The Effects of Obedience. (Deuteronomy 7: 1-26)

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Episode Notes:

In this episode, we’ll dive into Deuteronomy Chapter 7, where Moses continues his second sermon by focusing on the positive consequences of obedience. This chapter reveals three key elements: commandments, consequences, and conditions for experiencing blessings. Let’s explore how obedience to God’s commands brings about divine blessings.

1: The Commandments (Deuteronomy 7:1-5)

Moses begins by giving specific commands to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land:

1. No Survivors (Verses 1-2): The Israelites are commanded to utterly destroy the nations inhabiting the land. This harsh command reflects God’s judgment against these morally corrupt nations and serves to protect Israel from their influence.
2. No Intermarriage (Verse 3): The Israelites are forbidden to intermarry with these nations, as such unions would lead them astray from God. This command anticipates the possibility of Israel failing to fully obey the previous command, thus emphasizing the need for separation from pagan practices.
3. No Idols (Verse 5): The Israelites must destroy all forms of idolatry in the land. Idols and their associated practices were to be completely eradicated to prevent Israel from being tempted into false worship.

These commands were given because Israel was chosen by God to be a holy people, set apart from other nations.

2: The Consequences of Obedience (Deuteronomy 7:12-15)

Moses then outlines the blessings that would follow if the Israelites obeyed God’s commands:

1. Mercy (Verse 12): If they obey, God promises to maintain His covenant with them, showing them mercy.
2. Blessing (Verses 13-14): God promises to bless them with prosperity in all areas of life—children, crops, and livestock. Obedience would lead to abundant material blessings.
3. Health (Verse 15): God promises to protect them from sickness and disease, ensuring their physical well-being.

These blessings are contingent on their obedience, highlighting the direct connection between following God’s commands and receiving His favor.

3: The Conditions for Experiencing Blessings (Deuteronomy 7:16-26)

Moses reiterates the conditions that must be met to experience God’s blessings:

1. Total Destruction of Enemies (Verses 16-20): The Israelites are reminded to destroy all the inhabitants of the land without pity and to avoid serving their gods. God reassures them that He will drive out these nations, little by little, until they are completely defeated.
2. No Fear (Verses 21-24): They are commanded not to fear their enemies but to remember God’s past faithfulness. By focusing on God’s power rather than their fears, they will have the strength to overcome any obstacles.
3. Destruction of Idols (Verses 25-26): The Israelites must destroy all idols and refrain from coveting their material wealth. These idols are abominations and must not be brought into their homes, as the

Transcript

The Effects of Obedience.  (Deuteronomy 7: 1-26)

Transcript

 When we hear about the consequences of our actions, we usually think of the negative outcomes of a bad choice. However, consequences are a two-edged sword—they can cut both ways. 

It’s true that there are negative consequences for bad decisions, but it’s equally true that there are positive consequences for good choices.

We’ve been studying the book of Deuteronomy, and in Chapter 7, Moses continues his second sermon by highlighting this time the positive consequences of obedience.

So, let’s shift our focus and look at the other side of this subject. In Deuteronomy Chapter 7, where we’ll explore the consequences of obedience—this time, focusing primarily on the positive outcomes.

Welcome to TBPDP….

In today’s episode we will see Moses present three key elements: commands, consequences, and conditions for experiencing those positive moments. The chapter naturally divides into these three sections, so we’ll begin with the first element—the commandments.

In Deuteronomy 7:1-2, Moses says:

"When the Lord your God brings you into the land which you go to possess, and has cast out 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 mightier than you— and when the Lord your God delivers them over to you, you shall conquer them and utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them nor show mercy to them."

Now, that’s quite an order. The first command here is straightforward: make no treaty and show no mercy—utterly destroy them. That’s quite a challenge to our modern ear but before we move on, there are several aspects of this passage that deserve closer examination.

First, notice that Moses specifically mentions seven other nations in this passage. Moses is likely mentioning the number seven, not just to list some of the nations already there but as a number of completions, to symbolize all the nations in the land without naming every single one. 

These particular nations, especially the Canaanites, were morally corrupt, and this command represents a severe judgment against them. They deserved to die because of the sins they had committed.

