The Canaanites’ Iniquity and God’s Justice

Lessons of Faith from Joshua - Sabbath School Lesson 5 -  Sunday

The Canaanites’ Iniquity and God’s Justice

Scripture Reading:
Genesis 15:16; Leviticus 18:24–30; Deuteronomy 18:9–14; Ezra 9:11

When God promised Abraham that his descendants would inherit the land of Canaan, He added a curious condition: “for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full” (Genesis 15:16). God was patient—giving the Canaanites hundreds of years to change their ways. Yet by the time Israel stood on the edge of the Promised Land, the measure of Canaan’s wickedness had overflowed. Their practices—child sacrifice, witchcraft, ritual prostitution, and every form of moral corruption (Leviticus 18:24–30; Deuteronomy 18:9–14)—had defiled the land itself. Ezra 9:11 echoes this, describing Canaan as “a land polluted with the corruption of its peoples.”

God’s purpose in giving Canaan to Israel was not arbitrary conquest—it was judgment on persistent, unrepentant evil. The Canaanites were not judged simply because they were Canaanites, but because of their unrelenting sin. God’s heart is always to save, not to destroy (Ezekiel 33:11). Yet, when people reject His mercy again and again, they bring judgment upon themselves. The story of the Canaanites reminds us that God’s justice is never divorced from His patience and grace.

In the same way today, God calls every person to turn from sin to life in Christ. The difference between destruction and salvation rests not in where we come from, but in the choices we make regarding God’s call. “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise... but patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). Still, persistent rebellion carries consequence, for “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

May we learn from the Canaanites’ tragic example and choose the way of repentance, mercy, and obedience. God’s justice is real—but so is His relentless love for those who turn to Him.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your patience and mercy. Help me to see the seriousness of sin and the beauty of Your grace. Teach me to turn away from anything that separates me from You. May I live in such a way that others see Your justice and love reflected in my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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