Deuteronomy 20:17

“But thou shalt utterly destroy them; namely, the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee.”

Deuteronomy is part of the Old Testament, specifically one of the books of the Torah, which contains the laws and instructions given by God to the Israelites through Moses. In this verse, we find a command given to the Israelites concerning the conquest of the Promised Land.

Historical Context:Deuteronomy is set at a time when the Israelites were on the brink of entering the land of Canaan, the land promised to their forefathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Moses, their leader, was about to die, and he gave them these final instructions and reminders from God.

The Command: In Deuteronomy 20:17, God commands the Israelites to “utterly destroy” several nations that were living in Canaan. The nations listed are the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. The Israelites were to completely eliminate these nations, leaving no survivors.

Purpose and Explanation: The command to destroy these nations may seem harsh and difficult to reconcile with our understanding of God’s character. However, it’s essential to understand the historical and theological context of the passage.

Purification of the Land: God wanted to purify the land of Canaan, removing the influence of these nations and their idolatrous practices. The Canaanite nations were deeply entrenched in idol worship, including child sacrifice and other detestable practices. God desired to establish a righteous and holy nation in the Promised Land.

Preventing Corruption: Allowing these nations to remain in the land would have posed a significant spiritual danger to the Israelites. God knew that if the Israelites intermingled with these idolatrous nations, they would be led astray and corrupted by their practices. By removing these nations, God sought to protect the Israelites from spiritual and moral corruption.

Fulfilled Promise: The command to destroy these nations was also a fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham. In Genesis 15:16, God revealed to Abraham that his descendants would possess the land of Canaan but only after the iniquity of the Amorites was complete. God used the Israelites as instruments of judgment to carry out His plan.

Application and Lessons: While this command was specific to the Israelites at that time, there are several lessons we can draw from this passage today:

• God’s Holiness and Judgment: The passage reminds us of God’s holiness and His judgment against sin. It serves as a reminder that God will not tolerate persistent rebellion and idolatry.
• Separation from Sin: Just as the Israelites were commanded to separate from the idolatrous nations, believers are called to separate from the sinful practices and influences of the world. We are called to be a holy people, set apart for God’s purposes.
• God’s Faithfulness: Despite the severity of this command, it also demonstrates God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. God fulfilled His promise to give the land of Canaan to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, establishing a nation through which the Messiah would eventually come.
• God’s Sovereignty: The command shows God’s sovereignty over nations and His right to execute judgment. It reminds us that God’s ways are higher than our ways, and we must trust in His wisdom and justice.

It’s important to note that the New Testament reveals God’s ultimate plan of salvation through Jesus Christ, which is available to all people regardless of their national or ethnic background. The conquest of Canaan was a unique event in redemptive history and should not be understood as a general command for believers today.

As with any biblical study, it’s valuable to read the surrounding passages, consult commentaries, and seek guidance from trusted spiritual leaders to gain a deeper understanding of the context and theological implications of the verse.