“When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou.”
Historical Context: Deuteronomy is part of the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible attributed to Moses. It is set during the time when the Israelites were on the verge of entering the Promised Land, after their wandering in the wilderness for forty years.
Possessing the Promised Land: God promised to give the land of Canaan to the descendants of Abraham as their inheritance (Genesis 15:18-21). In Deuteronomy 7:1, Moses addresses the Israelites, reminding them that God would bring them into the land to possess it. This verse marks the beginning of God’s instruction regarding the conquest of Canaan.
Divine Intervention: The verse states that God would cast out many nations before the Israelites. It lists seven specific nations: the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. These nations inhabited the land of Canaan at the time, and they were greater and mightier than the Israelites.
Symbolic Meaning: The seven nations mentioned in Deuteronomy 7:1 represent the complete or whole of the nations inhabiting the land. Symbolically, they can also represent the spiritual enemies or obstacles that believers face when they seek to possess the promises of God in their lives.
Faith and Trust in God: Despite the strength and might of the seven nations, God assured the Israelites of victory because He would go before them. The conquest of Canaan was not to be accomplished by the strength of the Israelites alone, but by their faith and trust in God’s power and faithfulness.
Spiritual Application: For Christians today, Deuteronomy 7:1 reminds us of the need to trust in God’s promises and rely on His strength to overcome obstacles in our lives. It serves as a reminder that we are engaged in a spiritual battle (Ephesians 6:12) and that with God’s guidance and empowerment, we can be victorious.
God’s Faithfulness: Throughout the Bible, we see God fulfilling His promises to the Israelites. He gave them victory over the nations in Canaan and allowed them to possess the Promised Land. This demonstrates God’s faithfulness to His people, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.
In summary, Deuteronomy 7:1 speaks of God’s promise to bring the Israelites into the land of Canaan and His assurance of victory over the nations inhabiting the land. It teaches us about the importance of faith, trust, and reliance on God’s power in overcoming obstacles in our lives.