One commentary I read explains it this way: “The Canaanites were polluting the earth, and their presence posed a threat to Israel’s complete subordination to the will of the Lord. They were given a chance to repent over 400 years, but they refused, just as God had given the contemporaries of Noah 120 years to repent. This long period of grace shows that God is patient, but also just”. 

Now, after centuries of continued sin, judgment has come, and Israel is commanded to utterly destroy them—no covenants would be made, no mercy should be shown.

Another commentator notes that this command was not only a punishment for their unspeakable sins but also a measure to preserve Israel from contamination. God decreed that these Gentiles should be utterly eliminated, and every trace of idolatry destroyed.

This command to wipe out entire nations, including children, might seem harsh almost unethical to modern readers. It’s a difficult topic, so let’s take a moment to explore it further. 

One commentator, I read, did an excellent job of outlining the reasons why this judgment was justified, so I’ll share his insights with you:

The Canaanites deserved to die for their sins. Studies of their religion, literature, and archaeological remains reveal that they were among the most morally depraved cultures on earth at the time.

(www.knowingthebible.net/topical-studies/the-extermination-of-the-canaanites)

They persisted in their hatred of God, but had they repented, God would have spared them, as He spared the Ninevites who repented at the preaching of Jonah. But repentance seemed impossible for this group of people.

The Canaanites represented a moral cancer. The idea presented is that even if a child were left alive, that child could grow up to reintroduce idolatry and immorality, which would spread rapidly among the Israelites, potentially leading to the destruction of God’s people.

There were two mitigating factors:

Some point out that the death of a Canaanite child might have been a mercy. If the child died before reaching the age of accountability, it’s likely that their eternal destiny would be secure in heaven.

Remember that one day, Jesus Christ will return to judge the unrepentant wicked on the earth. The Bible never mentions the killing children in the New Testament accounts of the judgment.

So, there’s no contradiction between the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament. In both, He is revealed as a loving and righteous God, only allowing judgement to fall on those who have had an opportunity to repent and choose not to do so.

It’s worth also noting that under the New Testament there is never a command to engage in ‘holy war’. No war today can ever be described in such black and white terms as God is not working through one nation to establish His kingdom on earth at this time. 

It’s application today I believe is to stand as a command that Christians today should be as ruthless with the sin in our own lives as Israel was commanded to be against the Canaanites. 

Let’s move on to verse 3:

“Nor shall you make marriages with them. You shall not give your daughter to their son, nor take their daughter for your son.”

Do you notice anything unusual here? Does this strike you as strange? In verses 1 and 2, God commands that there be no survivors, yet in verse 3, He says not to marry any of them

What is going on? If they destroyed all the inhabitants of the land as commanded in verse 2, there would obviously be no case of intermarriage. So, what’s going on here?

The answer is that verse 3 anticipates the failure to fully obey the command given in verse 2. 

This is a fascinating passage of Scripture, and it reminds me of 1 Corinthians 7, where Paul says not to divorce your wife, but then acknowledges in the next verse, “But if you do…” 

The point is scripture always recognizes our humanity and depravity. So here, the second command is clear: no marriages, but if you do there will be consequences.

Then, in verse 4, Moses explains why:

“For they will turn your sons away from following Me, to serve other gods; so the anger of the Lord will be aroused against you and destroy you suddenly.”

Verse 4 gives the reason for the command in verse 3: God forbids intermarriage because it will lead the Israelites astray. That’s the point. 

Paul also illustrates this principle in 1 Corinthians 5, when he says, “Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough?” 

Moses is reminding the people that the Lord’s righteous sword cuts both ways—the Canaanites were being judged for their wickedness, and if the Israelites joined them in that wickedness, they would share in the same judgment.

So, the second command is no marriages.

The third command is found in verse 5:

“But thus you shall deal with them: you shall destroy their altars, and break down their sacred pillars, and cut down their wooden images, and burn their carved images with fire.”

The third command is that no idols should survive. The Israelites were to destroy all idols. He specifically mentions sacred pillars—examples of which still exist at sites like Gezer and Hazor. These were symbols of fertility rites in worship, practices that were grossly immoral as part of idolatry. Some suggest these rite involved child sacrifice. So, God is saying, “I want all of that eliminated.” Even the religious objects, which might arouse curiosity about false worship, all was to be totally eradicated.

So, the commands are clear: no survivors, no marriages, and no idols. Everything was to be destroyed.

