Question 1

What blessings does God promise Israel in this passage if they obey Him?

Accepted Answer

God promises to keep His covenant and mercy that He swore to their fathers. He says He will love them, bless them, and multiply them. This includes blessing their children, their crops, their wine and oil, and their herds and flocks. They will be blessed above other peoples, with no barren men, women, or livestock among them. God also promises to take away sickness from them and not put on them the painful diseases they knew in Egypt, but instead lay those on those who hate them.

Question 2

Why does God tell Israel not to fear the nations that are more than they are?

Accepted Answer

God knows the people will look at the size and strength of the nations in the land and feel afraid. He tells them not to fear, but to remember what He did to Pharaoh and all Egypt. Their own eyes had seen the signs, wonders, and mighty acts by which God brought them out. On that basis, God says He will do the same kind of powerful work against the peoples they fear. He reminds them that He is among them as a mighty and fearsome God, so they do not need to be terrified.

Question 3

What does it mean that God will send the "hornet" among Israel’s enemies?

Accepted Answer

The “hornet” points to very small but harmful creatures that God would use against the Canaanites. The idea is that God is not limited to big armies or human strength. He can send even insects or other small agents to chase, weaken, and destroy those who try to hide from Israel. This shows that no one can escape His judgment, even if they run into caves or secret places. It is another way God promises that He Himself will fight for His people and finish what He started.

Question 4

Why does God drive out the nations "by little and little" instead of all at once?

Accepted Answer

God explains that He will not let Israel consume the nations all at once, even though He is giving them complete victory. If the land were emptied too quickly, wild animals would grow in number and become a danger. By driving the nations out little by little, God protects Israel from a different kind of trouble. This gradual process also teaches them to trust God over time, not just in one moment, and shows that His timing takes their long-term good into account.

Question 5

Why is Israel commanded to show no pity and destroy the Canaanite peoples?

Accepted Answer

This part can feel very hard to read. The passage itself gives the reason: if the Canaanites remain, Israel will be tempted to serve their gods, and that will be a deadly trap. God had already judged these nations for long-standing sin, and now also wants the land where His name will be honored to be cleared of idols and their practices. Israel is told not to mix mercy with disobedience here, because sparing the people would lead them toward false worship and away from God.

Question 6

What does this passage teach about idolatry and "graven images"?

Accepted Answer

God commands Israel to burn the carved images of the Canaanite gods with fire. They are not to desire the gold or silver on them or take it for themselves. The idols and even their decorations are called an abomination, something God hates. Bringing such things into the house would bring a curse instead of blessing. Israel is told to detest and abhor them. The point is that anything tied to false worship is spiritually dangerous, and God’s people must keep far away from it.

Question 7

Why is Israel warned not to take the gold or silver from the idols?

Accepted Answer

At first, the gold and silver might seem harmless or useful. But God warns that wanting or taking this wealth will become a snare, a trap that pulls them toward idolatry. These metals had been used in worship of false gods and are treated as cursed in that setting. If Israel brought them home, they might be tempted to keep the images, honor them, or at least treat them as special. God guards their hearts by telling them to destroy it all, so they are not drawn away from Him.

Question 8

What does this passage show about God’s character toward His people?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows God as faithful, generous, and strong. He keeps the covenant and mercy He promised to their fathers. He delights to bless His people with fruitfulness, health, and safety. At the same time, He is holy and does not share His glory with idols. He is present among His people as a mighty and fearsome God, able to judge enemies and protect those who trust Him. His commands, even the hard ones, flow from His desire to keep them close to Himself and free from snares.

Question 9

How can someone today apply the warnings about idols and abominations?

Accepted Answer

While most people today do not bow to carved statues, the passage warns about anything that takes God’s place in the heart. The people were told not even to bring idol objects into their homes, because they would become a snare. In a similar way, a person today can think about what pulls their trust, love, or time away from God. The call is to treat those things seriously, not play with them, and to remove what keeps the heart from worshiping God with a clean conscience.

Deuteronomy 7:12

¶ Wherefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgments, and keep, and do them, that the Lord thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which he sware unto thy fathers:

The Promises of God

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Deuteronomy 7:12

¶ Wherefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgments, and keep, and do them, that the Lord thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which he sware unto thy fathers:

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The Promises of God

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