Num. 33:52-53 “Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their high places: And ye shall dispossess the inhabitants of the land, and dwell therein: for I have given you the land to possess it.”
"Annihilate the enemy"
This was the distinct command of God to a people whom He had wondrously led and prepared, by delivering them from Egypt's slavery, and disciplining them for forty years in the wilderness. They were now to come into the possession of the land which He had appointed to them. They were His people and the purpose of their coming into that land was that of the manifestation of Himself, and that of the carrying out of His program. While their possession was to be in order to the preservation of the nation until the Deliverer of all the nations should come, it was in the first place in order to the cleansing of that land from a people utterly polluted and corrupt. It was necessary that the latter should be utterly dispossessed, and every trace of their worship swept away, wherever found. This charge was accompanied by warnings, uttered in simple terms, and yet of the most solemn nature. No false pity or selfish motive was to operate in such fashion as to leave any corrupting influence behind. The unequivocal command to drive out all was based upon the tenderest regard of God for the well-being of the chosen people, and through them, the whole race (Gentiles-Gen. 12:1). To tolerate what God has condemned to destruction is to retain what in itself will prove to be a source of continual difficulty and suffering. Israel is figuring that out today as they have enemies on every side. The most solemn words of all are those with which the chapter ends: "And it shall come to pass, that as I thought to do unto them, so will I do unto you." God's elections to blessing are dependent upon obedience to His will. He will arrive a 2nd time for judgment and the job will be perfectly executed as He commanded them at the outset.
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