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Deuteronomy 7:1-5

This section opens with the word “when.”  Moses spoke God’s words to the people about what He would accomplish.  Then “when” it was done, they had responsibilities to maintain their loyalty to Yahweh.

The seven nations the Lord would deliver over to them were greater and mightier.  The Lord would deliver them into their hand, then they were to utterly destroy them.  This “utterly destroy” is the word “cherem” we’ve seen previously.  This is the designation of something or someone being sacred property.  They were to treat the enemy as though they were a sacrifice to God.  They were God’s property and not eligible for a relationship with the children of Israel.

They were on a divine mission with Yahweh commanding them.  This was His war, He was making the decisions.  The children of Israel were not given the option of mercy or compassion towards these people.  They were set apart like a burnt offering or plunder designated for God. 

The utter destruction was critical because the Lord knew His children would otherwise be poisoned by their idolatry, apostasy, and morality.  Sudden destruction would be their judgment if they weren’t faithful to the Lord.

They were to destroy the Canaanite altars, central to their pagan worship.  The sacred stones or pillars were “masseboth.”  The Canaanites carved images into the stones.  They believed their god inhabited the stone.  There is an association of these stones with Asherah and Baal.

The wooden images were Asherah symbols.  These were wooden images or images carved in trees by their altar.  There is some evidence that early Israel associated Asherah with Yahweh as a divine couple.  How in the world could this could happen?  They blended pagan worship with the worship of Yahweh.

Deuteronomy 7:6-8

Israel was chosen by God as a holy people.  Being “holy” is to be called to serve God.

I know, I know. We are Your chosen people. But, once in a while, can't You choose someone else?  (Tevye, Fiddler on the Roof)

This may reflect their attitude well.  Moses said they were set apart for the Lord, beginning with Abraham.  The covenant promise was delivered to Him and believed.  God is faithful to fulfill that promise.  This passage speaks of loyalty, commitment, love, and obedience. 

Israel was a special treasure; not because of any merit they brought.  They were special because God deemed them His own.  They were chosen above all the other peoples of the earth. 

Deuteronomy 7:9-11

Faith and obedience are so closely tied together.  The Israelites were to know that Yahweh is God.  He keeps His covenant.  His “mercy” means loyal love.  His love is unfailing, loyal, and perfect.  It will extend throughout the generations, across time, to those who love Him and keep His commandments.   This exhortation was given to the Jews.  There was no excuse for them not to know God and love Him.  It was like calling God a liar and denying their heritage.  It was ignoring the fact they existed because God brought them out of bondage. 

To not keep His commandments was likened to hatred, at which they would be repaid for their hatred.  He will deal with them face to face.

Deuteronomy 7:12-16

God’s “chesed” which is the “loyal love” of His covenant would play out as love and blessing.  He would multiply them, their crops, flocks, and vineyards.  They would be blessed beyond all peoples.  There would be no barrenness among them; of the people or animals.  They would be saved from sickness and guarded from the diseases they brought from bondage in Egypt.

God warned over and over that the foreign gods in the land would be a snare to them.  They were like a trap that was set and the unsuspecting or unguarded would wander into them and become ensnared.

Deuteronomy 7:17-26

Fighting fear would be a big part of conquering the land.  Hearing and believing God’s promises would go a long way in alleviating that fear.  We can know there were a great many people who were afraid.  To everyone, God said to remember what they’d been through.  They could remember Egypt was a superpower and God brought them to their knees.  It didn’t rely on greater numbers or greater weapons.  It took only faith. 

One of God’s identifying traits is His mighty hand and outstretched arm.  When Moses didn’t understand how the Lord could provide meat for His people, the Lord said:

 And the Lord said to Moses, “Has the Lord’s arm been shortened? (Numbers 11:21)

Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened,

That it cannot save;

Nor His ear heavy,

That it cannot hear. (Isaiah 58:1)

God will treat these nations on His land like He did Pharaoh. 

The sending of hornets is thought to be a metaphor for an army.  Yet, I don’t see any reason not to take it literally.  The hornets would go where people can’t.  They would be like the drones of that day.  They would hunt down the hidden and drive them out.  Others see the hornets as wordplay for Egypt. 

They were not to be terrified, for God was great and awesome, and He would drive them out.  He characterizes it as little by little here. If all were instantly driven out, Israel would be overwhelmed with the flocks and herds they inherited.  In 9:3, He promises to drive them out quickly.  This reference in 9:3 might be more focused on the giants in the land.  They would surely be a great source of fear.

They would be destroyed and their name removed from under heaven.  The Lord again reminds them to burn the carved images of idolatry.  They weren’t to get captured by the sight of gold or silver.  This is a reference to the gold and silver covering their idols.  They weren’t to take those things.  They were a snare. 

The “utterly detest” and “utterly abhor” are two sets of repeated words. The two words have almost the same meaning.  The first is more of an emotional response to the detestable things.  The second is a physical, calculated hatred.

©2007, 2023 Doug Ford, Calvary Chapel Sweetwater