“And I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite: Exodus 33:2 (KJV)”
Meaning and Context:In this verse, God is speaking to Moses, preparing him and the Israelites for their journey to the Promised Land, Canaan. Here, God promises to send an angel ahead of them to clear the way and drive out the inhabitants of Canaan, who were the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. These were the peoples living in the land that God had promised to give to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (the Israelites).
It’s important to understand that the Canaanite tribes mentioned here were known for their idolatry and wickedness, which led to God’s judgment upon them. God, in His sovereignty, decided to use the Israelites as instruments of His judgment to remove these pagan nations from the land.
Verse 3 goes on to say: “Unto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiffnecked people: lest I consume thee in the way.”
Here, God explains that although He will fulfill His promise to give them the Promised Land, He will not personally accompany them on the journey due to their rebellious and stiff-necked nature (referring to their stubborn and disobedient behaviour). Instead, God will send His angel to guide and protect them.
Implications for Today:
- God’s Sovereignty: The verse highlights God’s sovereignty over nations and peoples. He is in control and can use different means to accomplish His purposes. In this case, God uses the Israelites to execute His judgment on the wicked nations inhabiting Canaan.
- God’s Faithfulness: Even though God decides not to go with the Israelites personally, He still keeps His promise to give them the Promised Land. This shows that God remains faithful to His covenant even when dealing with an imperfect and rebellious people.
- Divine Protection: Despite not going with them in person, God assures the Israelites that He will send His angel to guide and protect them. This reinforces the idea that God cares for His people and provides for them, even in challenging times.
- Human Responsibility: The Israelites were given a role to play in fulfilling God’s plan for their lives. They were to obey God’s commands and trust in His guidance to possess the land. Likewise, we have a responsibility to follow God’s Word and trust in His guidance for our lives.
