(The view expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)
Deuteronomy 9:1–6, “Hear, O Israel: Thou art to pass over Jordan this day, to go in to possess nations greater and mightier than thyself, cities great and fenced up to heaven, A people great and tall, the children of the Anakims, whom thou knowest, and of whom thou hast heard say, Who can stand before the children of Anak! Understand therefore this day, that the LORD thy God is he which goeth over before thee; as a consuming fire he shall destroy them, and he shall bring them down before thy face: so shalt thou drive them out, and destroy them quickly, as the LORD hath said unto thee. Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the LORD thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD doth drive them out from before thee. Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that he may perform the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Understand therefore, that the LORD thy God giveth thee not this good land to possess it for thy righteousness; for thou art a stiffnecked people.”
The Lord was still careful to make sure that Israel understood what they were doing. All the explanations about the contract were carefully explained and agreed to before they crossed the River Jordan. These days there is often a “cooling off” period before a contract can be finalised so that the parties can have time to think about everything they have agreed to. Israel were reminded many times that the agreement would come into force when they crossed the Jordan. The Lord was also careful to make sure they understood that they would never be able to take possession of the Land without His intervention. While the Israelis had been serving as slaves in Egypt these nations had been successfully defending themselves from their enemies and prospering in their region. The Lord also reminded them that some of these people were giants. Most people who have to fight against giants are afraid but Israel would face the giants in the Lord’s Name. The first time they had an opportunity to enter the Land they refused to attack the giants but the giants were still there. However, the Lord was not forcing Israel into a situation where defeat was inevitable. They were promised the Land the Lord would give them the Land in spite of the giants. The Lord is the greatest warrior in history and He is not afraid of any foe. These people were fighting against the Lord Himself and not just the Israeli armies. The Lord would give them the victory and they should never boast about something that the Lord had done for them.
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