Deuteronomy 7 Commentary
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The instruction to totally destroy ‘Canaanite peoples’ may sound strange. But if you have taken the journey through Exodus and Numbers you discover that the LORD did the same to sinful Israel. The 600,000 men at the start of the journey were not the same as the 600,000 that ended the journey. All of them fell in the wilderness except for Joshua and Caleb, in an act of punishment.
It’s a point that emphasizes the original declaration that man died when he sinned. The physical death being referred to here is representative of separation from God. When that happens, is there a need for one to live in the physical? The LORD says no. But today by grace we understand our continued existence as yet another chance to find life in Christ Jesus.
Moses references God’s universal name as he encourages Israel to remain faithful. It’s that special combination again – justice and compassion combined. How these combine in one is a mystery fully unpacked by the cross but still too complicated for human consumption. We do well to pray for the grace of understanding.
While this chapter encourages faithfulness, it also unearths the key concept of salvation. Yes, it is a choice we make because of the LORD’S compassion in being the first to show us love, regardless. The reality of the LORD’S compassion is easily reflected in the saint’s daily walk with the LORD. Many would agree to having received many blessings they did not earn. This is generosity.
There is still out there a life that the LORD hates. The saint is reminded here to have the same attitude. Hate sin. Resist it. Run away from it. There are places the saint should never go to. There are items of fashion that the saint should never buy and let alone wear. There are choices the saint should never make. Deuteronomy is speaking to us today in a language that we very well understand.
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