Lessons of Faith from Joshua - Sabbath School Lesson 5 - Tuesday
Dispossession or Annihilation?
Scripture Reading:
Exodus 23:28–30; Exodus 33:2; Exodus 34:11; Numbers 33:52; Deuteronomy 7:20; Exodus 34:13; Deuteronomy 7:5; Deuteronomy 9:3; Deuteronomy 12:2–3; Deuteronomy 31:3–4
Reflection
In the story of Israel’s entrance into Canaan, God’s instructions regarding the conquest reveal a deep moral and spiritual purpose. The texts show that His goal was not blind annihilation but dispossession—removing a deeply corrupt and idolatrous system that had filled the land with moral decay.
In Exodus 23:28–30, God promised to send “hornets” ahead of Israel to drive out the Canaanites little by little, so that the land would not become desolate or overrun by wild beasts. Likewise, Exodus 33:2 and 34:11 emphasize that the Lord Himself would act to dispossess the nations. The purpose was orderly replacement, not random destruction. God’s plan was to cleanse the land of spiritual corruption while preserving its fruitfulness for His people.
However, other passages—like Exodus 34:13, Deuteronomy 7:5, and 12:2–3—call for the destruction of Canaanite altars, sacred pillars, and idols. Here, the annihilation is clearly spiritual and cultural, not racial. God was not waging war against people because of their ethnicity but against the idolatry that enslaved them and defied His holiness. The command to “destroy” referred to the elimination of false worship and everything that perpetuated rebellion against God.
Deuteronomy 9:3 captures this dual theme perfectly: “Understand today that the LORD your God is the One who goes across ahead of you like a devouring fire. He will destroy them; He will subdue them before you.” Yet, the same God also promised mercy and patience, driving them out only as Israel was ready to inherit the land (Exodus 23:30).
The purpose of the conquest, therefore, was purification—the removal of evil so that a holy people could live in covenant relationship with a holy God. The extent of the destruction was moral and spiritual in nature. False worship had to be uprooted completely so that God’s truth could take root in its place.
Personal Application
God still calls each of us to a similar spiritual battle. Within our hearts lies “Canaan”—habits, attitudes, and desires that must be dispossessed. Some things in our lives cannot simply be tolerated or managed; they must be annihilated. Pride, resentment, lust, selfish ambition, gossip, and bitterness cannot coexist with the presence of a holy God.
The Lord often removes these strongholds gradually—little by little—as we grow in obedience and faith. Yet, like Israel, we must cooperate with Him in rooting out every idol that competes for our devotion. The idols of the modern world may not be carved in stone, but they live in our screens, our ambitions, our fears, and our cravings for control.
Ask yourself: What must be dispossessed from my heart so that God can fully reign there? What spiritual altars need to be torn down? The same God who cleansed the land of Canaan longs to cleanse the inner landscape of our souls.
Key Thought:
God’s command to “destroy” was not about human annihilation but spiritual purification. The conquest of Canaan mirrors the inner conquest of the heart—where every idol must fall, and God alone must reign.
Prayer
Righteous Father,
You are the Lord who drives out darkness with light and truth. Just as You called Israel to dispossess the land of false gods, call me to surrender every hidden idol within my heart. Uproot the habits and desires that dishonor You. Give me courage to cooperate with Your cleansing work, and patience to trust Your timing as You transform me little by little. May my life reflect Your holiness and love, until every rival to Your throne is gone.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
More: God Fights for You - Sabbath School Lesson 5 - The Lessons of Faith from Joshua
Sabbath School Quarterly Online: The Lessons of Faith from Joshua
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