Wickedness of Canaan

Choice 1: Deuteronomy 2-3, 7, 9, 20, 25. Israel Commanded to Destroy the Wicked

1. Read Deuteronomy 20:17 and make a list of the different nations the Lord identified in these verses. Then read Deuteronomy 2:15, 7:2, 12:2-3, and write a paragraph about what the Lord commanded Israel to do with these nations.

The Lord commanded them to destroy the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and the Jebusites.

The Lord commanded Israel to destroy these people “from among the host, until they were consumed.” (Deut. 2:15)  The Lord also commands them to “smite them, and utterly destroy them;”, not to make a covenant with them or “shew mercy unto them” (Deut. 7:2).  The Lord further instructs Israel to destroy all of the religious locations of the nations they possess, whether these locations be on a high mountain or under a tree.  This included their altars, pillars, groves, graven images and the names of the gods.  

I think the Lord was showing that he was a jealous God, and that he wanted no other gods before him.  I think by having his chosen people destroy those who were worshiping other gods, He was showcasing his own might.

1. Read Deuteronomy 9:4-5 and the Institute Student Manual commentary for Deuteronomy 7:1-5, “Why Did the Lord Command the Israelites to Utterly Destroy the Canaanites?” (pg. 219). Add to your previous paragraph any other reasons why these nations were destroyed.

The Lord is destroying these other nations because of their wickedness.  Interestingly, the Lord says that these nations are not being destroyed because of the Israelite righteousness, but rather the nations’ wickedness. The Lord was giving the Israelites these lands because of promises He had made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  In the end the Lord was slaying the wicked to promote his righteous purposes.  If the wicked were allowed to be, they may attempt to thwart the ways of the Lord.  The Student Manual states that the Canaanite wickedness was “full” or complete and that is why they were spared mercy.

1. Many of the sins found among the people living in Canaan are prevalent in today’s society. Write a paragraph explaining how you think we can protect ourselves from these sins.

The Canaanites were caught up in much wickedness.  Their main source of wickedness was their idolatrous behavior.  The Lord has said, and it is a commandment, thou shalt have no other gods before me.  In our day their are many forms of idolatry.  The worship of celebrities, the worship of reality TV, social media worship, the church of the NFL and so forth.  Interestingly the Canaanite wickedness was said to threaten the the spiritual existence of a future nation.  What we do now, where we spend our time, where we put our heart is going to be taught either through word or action to our rising generation, and they will stumble and fall if we have not built the correct foundation for them.  I think we can protect ourselves from these sins by adhering to the word of God.  The teachings of the Gospel are the only way to truly and fully avoid the pitfalls of this life.