Thought from today’s Bible reading from Numbers 33-34.
Before crossing over into Canaan, the Lord gave instructions to the Israelites regarding what they were to do with the current inhabitants of the promised land.
“When you cross over the Jordan into the land of Canaan, then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their figured stones, and destroy all their molten images and demolish all their high places; and you shall take possession of the land and live in it, for I have given the land to you to possess it” (Numbers 33:51-53).
“But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it shall come about that those whom you let remain of them will become as pricks in your eyes and as thorns in your sides, and they will trouble you in the land in which you live. And as I plan to do to them, so I will do to you” (Numbers 33:55-56).
The instructions were very simple: drive out the inhabitants of the land. While this would certainly require much effort and sacrifice, the actual command was simple and easy to understand.
God is no respecter of persons (cf. Acts 10:34-35). The reason why He wanted these nations to be driven out of Canaan was not because He just did not like them; it was because they were wicked. This is even suggested by the mention of their molten images and high places.
Though the Israelites were God’s chosen people, He was not going to be with them and help them unconditionally. If they disobeyed His command, allowed the wicked nations to remain among them (despite the trouble they would cause them), and later adopted their sinful practices, they would be guilty before God and would receive the punishment He had previously reserved for these wicked nations.
God’s expectations are much the same today: we must obey Him (Matthew 28:20) and not join with or condone those who practice sin or teach error (Ephesians 5:11). If we disobey and choose peace with God’s enemies, we lose our fellowship with Him (2 John 10-11).
Tomorrow’s reading: Numbers 35-36
[I’m using the Chronological reading plan on the Bible Gateway website if you’d like to follow along, too.]
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