” unto the Lord (v. 6). The Lord loved them because He chose to do so; He would also remember His word and the promise to their fathers (vv. 7,8). Surely these motives ought to act powerfully on their hearts and move them to ready and loving obedience to Himself! They would know Him as the true and faithful God — faithful in holy judgment as in loving mercy.
Israel were not to make marriages with the people of the land, for they would then be led astray by the idolatrous wife or husband, who had no heart for the God of Israel. Surely all this is a warning for us who are so inclined to make compromises with the world, as well as for Christian young people who contemplate marriage.
Dear young friends, true devotion to Christ calls for separation unto Him who loves us and has redeemed us by His blood. Furthermore this loyalty to Him will keep us from having anything to do with the world, its worship and its ways. Like Israel, we are warned against idolatry. “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” 1 John 5:2121Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. (1 John 5:21). Let us not allow anything to come between us and our blessed Saviour who is soon coming to call us home.
ML-12/29/1974