The Seven Nations of Canaan

Conclusion (Heart Message)

�Take the Land Little by Little�

"When the LORD your God brings you into the land where you are entering to possess it, and clears away many nations before you, the Hittites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Canaanites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and stronger than you," (Deuteronomy 7:1)

The judgment of the nations of Canaan was a milestone in the fulfillment of God�s covenant to Abraham & Sarah, it is central to the establishment of the nation of Israel, the chosen people of God. The promise of a �nation of descendants� to the childless old man & woman, reflects the faith nature of God, who asks for trust in Himself and His character, before any proof is given. Though the obstacles are much bigger than us, and remaining permanently beyond what we can grasp for ourselves, God offers His Word as the only proof, and by trusting, miraculous results follow, and we change. Abraham �believed God� and righteousness was given him as a free gift. (Gen. 15:6)

In Abraham�s time, God spoke of the Amorites, one of the seven nations, who were even then in pursuit of evil, and He gave them 400 more years before His judgment would come. 

"Then in the fourth generation they will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet complete." (Gen 15:16)

But over that time, their wickedness increased from generation to generation. Can you imagine the presence and power of Satan imbedded and contagiously spreading through the doorway nations of Canaan? Can you imagine darkness so expansive through a culture, that the people who carry God�s plan of redemption were at risk of being overwhelmed and destroyed? These Canaanite nations were offering up their live babies as burnt offerings to the demonic false gods they worshipped. After 400 years, the evil was complete; the dominance of darkness deep-rooted, wide-spread, and in control. God�s judgment was also full and complete. The Lord said of them:

�Even the land itself became polluted and I punished it for its iniquities--the land vomited up its inhabitants." (Lev. 18:25)

God rose up in defense of His plan to redeem mankind, and to rid the earth of Satan�s effort to prevent it. He took His land, which He created, back. He gave it to His redemptive people. But for His plan to work, Israel would have to co-labor with Him, and by faith, would have to fight for it, inch by bloody inch. 

The conquest of the Promised Land is a type or �symbolic template� of all the promises of God for believers in Christ. Their promised land was physical; our promised land is spiritual. Their battle was against seven demon possessed nations that had to be conquered, �little by little�. 

"The LORD your God will clear away these nations before you little by little; you will not be able to put an end to them quickly, for the wild beasts would grow too numerous for you." (Deuteronomy 7:22)

"I will drive them out before you little by little, until you become fruitful and take possession of the land." 

Our battle is against the demonic powers that stand in the way of our promises being fulfilled. Our promised land, is our own nature, much of it, still occupied territory, unsanctified by the transforming power of God�s Holy Spirit. Our promised land are the sheep of God yet to be brought into the fold. Our promised land is ultimately heaven. We place one foot in front of the other, trusting God for His mercy and strength to persevere, we �suit up and show up, we will, like Joshua and Caleb, be among those who inherit promises, one by one, step by step, inch by bloody inch, and little by little. And there is no deeper joy, than inheriting the land God promised you, by faith.

God is able and willing, to help us overcome those problems that are �greater and stronger� than we. (Deut. 7:1) Let�s trust Him walk forward, and little by little, together with God, we will overcome.