Deuteronomy 7

Intro:

We are just a few days away from Spring

With that comes spring cleaning

As the days get longer and the temps warm up we will feel like we have more energy

This will prompt you to feel the need to eliminate some of the excess

You will look around your house and see things that need deep cleaning and stuff the needs to be donated

The problem with Spring cleaning is that you can’t do it halfway

Once you get into there is no turning back

You dread every moment of it and think its never going to be done but eventually you finish

When it is all said and done you are glad you did it

God is telling the people through Moses that once they enter the promised land there is going to be some spring cleaning done

The previous nations will need to be eliminated

Mose goes over the plans to get Israel ready for God’s promises

Read Deut 7:1-5

I. Deal with the Nations vs. 1-5

vs. 1 Brought into the Land

The key to this whole chapter is the first six words “When the Lord your God brings”

Moses wants the people to know that God is the one doing the work

He is giving the land, eliminating the people, and keeping his Covenant

He is going to clear away 7 nations more numerous and mightier than Israel

One of the reasons we don’t see God’s promises fulfilled in our life is because we want God to bless what we are doing and we don’t want to walk thru the doors He opens

vs. 2 Devote them to Destruction

God is going to give over the people of the land

He is going to defeat them

Once God does that Israel was to devote them to destruction

This isn’t the first time they’ve heard this.

In fact it’s the fourth

Ex 22:20 Whoever sacrifices to any god, other than the Lord alone, shall be devoted to destruction.

God wouldn’t stand for anyone in his anointed land to worship any other god

Some have used this verse for ethnic cleansing or genocide

That is not what God is talking about here

Part of this is God’s judgment on the nations and the other is protecting His people from idolatry

God also knew that the other nations would try to make a treaty or covenant with Israel so He warns them against this

Show no mercy

This doesn’t sound like a loving God but it is an example of how to deal with sin in our hearts

Too many Christians dabble in their sin while trying to live a holy life

We need to devote the sin in our hearts to destruction and not make any treaties with the world

vs. 3-4 Don’t Intermarry

God also forbids intermarriage with these countries

Don’t give your sons to them or take their daughters

This is not justification for restricting intermarriage between races

The reason for this is that they will turn them away from following God

If this happened God would act quickly to destroy them

Of course, Israel didn’t listen

When Nehemiah was building the wall he discovered that a good portion of the Jews were married to neighboring nations

They had to go through a separation

vs. 5 Break Down Their Altars

The final bit of cleaning will be breaking down their altars

As they destroy the nations they have to make sure they tear down the ashterath poles

These foreign gods would distract Israel and compete for their affection

II. You are Holy to the Lord vs. 6-11

vs. 6 Treasured Possession

Why is God so adamant about Israel cleaning house?

First, they are a holy people

God chose them to be a treasured possession out of all the peoples

Think about that for just a second

Israel is God’s chosen people

As we read Romans 11 we are wild olive branches grafted in

Thus we are a holy people treasured by God

Do you look at yourself as God’s treasured possession

He has set His love on you

vs. 7-8 Not More Important

Before you get too puffed up

It’s not because you were special

They were the smallest of all peoples

God loves the underdog

He chose you because he loves you

This is why he brought Israel out of slavery

While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us

vs. 9-10 God Keeps His Covenant & Love

Therefore, know that God is the true God

He will keep his covenant and steadfast love with those who keep his commandments

III. Blessings of Keeping the Covenant vs. 12-16

vs. 12 Because You Listen

vs. 13 Love, Bless, & Multiply

vs. 14 Blessed above all Peoples

vs. 15-16 Take Away Sickness

IV. Do Not Fear the Enemy vs. 17-26

vs. 17 Nations greater

vs. 18-19 Remember What God Did

vs. 20-24 The Lord in Your Midst

vs. 25-26 Keep Your House Clean