Starting in verse 6 and going down to verse 11, Moses gives the reasons for these commands:

“For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.”

In other words, God says, “I don’t want you worshiping idols because I chose you for Myself. You are to be different from other nations—you are a holy people, chosen for Me. Therefore, I don’t want you worshiping idols.”

He continues in verse 7:

“The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; but because the Lord loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.”

This is crucial. Why are the Israelites to obey these commands? There are two fundamental reasons: 

First, God chose them, and second, He loves them. 

It’s interesting to see love embedded in the Mosaic Law, which we often think of as purely about rules. But love is woven throughout, and this passage is one illustration of that. 

Additionally, God mentions that He made a promise to their fathers, and He intends to keep it. So, God’s faithfulness is another reason to obey Him.

Think about that: God’s argument is, “I redeemed you, I love you, I chose you—so obey Me.” 

Moses concludes this section in verses 9 and 10:

“Therefore, know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments; and He repays those who hate Him to their face, to destroy them. He will not be slack with him who hates Him; He will repay him to his face.”

What’s important here is that Moses points out that God will judge those who hate Him. Despite centuries of opportunity to repent and turn to Him, these people did not. They hated Him, and that’s the reason for their judgment.

Finally, in verse 11, Moses says:

“Therefore, you shall keep the commandment, the statutes, and the judgments which I command you today, to observe them.”

So, Moses has commanded them strongly: no survivors, no idols, no intermarriage. And why? Because God chose them, loves them, and redeemed them. 

The next section of Chapter 7 shifts to the positive consequences of obeying these commands. In verse 12, Moses begins:

“Then it shall come to pass, because you listen to these judgments, and keep and do them, that the Lord your God will keep with you the covenant and the mercy which He swore to your fathers.”

Notice the transition: Moses just finished with the command to keep the commandments, and now he’s moving to discuss the blessings that will follow if they do.

Now, God reiterates the importance of keeping His commandments, saying, “Keep these commandments, and I will maintain the covenant I made with you, showing you mercy.” The consequence is clear: obedience results in God’s mercy.

It's worth noting that while God will never abandon the promise He made with the patriarchs , Abraham Isaac and Jacob. However, the people could forfeit the blessings of that covenant through their disobedience. 

This is critical. God will uphold His promise—He did so even when the first generation refused to enter the Promised Land and died in the wilderness. Because He raised up a second generation to through which he was able to fulfill the covenant He made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 

God will keep His promises, but whether an individual or an entire generation experiences the blessings of that covenant depends on their obedience to him.

If they are obedient, God will show mercy to them and keep His original covenant with Abraham.

So, the first consequence of obedience is mercy.

The second consequence is outlined in verse 13:

“And He will love you and bless you and multiply you; He will also bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your land, your grain and your new wine and your oil, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flock, in the land of which He swore to your fathers to give you.”

The first consequence was mercy; the second is blessing.

Broadly defined. These blessings include God’s love. Now, this might strike some as odd. Didn’t God already say He chose them because He loved them? Yes, but here, He says He will love them even more. 

This teaches us that while God loves everyone, there is a special, deeper expression of His love for those who obey Him. They experience His love in ways others can not.

But that’s not all. God promises here to multiply them:

Through descendants: “I will bless the fruit of your womb.”

Through prosperity: “I will bless the fruit of your land.”

So, God is saying, “Obey Me, and when you enter the land, I will ensure you have an abundant harvest: a bumper crop of children, produce, and livestock.” It’s a promise of material prosperity and multiplication in every area of life.

In verse 14, God continues:

“You shall be blessed above all peoples; there shall not be a male or female barren among you or among your livestock.”

What an incredible promise! God assures them that not a single woman will be barren, nor will any livestock fail to reproduce. But remember this is all contingent on their obedience. The promise is material and familial prosperity, setting Israel above all other peoples.

Now, you might be thinking, “Does this apply to us today?” Hang on; we’ll get to that later. For now, understand that this was God’s promise to Israel at that time—no ambiguity about it.

In verse 15, God adds another layer:

“And the Lord will take away from you all sickness and will afflict you with none of the terrible diseases of Egypt which you have known, but will lay them on all those who hate you.”

So, in addition to mercy and blessings, God promises physical health. He will remove sickness from among them and protect them from the diseases that plagued Egypt, protecting Israel from the ailments suffered by those around them.

