Meaning of Deuteronomy 7:1

This verse from Deuteronomy 7:1 introduces a critical juncture in the Israelites' journey, marking their imminent entry into the Promised Land. It sets the stage for a divine directive concerning the inhabitants of that land, whom God describes as seven nations—the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. These nations are explicitly stated to be "larger and stronger" than the Israelites, underscoring the miraculous nature of their impending conquest. The verse serves as both a statement of fact regarding the divine action of dispossessing these peoples and a preamble to the subsequent commands that will govern Israel's interaction with them, highlighting God's sovereign power and His purposeful plan for His people.

Context and Background

Deuteronomy is Moses' final address to the Israelites before they cross the Jordan River into Canaan. Having wandered in the wilderness for forty years, this generation is poised to inherit the land promised to their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The previous book, Numbers, details their wilderness wanderings and the reasons for their prolonged delay, primarily stemming from disobedience and lack of faith. Deuteronomy functions as a covenant renewal, reminding the people of God's faithfulness and reiterating the laws and commandments they must uphold in the land. This verse, therefore, occurs at the precipice of a new era, where God is actively clearing the path for His people to fulfill His promises.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Sovereignty and Power: The verse emphasizes that it is "the Lord your God" who "brings you into the land" and "drives out before you" these nations. This highlights God's active role in the conquest, demonstrating His superior power over any earthly force. The strength of the Canaanite nations is acknowledged, not to instill fear, but to magnify God's ability to overcome them.
• The Promised Land as a Gift: The land is presented as something God is giving them to "possess." While conquest is involved, the ultimate source of the land is God's gracious provision.
• The Challenge of the Task: The description of the seven nations as "larger and stronger" sets up the inherent difficulty of the task ahead. This is not a military campaign that Israel can win through their own might, but one that requires absolute reliance on God.
• The Beginning of Judgment: Implicitly, the expulsion of these nations is an act of divine judgment upon their wickedness, a theme that will be elaborated upon in subsequent verses.

Spiritual Significance and Application

For believers, this verse speaks to God's power to dispossess obstacles and strongholds in our lives. Just as God cleared the path for Israel, He can remove hindrances that prevent us from entering the spiritual blessings He has prepared for us. The "seven nations" can be seen as symbolic of the entrenched sins, negative thought patterns, or worldly influences that seem insurmountable. God's promise is that He will drive them out before us, meaning He goes ahead of us, enabling us to overcome what we could not on our own. It calls for faith and obedience, trusting that God's power is sufficient to conquer the "stronger" forces that oppose our spiritual progress.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This event is a pivotal moment in salvation history. The conquest of Canaan is a fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham in Genesis 15:18-21, where He outlines the boundaries of the land and the eventual expulsion of its inhabitants. It also sets the stage for Israel's establishment as a nation under God's rule, a precursor to the Davidic monarchy and ultimately, the coming of the Messiah. The subsequent judgment upon the Canaanites for their abominable practices (as detailed in Leviticus 18:24-30) foreshadows God's ultimate judgment on sin and rebellion throughout history.

Analogies

Consider a seasoned general leading an army into a heavily fortified enemy territory. The general knows the enemy is well-entrenched and formidable, but the general also possesses superior intelligence, advanced strategies, and the unwavering loyalty of their troops. In this analogy, God is the ultimate General, the Israelites are the army, and the Canaanite nations represent the formidable defenses. God's "driving out" signifies His strategic dismantling of the enemy's strength and fortifications, making the conquest possible for His people.

Another analogy is that of a gardener clearing thorny, invasive weeds that choke out precious plants. The weeds may be deeply rooted and seem overwhelming, but the gardener's skilled hand, with the right tools and understanding of the soil, systematically removes them to allow the desired flora to flourish. God's action here is akin to this careful, purposeful clearing, preparing the ground for His people to thrive.

Relation to Other Verses

• Genesis 15:18-21: This passage in Genesis establishes God's promise of the land and mentions the inhabitants that would be dispossessed. Deuteronomy 7:1 directly references and enacts this promise.
• Leviticus 18:24-30 and 20:23: These Levitical passages explain why God is driving out the Canaanites, detailing their detestable practices that defiled the land. This provides the ethical and theological justification for their removal.
• Joshua 1:1-9: The book of Joshua picks up where Deuteronomy leaves off, detailing the actual conquest. God repeatedly assures Joshua of His presence and power to grant victory, echoing the promises made in Deuteronomy.
• Exodus 34:11-16: This passage from the covenant at Sinai warns Israel against making covenants with the inhabitants of Canaan and engaging in their idolatrous practices, directly linking to the commands that follow Deuteronomy 7:1.