So, these were the Old Testament consequences of obedience before entering the Promised Land.

Now, I began by discussing the consequences of obedience, which involved God’s commands and the blessings that follow. That should be the end of the discussion, but it isn’t. 

What follows in the rest of the chapter are what I’ll call “conditions.” God circles back to underscore and highlight some specific conditions for experiencing all these blessings.

Let’s examine these conditions.

In verse 16, God says:

“Also, you shall destroy all the people whom the Lord your God delivers over to you; your eye shall have no pity on them.”

We’ve heard this before. God is reiterating a command already given earlier in the chapter: destroy the inhabitants without pity. The latter part of verse 16 adds:

“Nor shall you serve their gods, for that will be a snare to you.”

Again, He’s told them to destroy all the idols. Now, He underlines the importance of this by warning that those idols will be a “snare”—a lure that will pull them away from Him. This term “snare” is powerful; it signifies bait, a trap set to entice them away from their devotion to God.

In verse 17, Moses then anticipates a possible objection from the people:

“If you should say in your heart, ‘These nations are greater than I; how can I dispossess them?’ you shall not be afraid of them, but you shall remember well what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt: the great trials which your eyes saw, the signs and the wonders, the mighty hand and the outstretched arm by which the Lord your God brought you out. So shall the Lord your God do to all the peoples of whom you are afraid.”

Verses 17 through 19 essentially instructs them to conquer and obey Him without fear. How do they overcome that fear? By remembering. Remember what God did to God’s enemies like Pharaoh and the Egyptians.

Remember the signs, wonders, and mighty acts of God.

This principle is crucial: when faced with fear, do not focus on the strength of the enemy; focus on the greatness of God. Concentrate on His power and His faithfulness. 

This is still an important spiritual principle for us today. When you are faced with something that causes fear, don’t concentrate on the fear itself. Instead, focus on the fact that the Lord has the strength and the power to overcome it.

In verse 20, Moses continues by saying:

“Moreover, the Lord your God will send the hornet among them until those who are left, who hide themselves from you, are destroyed.”

This verse transitions from what God has done in the past to what He will do in the future. The mention of “hornets” could be taken literally, meaning that God might send actual hornets to drive out the enemies, or it could be figurative, symbolizing the fear and panic that will overcome Israel’s enemies. 

Either way, the message is clear: the Lord will cause Israel’s enemies to flee as if they were being chased by a swarm of bees.

Moses then reassures them:

“You shall not be terrified of them, for the Lord your God, the great and awesome God, is among you.” “And the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you little by little; you will be unable to destroy them at once, lest the beasts of the field become too numerous for you.”

This is a powerful reminder that they need not be afraid because the “great and awesome God” is with them. The same God who delivered them from Egypt will be with them in these new battles.

This is an important spiritual principle: God doesn’t give victory all at once. Instead, He drives out the enemies “little by little.”

This concept of “little by little” is significant. It’s a reminder that spiritual maturity and victory over sin don’t happen overnight. It’s a process, a journey that requires time and persistence.

Just as God didn’t give Israel the land all at once, He doesn’t give us spiritual maturity all at once. We grow and conquer our spiritual battles gradually, one step at a time.

This gradual process would test the Israelites’ faithfulness. They would be tempted by the idolatry surrounding them on every side when they entered the land. That’s why it was crucial for them to remember what the Lord had done in the past and what He was capable of doing in the present.

Moses continues:

“But the Lord your God will deliver them over to you and will inflict defeat upon them until they are destroyed.”

(Numbers 7: 23)

This verse reiterates God’s promise of victory. He will deliver Israel’s enemies into their hands and ensure their complete destruction. Verse 24 reinforces this:

“And He will deliver their kings into your hand, and you will destroy their name from under heaven; no one shall be able to stand against you until you have destroyed them.”

The Israelites are assured of total victory, not just over the people, but over their kings as well. This is a promise of complete dominance in the land.

Then, in verse 25, the focus shifts to idols:

“You shall burn the carved images of their gods with fire; you shall not covet the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it for yourselves, lest you be snared by it; for it is an abomination to the Lord your God.”

Moses warns them not to covet the silver and gold on the idols. These items might seem valuable, but they are a snare. Taking them would be an abomination to the Lord. 

The most serious threat to Israel wasn’t just the people of Canaan, but the idols of Canaan and the gross immorality associated with their worship.

The battles the Israelites are about to face are not just physical but spiritual. They will have to destroy the idols when they enter the land to remain faithful to God.

In verse 26, he drives this point home:

“Nor shall you bring an abomination into your house, lest you be doomed to destruction like it; you shall utterly detest it and utterly abhor it, for it is an accursed thing.”

The Israelites were not to bring any of these dreadful idols into their homes. They were to utterly destroy them. 

As Matthew Henry, a commentator from a couple of centuries ago, observed, 

“All that truly love God hate what He hates.”

The Canaanites’ idolatry and sexual perversion were detestable to God, and they were to be detested by God’s people as well.

So, what’s the bottom line? Obedience to the Lord brings blessings. 

For the Israelites, these blessings were both material and spiritual. This whole chapter seven hammers home the importance of obedience, and the consequences of that obedience are clear: blessings, victory, and the presence of God.

Now, as we wrap up, and let’s summarise by highlighting some of the spiritual principles from this passage that apply to us today.

1. Always Remember God’s faithfulness.

Moses repeatedly tells the Israelites to “remember.” This is critical. When we face temptations or challenges, our natural tendency is to focus on the problem or the temptation itself. Moses teaches us that we need to remember the Lord—remember what He has done in the past, remember His faithfulness, and remember His power.

This is a vital spiritual discipline for us. In moments of fear or temptation, we should focus on God’s past faithfulness and His promises. This helps us to trust Him more fully in the present.

The simple act of remembrance can strengthen your faith and keep you focused on God’s goodness, especially in challenging times.

2. Remember God’s Blessings.

The first thing we’re called to do is to remember God’s blessings. Throughout Deuteronomy, the Israelites are repeatedly told to remember what God has done for them. 

When we face difficulties or temptations, we can easily become overwhelmed. But by remembering how God has acted in our lives, we can find strength and encouragement to face whatever comes our way.

When you’re tempted to doubt or despair, look back and remember God’s goodness and let them bolster your faith.

3. Obey God’s Commands.

The second thing we must do is obey God’s commands. There are two ways to approach obedience: out of duty or out of devotion. 

Deuteronomy 6 emphasizes loving the Lord with all your heart, soul, and strength, and Deuteronomy 7 emphasizes obedience to the Lord. 

Remember, these two chapters are part of the same sermon, showing us that true obedience flows from a heart of love and devotion.

Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). 

Obedience that springs from love is far more powerful and genuine than obedience that comes merely from a sense of obligation. When we love God, we naturally want to do what pleases Him. So, our obedience should be driven by devotion rather than duty.

4. Enjoy God’s Blessings.

Finally, when we remember God’s blessings and obey His commands, we will enjoy God’s blessings. 

It’s important to clarify, though, that the blessings promised to Israel in the Old Testament were often material, tied to their obedience in the land of Canaan. In contrast, the New Testament focuses on spiritual blessings.

In Galatians 5:16, we are told to walk in the Spirit, and in verse 22, we see that the fruit of the Spirit includes love, joy, peace, and other spiritual qualities. 

These are the blessings we are promised as New Testament believers. Just as the Israelites received their blessings little by little, so too do we grow spiritually over time. It’s a process that requires patience, persistence, and faith.

As we walk with the Lord, we experience these blessings gradually. Over time, we find that the struggles we faced as younger Christians may not trouble us as much because we’ve learned to rest in the Lord. We still fight spiritual battles, but we do so with greater confidence and peace, knowing that God is with us.

Conclusion

To sum it up:

Remember God’s blessings: Keep a record of God’s faithfulness to encourage you in tough times.

Obey God’s commands: Let your obedience be motivated by love and devotion, not just duty.

Enjoy God’s blessings: As you remember and obey, you will experience the spiritual blessings God promises, growing little by little in maturity and peace.

Proverbs 13:13 reminds us, “He who fears the command will be rewarded.” 

The Hebrew word for “rewarded” is “Shalom,” meaning we will be, rewarded with peace.

Obedience pays off—those who despise God’s Word will face destruction, but those who respect and obey it will be rewarded.

Remember that as a God of grace, no one who chooses to serve Him will do so in vain. God blesses all those who obey Him.